UNHCR

SCORP CIMSA

The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by unanimous United Nations resolution, celebrated every September 21st, and declared to “commemorate and strengthen the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and people.” Peace seeks to create a world free from violence and injustice as a lasting and sincere support of and for the people of the world. Therefore, peace must be constructed in the minds of everyone. Peace is so long in the making and must be preserved.

As war continues, hope is fading fast. We are all human; we have the same rights to live in peace in this world. Refugees are people just like you. The difference is they have been forced to flee their homes. This year, the International Day of Peace conducted by SCORP CIMSA Indonesia arranged a ground campaign which invites the UNHCR National Protection Officer: Isa Soemawidjaja, UNHCR Protection Associate (Community Based): Ratih Josthy Mautanha, and CWS Program Manager: Andi Juanda to deliver a seminar slash training session regarding refugees in Indonesia and how CIMSA members, specifically SCORP, can help make a difference in improving their quality of life after displacement. This seminar refreshed our perspective on the current status quo and introduced many new insights regarding international as well as domestic refugee issues. The session was also intermitted with interesting facts and statistics regarding the international refugee crisis and also interactive quizzes to test the audience’s understanding of the given topic. The speakers from UNCHR also extended their generosity by providing free official merchandise as prizes for the quiz winners.

The following session was a talk show hosted by the Liaison Officer for United Nations Agencies CIMSA Indonesia: Sherly and National Officer for Human Rights and Peace: Batara Bisuk Silalahi between the audience and the esteemed speakers. The audience, which included members of SCORP from far neighbouring locals such as region 4 and 5, engaged in the talk show with high enthusiasm and a lot of questions asked.

All in all, this activity was meant to celebrate the international day of peace as according to the CIMSA Program: Human Rights and Peace, to promote our ideals of peace, create a pressure against violence and injustice, alleviate the tensions, and break the cycle of retaliation. With that said, our aim is to gain understanding about the needs of these refugees so what we medical students may properly organise a well-catered effort in helping them, our brothers and sisters in humanity.