The Words of the Balcomb Family
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The Words of the Balcomb Family |
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at Africa Day cutting the cake with Ambassadors of 17 countries celebrating 50 years of independence at the Manhattan Center.
New York, United States - Speaking at the New York City celebration of Africa Day, May 25, 2010 hosted by the African Union and the United Nations African Ambassadors' Spouses Group (UNAASG), in partnership with the Universal Peace Federation, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that peace and sustainable development in Africa was one of the world body's priorities, and outlined a major personal effort that will take him to the continent no less than three times in the coming month.
"By consistently reminding the international community of its responsibility to the most vulnerable, and affirming that we are all members of a global family of nations, Africa has helped to reshape the global agenda," he said. "That partnership continues, and every UN entity is working closely with African partners to tackle internal strife, attempts at unconstitutional changes of power, violence against civilians -- especially women -- the challenges of youth unemployment, and the burdens of disease, climate change and food insecurity."
"Still, we must do more, and we will," he said. Next month, the UN Secretary-General is scheduled to visit a Millennium Village in Malawi to assess first-hand the progress being made towards the UN Millennium Development Goals. "The evidence is encouraging," he said, "and suggests that when we make real efforts, we can succeed. But if we don't, we fail."
Earlier, messages marking the 47th Africa Day and the 50th Anniversary of Independence for 17 African nations were read on behalf of the President of the General Assembly by H.E. Mr. Michel Tommo Monthe, Ambassador of Cameroon, Vice-President of the UN General Assembly and Chair of the Africa Group for the month of May. He was followed by H.E. Mr. Téte António, Permanent Representative of the African Union.
"As we join with the nations celebrating their 50th Anniversary of Independence," H.E. António said, "it is also time to strategically assess the challenges and opportunities facing our continent, especially with regard to the twin issues of peace and security." Dr. Taj Hamad, Secretary General of the Universal Peace Federation, spoke about the role of the family and living in service for others to create a world of peace.
After cutting the cake celebrating the 50 years of Independence of 17 African nations, the more than 600 guests in attendance turned their attention to an amazing and festive banquet featuring food from all 53 African nations, prepared with a great deal of care and attention by respective members of the UN African Ambassadors' Spouses Group, headed by President Désirée Juliette Tendeng Badji, who also addressed the gathering.
As the evening continued, the Manhattan Center resonated with the sounds of a musical journey across Africa with songs from Senegal, rhythmical drum beats of Nigeria and Ghana, dances from Egypt, dynamic Rai music from Algeria, griot singers Mali, and many, many more. It was indeed a worthy celebration of the contribution that Africa has made and is making to the world community.
The growing role of Africa as a sporting power was another theme of the evening, with several speakers looking forward to the upcoming FIFA World Cup in South Africa. This year, Africa has an unprecedented six teams competing in the world's biggest sporting event. "By presenting sport as a powerful instrument for peace promotion, we would like to reassert our faith in the values inherent to sports which are consonant with universal values and our shared African values," said African Union President Jean Ping, in written remarks.
UPF Worldwide Africa Day Celebrations: In Moscow, UPF joined the Russian Academy of Sciences Institute of Africa in a conference on "Africa Day -- 50 years of Freedom." In partnership with one of the largest Russian interethnic NGOs, the Assembly of the Peoples of Russia, UPF then celebrated Africa Day in the House of the Peoples of Russia in a joyful program attended by many African ambassadors. Other UPF celebrations took place in Washington DC, and as far afield as London, Montreal, Stockholm, Delhi, and Kathmandu.