ICC reaches out to teachers from the Lango and Teso sub-regions of northern Uganda
Press Release
ICC reaches out to teachers from the Lango and Teso sub-regions of northern Uganda
ICC-CPI-20080623-PR328
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Between 17 and 19 June 2008, the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) Field Outreach Unit in Uganda concluded two training sessions for secondary school teachers from the Lango and Teso sub-regions. One-hundred participants were selected from 80 secondary schools in the districts of Amolatar, Lira, Dokolo, Oyam and Apac in the Lango sub-region and from the districts of Katakwi, Soroti, Amuria, Kaberamaido, Kumi and Bukedea, in the Teso sub-region.
In order to complement and sustain the efforts of the on-going school outreach programmes, the Outreach section identified the need to train teachers because of the intricate part they play in disseminating information both at school and in their communities. Teachers are also an ideal target group to enhance the continuous support of ICC activities and ownership of the Court processes, as they influence opinion on issues both amongst school going students and members of the community. Among the many outreach initiatives, these sessions were intended to provide teachers with accurate information on the Court and foster greater understanding of how the Court operates.
Presentations were made on the mandate and activities of the Court, including victim participation and reparation issues. In addition, information was provided on the position of the Court regarding the non-prosecution of persons below the age of 18 when the alleged crimes were committed.
The team responded to a number of questions ranging from the work of the Outreach Unit, victims issues and the Trust Fund for Victims. In their contributions, the teachers urged state parties to fulfil their obligations and to expeditiously arrest the suspects named in the ICC arrest warrants and surrender them to the Court.
Speaking on behalf of the teachers at the end of the sessions, the Chairman of the Ugandan National Teachers Union (UNTU) thanked the ICC for targeting them and pledged their commitment to working with the Outreach Unit to strengthen the schools outreach programme. They also made a commitment to disseminate information about the Court to pupils, teachers and parents at school meetings and to their communities.
For more information, please contact Maria Mabinty Kamara, Field Public Information and Outreach Co-ordinator for Uganda, tel: +256-77-2700655, email: [email protected]