Kathmandu, August 17

The United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific organised an event for Nepali youths on peace and disarmament education in commemoration of its 10th anniversary in the country and to mark International Day of Youth.

High school and university students from Kathmandu participated in the event. Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology of Nepal, the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the UN addressed the event.

Staff from UNRCPD gave a presentation on how the centre’s activities assisted states from Asia and the Pacific to achieve peace, security and disarmament goals. The event placed Nepali youths at centre stage with dynamic discussions on peace and disarmament issues and on practical approaches, ideas and actions on how they could be agents of change in their communities, promoting a culture of peace and non-violence.

On the occasion, Richard Howard, country director of International Labour Organisation and Nepal-Resident Coordinator Ad Interim of the UN, said it was an important time in Nepal’s history as the country had just come out of conflict.

Stating that Nepal had a stable government after a long time and a ‘well designed’ constitution in place, he said the efforts should be now focused on building lasting peace.

UNRCPD was established by the General Assembly in 1987 and has been operating in Kathmandu since August 2008.