Luanda - The culture of peace and non-violence has an increasingly strategic relevance to the multilateral agenda, as it encourages dialogue, respect and tolerance between states, the Angolan representative to the United Nations, Francisco José da Cruz said on Friday.
According to the diplomat, who was speaking at the High-Level Forum on the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration and Programme of Action on the Culture of Peace, under the motto 'Cultivating and nurturing the culture of peace for present and future generations', this practice also has the ability to prevent conflicts and promote peace and security.
Quoted by a press release sent to ANGOP, he added that due to geopolitical tensions, peace remains illusory in several regions of the world, especially in Africa, a region where communities are involved in conflicts or live with the persistent danger of terrorism and extremism, as well as uncertainties of unconstitutional changes of government or indefinite political transitions.
In this context, he considered it essential to adopt participatory and inclusive forms of governance that can contribute to the promotion of a culture of peace, values, attitudes and behaviors that respect life and put human rights in the foreground.
Luanda Biennial
He stressed that, as part of its diplomatic strategy for the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts, and commitment to the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace, Angola has been hosting the Pan-African Forum for the Culture of Peace in Africa - Luanda Biennial, since 2019.
According to the diplomat, this is a joint initiative between Angola, UNESCO and the African Union that aims to nurture a Pan-African movement for a culture of peace and non-violence, through the establishment of a partnership between governments, civil society, the private sector and international organizations.
He added that the Luanda Biennale has as a strategic objective to promote a peaceful and prosperous Africa, with mechanisms to prevent conflicts through the management of national and cross-border natural resources on the African continent, educate a generation of young people as agents of peace, stability and development.
The actions aim, he said, to also avoid violence and defend the resolution of conflicts through culture and education, prevent conflicts arising from natural resources, leave no one behind, namely refugees, returnees and displaced people, among others.
In this context, the ambassador informed that the next Luanda Biennial is scheduled for October 2025, under the theme 'Promoting Education, Innovation and Sustainable and Inclusive Development for the Africa We Want', stressing that the presence of everyone is indispensable. VIC/DOJ
