Clergy from several faiths, joined by Universal Peace Federation International Chairman Thomas G. Walsh (fourth from right), stressed interfaith cooperation as part of the solution to benefit Africa’s families, communities and culture. (Photo credit: UPF-International)
 

The two-day First Africa Summit for Peace, Security and Sustainable Development, held in Dakar, Senegal, in January 2018, attracted some 1,200 participants and more than 100 speakers.

The conference began with the National Anthem of Senegal sung by the Little Angels Children’s Folk Ballet of Korea and interfaith prayers by Imam Cheikh Ahmed Tidiane Ciss (Senegal) and Archbishop Johannes Ndanga (Zimbabwe).

Cheikh Mansour Diouf, president of the Africa Summit 2018 Steering Committee, thanked Universal Peace Federation (UPF) co-founder Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon as living “for peace and only for peace that she would like to share with all of humankind.” He thanked Senegal President, H.E. Macky Sall, for convening the summit as an expression of his devotion to peace and also many members of the Senegalese government, traditional chiefs and youth leaders who lent their support to the event.

H.E. Dr. Nizar bin Obaid Madani, the minister of state for foreign affairs of Saudi Arabia, spoke about his nation’s efforts to promote dialogue and realize peace and justice. The country stands against terrorism and extremism, he said. “We all believe in the ideals of peace and freedom. Saudi Arabia has a Public Investment Fund, which supports joint African-Arab projects for human development, fighting poverty, solving conflict and standing against terrorism.”

H.E. Dioncounda Traor, president of Mali (2012-2013) and Africa co-chair of the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP), said that while the topic of peace has been tackled in many forums, UPF takes the unique approach that we are one human family created by God. Africa needs the will and determination to be the “New Africa,” the president said. “New governance — leaders, local partners and international — and countries that uphold universal values, particularly integrity and honesty, are needed to guide the continent forward.”

H.E. Mahamane Ousmane, president of Niger (1993-1996), said collective efforts to promote peace through interfaith dialogue are “crucial for peace and to empower the family as the foundation for the society. Africa cannot develop without peace.”