UNDP HANDS OVER PEACE PROMOTING BILLBOARDS TO PEACE MINISTRY
permanent Secretary of the Ministry of National Unity, Reconciliation and Peace, Lennis Rukale. Photo credit: SIBC.
The United Nations Development Program, UNDP, has handed over billboards promoting peace to the Ministry of National Unity Peace and Reconciliation today.
Speaking during the handing over ceremony, UNDP Deputy Resident Coordinator to Solomon Islands Akiko Suzaki says the billboards complement peace building awareness campaigns implemented by the Ministry of National Unity, Reconciliation and Peace.
She says it is hoped that the billboards will provide Solomon Islanders with another opportunity to launch additional dialogue process to “think peace and live peace,” adding the billboards were created by Solomon Islands painters.
“The billboards being the objects of this handing over today complements peace building awareness building campaign implemented by the Ministry of National Unity, Reconciliation and Peace through community workshops and radio programs. The billboards were created by Solomon Islands painters and emphasis has been placed on the use of local symbols of the national unity, identity and harmony.”
Ms Suzaki adds, with the support of the Human Security Project, the billboards will be installed at hospitals, markets, airports and schools in Honiara and Auki on Malaita.
Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary responsible for Reconciliation and Peace Lennis Rukale thanked UNDP for being instrumental to assist the Ministry to promote peace in the country.
Speaking at today’s ceremony Mr Rukale says he believes UNDP’s work through UN’s Human Security Trust Fund and other related programs is instrumental in fostering peace through training and workshops.
He says the Billboards is a project started last year and today’s handing over is a major step forward in the advocacy they need to carry out in the communities.
“I believe that what we are here to accomplish and to witness this afternoon is a major step forward in the advocacy that we needed out in our communities.”
Over 10 billboards were handed over to the Ministry today and they will be sent to Guadalcanal and Malaita including Honiara.
Meanwhile, 20 young people of the Youth at Work have started giving out peace stickers and pamphlets to the public as of today.
The Billboard project is funded by the UN Trust Fund for Human Security in partnership with the Ministry of National Unity, Reconciliation and Peace, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, UNDP, UNICEF and International Labour Organization.