Luanda - The President of the Republic, João Lourenço, wrote this Tuesday that peace and national reconciliation are intrinsic values to Angola that must be exported across borders by every Angolan person.
On his Facebook page, he stated that the Luanda Biennale is an important instrument for promoting a culture of peaceful coexistence on the continent.
He stressed that the meeting should influence politicians and civil society, as peace and non-violence are synonymous with development.
He recalled that the Luanda Biennale, an initiative of the Republic of Angola, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the African Union (AU), runs from Wednesday until Friday.
"Welcome to Luanda", wished the Head of State to the more than 850 participants from 62 countries and over 50 partners, with emphasis on African statesmen.
The event will bring together, as speakers, the former presidents of Nigeria, Mozambique and Malawi, Olusengu Obasanjo, Joaquim Chissano and Joyce Banda, respectively.
The list of speakers also includes the presidents of the African Union, Azali Assoumani, the African Union Commission, Moussa Mahamat, and the African Union Advisor, Kgalema Motlanthe.
The presence of the presidents of Cabo Verde, José Maria Neves, São Tomé and Príncipe, Carlos Vila Nova, and of Ethiopia, Sahle-WorkZewed, as well as the vice-president of Namibia, Nangolo Mbumba, and the prime minister of Guinea Equatorial, Manuela RokaBotey are also confirmed.
To this end, six dialogue panels are scheduled, in a round table format, of which the first panel called the High-Level Intergenerational Dialogue stands out, which will have heads of State as speakers.
To ensure broad participation, the forum will adopt a hybrid session format, with on ground and virtual participation on the first and second day.
The program also includes parallel activities, such as a musical concert by ResiliArt Angola, with Cabo Verdean, Cameroonian and Angolan singers, an arts exhibition and a performance by the national dance group Sassa Tchokwé, as well as moments by gospel music artists.
Among the results expected in this 3rd edition of the Luanda Biennale, the highlight is the deepening of the sharing of visions on the culture of peace, security, African citizenship, democracy on the continent, with the construction of more peaceful societies, transforming attitudes and approaches in the areas of politics, economy and culture, to strengthen the pillars of the continent's integral progress.
Coordination with the African Union is also expected for the preparation and implementation of the continent's activities inherent to Peace and Reconciliation in Africa, due to the designation of the President of the Republic, João Lourenço, as Champion of Peace and Reconciliation of the African Union.
The Luanda Biennale serves as a platform for implementing the "Action Plan for a Culture of Peace in Africa/We Act for Peace", adopted in March 2013, in Luanda, at the Pan-African Forum "Sources and Resources for a Culture of Peace ".
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