Nairobi - Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff

One of the Sarakasi Drummers at the UNON commemoration

Nairobi, 25 March 2009 - At least three hundred people participated in the UNON commemoration of the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade and the International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members.

This UNIC organized event included staff members and participants from the Kenya Model United Nations who interrupted their conference schedule to take part in the Remembrances.

The event got underway with 6 drummers, from a community group called Sarakasi Drummers, beating the drums in the main lobby of the UNON headquarters. With the area thronging with students and staff members, and pulsating with the sounds of the drumming, Charles Emer, Chief Information and Communication Technology Section, explained the meaning of the drumming and what it represented on this solemn day. He was followed by UNEP's Director of Communication and Public Information, Satinder Bindra, who called for a minute of silence in remembrance of the victims of slavery and then read the Secretary-General’s Message.

The audience cheered loudly when they were treated to the Model UN Secretary-General, Brenda Malowa, reading the UN Secretary General’s message for the International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members. She was followed by Roger Lewis, Deputy Chief of Security, UNON who talked about the difficulties staff faced by working in hazardous places. He also called for the immediate release of all detained staff members so that they could rejoin their families and colleagues.

Throughout the programme, staff and students alike, were visibly moved and delighted with the rhythmic sounds generated by the Sarakasi Drummers.