On 13 September, the Network participated in the high-level working luncheon convened by the President of the General Assembly, H. E. María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, at the United Nations Headquarters, to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration and Programme of Action on the Culture of Peace by the GA. On the side-lines of the event, the Network Executive Director spoke with his Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, the King of Ghana.
On 13 September, the Network participated in the high-level working luncheon convened by the President of the General Assembly, H. E. María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, at the United Nations Headquarters, to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration and Programme of Action on the Culture of Peace by the GA. The Declaration provides a universal mandate for the international community to promote a culture of peace and reject all forms of violence to ensure peace for future generations.
In his opening remarks, His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene (the King of the Ashantis), of Ghana highlighted the importance of a culture of peace in preventing and sustaining peace. He added there can be no SDGs or a culture of peace if the international community doesn’t adopt “a whole of society” approach and promote gender equality.
The luncheon brought together UN Member States and agencies, intergovernmental bodies, religious and traditional actors, and relevant stakeholders to discuss how to achieve the 2030 Agenda and it’s 17 SDGs, as well as how to promote a culture of peace.
For his part, the Executive Director, Mohamed Elsanousi, spoke in a round table discussion on the theme “Mobilizing the Capacity of Faith Actors for building Just, Peaceful and Inclusive Societies through Strengthening Intercultural and Interfaith Dialogue.” The Executive Director emphasized the importance of promoting best practices of inter-religious engagement and collaboration to advance peace. Only through dialogue and cooperation can we demystify the false narratives and negative attitudes surrounding religion and religious actors.
On the side-lines of the event, the Executive Director also spoke with his Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, the King of Ghana. The Executive Director expressed his appreciation to his Majesty, for his remarks, and introduced the Network and its role working with traditional leaders in peacebuilding efforts.
14 September 2019