Members of the Côte d'Ivoire Delegation meet with (top L-R) Director of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation Ry Moran, U of M President and Vice-Chancellor David T. Barnard and Vice-President (Research and International) Digvir S. Jayas. // Photo from Dan Gwozdz
Delegation from Côte d’Ivoire and UN gains insight from NCTR
A delegation from the United Nations and West African country of Côte d’Ivoire embarked last week on visit to National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR).
The delegation looked to gain knowledge to build on initiatives in Côte d’Ivoire focused on reconstruction and reconciliation, following years of conflict.
“We should collectively be very proud that they chose to come to the Centre,” said Ry Moran, Director of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation at the University of Manitoba. “After conducting research on similar centres across the world, they chose to come to the University of Manitoba. Our new friends are leaving with a host of information as they move forward in the creation of their archive to protect the truth about their county’s history.”
During the Côte d’Ivoire delegation’s visit, it met with Elders, Residential School Survivors, NCTR staff and Senator Murray Sinclair, who chaired the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
The delegation said the visit provided important insight.
“In deciding to come to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, we conducted a survey of institutions across the world and determined the Centre was the one we wished to visit,” said Yvon Alphonse Mabofe, Human Rights Officer, Transitional Justice Unit/Human Rights Division, United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire.
“It was a long way to come to Winnipeg but we leave feeling certain we made the right decision, having learned much from the Centre’s team about the process of Reconciliation,” said Mabofe.
During their visit, the delegation met with the U of M’s Vice-President (Research and International) Digvir S. Jayas and President and Vice-Chancellor David T. Barnard.
“This delegation visit reaffirms the importance of our commitment as an institution to Truth and Reconciliation and as the chosen host of the Centre,” said Barnard.
“Our researchers, staff and students are involved in or leading many internationally impactful endeavours like this one. We are proud to play a role in enriching our global community,” he added.
More details about the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire can be found online.
