Resources

The Pan-African Forum “ Sources and resources for a culture of peace” was held in Luanda, Angola, from 26 to 28 March 2013, and was jointly organized by UNESCO, the African Union and the Government of Angola, under the High Patronage of H. E. Mr José Eduardo dos Santos, President of the Republic of Angola. This forum was the result of a close cooperation between UNESCO and the African Union, one of their main objectives being building peace in Africa, through the promotion of a culture of peace based on the intrinsic values of African societies. The Republic of Angola Government, through its President of the Republic H. E. Mr José Eduardo dos Santos, resolutely engaged in this process with major financial and technical support for the organization of the Forum in the Angolan capital city. As indicated in the Action Plan adopted by the participants in plenary (Annex I), recommendations made during the Forum are directed at all components of African society : political leaders, national and regional institutions, civil society, community associations, youth movements and women’s organizations, religious and traditional leaders, entrepreneurs and leaders from the private sector, etc. The implementation of the Action Plan will be continuously monitored by the two institutions that jointly organized the Luanda Forum, the African Union and UNESCO. Representatives from the 55 African countries participating in the Forum will both contribute to the proposal for action by bringing their national experience and take the lead in the follow‐up of the recommendations made at country level. In order to ensure this follow‐up it will be important to link together the participants by the creation of an African Network for the Promotion of a Culture of Peace and Non‐violence. The representatives of African countries will play the role of focal points of the awareness campaign at the national level. Finally, the agenda of the Forum includes a plan to hold a roundtable on the establishment of a multi-stakeholder partnership for action. Organized with the participation of regional institutions, public and private economic actors as well as representatives of Governments and Civil Society, this session will be the occasion to launch a continental and lasting Movement for the promotion of a culture of peace. For this round table and for the Campaign, the stakeholders can now witness the action as their Foundation / Company / Institution / Organization leads to help in building the defence of peace in the minds of men and women and ensure that peace is a reality: "Make Peace Happen".