ICC intensifies school outreach activities in the Acholi sub-region of Uganda
Press Release
ICC intensifies school outreach activities in the Acholi sub-region of Uganda
ICC-CPI-20080404-PR304
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Between 15 – 19 March, the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) Kampala Field Outreach Unit co-ordinated school outreach activities at three senior schools in the Acholi region,of northern Uganda. Altogether, over 3, 500 students and teachers from St. Joseph’s College in Gulu, Kitgum High School and Y.Y.Otok Memorial School attended.
The activities were organised in co-operation with the school administrations and student leaders. Consistent with the Court’s outreach strategy, the schools outreach programme is designed to provide accurate information about the Court amongst school children, thereby promoting a better understanding of how the Court works and creating a network for the younger populace.
The sessions were interactive and the students were encouraged to use role play to act out the roles of the various courtroom participants during Court sittings to explain how judicial procedure works. Students were able to raise any concerns and many asked questions about how the Court treats children who are victims and witnesses and what roles children can play before the Court.
Outreach and Victim Participation and Reparations Section (VPRS) officials gave presentations on the role of the ICC, highlighting the crimes within the jusrisdiction of the Court currently being investigated in northern Uganda.
In their closing remarks, the schools head teachers thanked the ICC for including children in the outreach programme and urged the Court to visit other schools throughout the region. Recommendations were also made regarding the opportunity to train teachers in each school that would serve as a focal point for further outreach activities.
For more information, please contact Ms Maria Mabinty Kamara, Field Public Information and Outreach Co-ordinator for Uganda, tel: +256-77-2700655, email: [email protected]