Windhoek
A total of 3 633 learners in Windhoek attended the UN4U, an annual educational initiative of the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), based on teaching learners about the fundamentals of the United Nations (UN).
“Learning about the UN gives learners something truly beneficial, such as a viewpoint on global issues, relevance of the organisation as a whole, covering areas such as peace and security, human rights, humanitarian assistance, social and economic development, and much more in an interactive, engaging and fun way,” says the Information Officer of UNIC, Anthea Basson.
The 2015 programme ended last week in Windhoek with a visit to the Bethold Himumuine Primary School in Katutura. The team was welcomed by a group of 520 learners, especially in Grade 5, 6 and 7, eager to know more about UN.
The UN4U presentation followed an engaging sequence starting with the history and ending with a video summarising all the facts the young children had learned. The learners were able to answer all the questions posed by the team and UNIC was proud of their in-depth knowledge of the UN. The group received UNIC Windhoek-branded pens at the end of the presentation.
UNIC also confirmed that the 2015 UN4U programme was a big success, with each school presenting a unique challenge, requiring a tailored approach.
“Bringing the message of peace and inspiring 3 633 children on the important mandate of the UN has been a rewarding and an important learning experience for the UNIC team. Each school group was different and had a particular interest and engaged differently. However, all the children agreed that without the UN, the world would not be what it is today, and many expressed a desire to one day work for the UN,” says Basson.
Learners at the school were also very pleased that UNIC selected their school for this year’s UN4U activities, and say the teaching was very insightful. According to Basson, the questions most learners asked were: how can learners help the UN to be more successful? Why doesn’t the UN take up arms in conflict situations? Where does the name United Nations come from? And, has the UN successfully stopped any wars?
“The Centre’s staff taught the learners about the UN’s history and aims, and gave clear explanations of how it works and what it can realistically achieve,” Basson explained.