Luanda - The third edition of the Pan-African Forum for the Culture of Peace and Non-Violence (Luanda Biennale) is starting this Wednesday under the motto “Education, Culture of Peace and African Citizenship as Tools for the Development of the Continent”.
The forum will feature a total of six dialogue panels, in a round table format, of which the 1st Panel called the High-Level Intergenerational Dialogue stands out, which will have heads of State and representatives as speakers.
This edition has 20 international speakers and 10 national ones.
Highlights include Heads of State and Government, advisors from the African Union, president of the African Union Commission, commissioners from the African Union, Deputy Director General of UNESCO, ministers, representatives of religious Institutions, young Angolans, Africans and others staying overseas.
At national level, 92 members of the Central Government, 6 members of the local Government, 34 members of the Legislative Branch, 10 members of the Judicial Branch, 61 representatives of the Diplomatic Corps accredited in Angola are invited.
A total of 382 members from the private sector and civil society will also be present, including academics, association leaders, business leaders from different sectors of economic and social activities, professional orders, political parties, as well as religious and traditional authorities.
To ensure broad participation, the forum will adopt a hybrid session format, with on ground and virtual participation on the first and second day.
Likewise, parallel activities are planned within the scope of the Luanda Biennale, with the holding of the first National Ecumenical Conference on the Retrieval of Moral, Civic and Religious Values, organized by the Council of Christian Churches of Angola (CICA).
The event will also include a musical concert by ResiliArt Angola, with Cabo Verdean, Cameroonian and Angolan singers, which will take place at Shopping Fortaleza, in an initiative between UNESCO and the Angolan Government, promoted by AmericanSchoolof Angola, dedicated to education, art and culture.
During the three days, the forum will also observe an arts exhibition and the performance of a national Sassa Tchokwé Dance group, 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, on his role as Champion for Peace and Reconciliation of the African Union.
It is also intended to reinforce reflection on the advantages of implementing quality education, African citizenship, continental integration, climate action, the use of renewable energy and information and communication technologies, the women empowerment, as well as the consolidation of democratic governance and the rule of law in Africa.
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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