This year, to mark the International Day of Peace observed on 21 September, students from Boston Media House and the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) were invited to engage with peacekeepers in the aim of gaining a stronger understanding of the work in the fields of conflict resolution, peace and security. ACCORD in partnership with the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Pretoria, visited the tertiary institutions and encouraged the media and communication students from the respective universities to write articles on their interpretation of peacekeeping in Africa. The best article will be featured on the UNIC and ACCORD websites. This visit presented the opportunity to reinforce the importance of peace and encourage students to promote it in their immediate environment.

Each year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21 September. The United Nations General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples. The Day’s theme for 2016 is “The Sustainable Development Goals: Building Blocks for Peace.”

The seminar was held on 21 September 2016 at the Boston Media House Arcadia and later at the TUT Soshanguve North Campus. The speakers were Mr Ambrose Toolit from UN Volunteers and Mr Kwezi Mngqibisa from ACCORD.