26 October 2009 | UNMIL | PR 57
On the occasion of the 64th Anniversary of the founding of the United Nations Organization, Special Representative Ellen Margrethe Løj assured Liberia's young people that United Nations peacekeepers are here to give the necessary space for Liberia and Liberians to rebuild the country. "They are here to protect the people of Liberia and to ensure that you will never have war in Liberia again," she said.
Ms. Løj addressed hundreds of young Liberians gathered at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium on 23 October to mark UN Day. Although officially celebrated on 24 October, Liberians and the UN family in Liberia organized a number of events across the country, including sports and outreach to schools by peacekeepers, to spotlight the achievements made in the recovery and reconstruction of the country since the end of the war in 2003.
"You did not create that war. You were victims of it," Ms. Løj said, and assured them that UN peacekeepers are in the country to keep the peace and protect Liberians as they embark on efforts to achieve economic development, uphold human rights, establish good educational and health facilities, and provide equal opportunities for women and girls.
The Special Representative highlighted UNMIL Radio's efforts to give a voice to young people and its offer to let them take over the airwaves once a year. The programme's popularity among young Liberians prompted UNMIL Radio to establish a special Y-FM channel with programming run and facilitated by young Liberians.
In his speech at the gathering, Vice-President Joseph N. Boakai urged the United Nations to confront threats to Liberia's fragile security in light of political developments in neighbouring countries as well as 'soft threats' such as poverty, the spread of infectious diseases, gender violence, and drug trafficking. He also voiced the Government of Liberia's commitment to promote reconciliation and uphold the tenets of democracy that guarantee the rights of all Liberians.
This year's UN Day celebrations featured young and upcoming talent including a performance by Nicholas Buigar, winner of the UNMIL "Star is Born" competition. Buigar lends his musical talent to issues that focus on youth empowerment and was a runner-up in the West African 'Project Fame' competition that concluded in Nigeria recently.
Similar celebrations were held in the counties and in Monrovia. The day's events were capped by a cultural night at UNMIL's logistic base, during which the various nationalities represented in the Mission exhibited their cultural and culinary traditions.
