Emilie Shimbali
Terence Mukasa
United Nations resident coordinator in Namibia Sen Pang has said UN Day offers an opportunity to amplify the common agenda and reaffirm the purpose and principles of the UN Charter for the past 76 years.
“Under the theme of ‘Building Resilient Communities’, we engage our youth today – the future of the Land of the Brave – to commit to working towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals to fast-track development and ensure no one is left behind,” said Pang during the commemoration of the 76th anniversary of the UN Charter this week at the After School Centre in Katutura.
The centre focuses on disadvantaged children such as street children and children from poor families and communities in Windhoek.
Pang stressed on climate change and how it is greatly affecting Namibia, and called upon everyone to protect and restore ecosystems, build resilient infrastructure and work together at all levels of society.
“As we plant fruit trees today and support your sustainable garden enhancing the centre’s food security, let us remember the value of this noble task and the rewards it can give to more youth,” he said.
Sakaria Hipandura (17) from the Immanuel Shifidi Secondary School thanked the UN team for offering trees to the After School Centre and promised to take good care of them.
“I would like to thank everyone for taking their time in honouring the UN Day. Let us all unite and join hands in striving for sustainable development,” said Hipangura.
Sheila Roseau, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Namibia representative, said the country continues to be affected by climate change, and urged Namibians to accelerate the protection and restoration of ecosystems, as well as the construction of resilient infrastructure and agriculture.
She said that with the announcement that the UN will host the 26th Climate Change Conference at the end of this month, there is an urgent call for nations all over the world to band together and combat climate change.
During similar UN Day celebrations across town in Hochland Park, Miss Namibia 2021 Chelsi Shikongo announced the theme for UN Day ties in well with her plans of uplifting communities, saying urban gardening is crucial for food security.
Shikongo informed the gathering at the Ecumenical Social Diaconate Action (ESDA) offices that she has already secured a location in the Erongo region for the construction of an urban garden and a soup kitchen to feed orphans and other vulnerable members of society.
Veronica Theron from the office of the First Lady used the opportunity of UN Day celebrations to advocate about social ills such as gender-based violence (GBV), saying it knows no social, economic or national boundaries.
“We need to strengthen survivor-centred health systems, where any woman or girl can receive appropriate care and feel supported to seek such care in the first place,” she said.
The UN Day celebration was complemented by the planting of fruit trees at the Katutura After School Centre as well as at ESDA, a welfare organisation that looks after abused women and children.