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PSVI Student Debate in Astana, Kazakhstan

On June 12 the British Embassy Astana has organised a students’ debate on Prevention of Sexual Violence in Conflicts in Astana, Kazakhstan.

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Greg Quinn

On June 12 the British Embassy Astana with support of the Kazakh Law and Humanities University has organised a students’ debate on Prevention of Sexual Violence in Conflicts. US Embassy, UNICEF and EU Delegation to Kazakhstan participated in the event. This debate is a part of the Global Event Relay launched by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office to mark the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflicts which took place in London from 10 to 13 June. Some 70 British Embassies across the globe conducted different activities in support of this summit. All to help demonstrate that sexual violence is completely unacceptable.

Time to Act

Greg Quinn, British Chargé d’Affaires, noted

I would like to thank the students who are taking part in this debate for their desire to discuss the very real problem of sexual violence in conflicts. I am also grateful for the support given to us by the Kazakh Law and Humanities University in organising this event. Finally, I am also grateful to the representatives of the EU Delegation, US Embassy and UNICEF office in Kazakhstan for supporting what we are doing here today.

Therefore with the University’s help we are today hosting a debate to allow you – the young people of Kazakhstan – to have their say on this problem.

As the Foreign Secretary, the Rt Hon William Hague MP, said

We are convinced this is an issue of international peace and security, that is central to conflict prevention, that it is fundamental to the advancement of women’s rights everywhere, and above all that it is a moral issue for our >generation.

You can find other images of this debate on Flickr

Published 16 June 2014