Sub Saharan Africa is one of the world’s most dynamic regions and includes six of the world’s ten fastest-growing economies. Despite robust economic growth and increasing commitment to democratic governance across the continent, vast income disparities and ethnic and religious conflict persist. From Nigeria to the Horn of Africa, tribal violence, radical insurgency movements, and conflict between Christians and Muslims threaten sustainable peace and development.
Africa is also in the midst of a significant demographic shift, with a population growing faster than any other region and a median age of just 18 years. The energy and innovation of young people offers promise, yet rising levels of youth unemployment and wide-spread social disaffection require creative and energetic political and civil society responses.
The Global Peace Foundation (GPF) is committed to engaging a new generation of African leadership to meet the continent’s development challenges and opportunities.
The major convening of political, religious, civil society, business, youth and women leaders at the Global Peace Leadership Conference in Abuja from November 7-9, 2013 at the Sheraton Hotel with the theme, ‘Moral and Innovative Leadership: Building Sustainable Peace for a Prosperous Future’ will:
– Build a coalition of peacemakers beyond religious, political, social, and ethnic/tribal differences to promote regional and national unity, integration, and of a culture of peace;
– Present a new approach to peace-building and development transcending economic, political diplomatic strategies, and grounded in shared spiritual and ethical values;
– Promote academic and ‘whole-person’ education that can empower children and youths to develop character and good citizenship as a society’s most valuable resource;
– Advance a Pan-African agenda for sustainable peace and development.
The Global Peace Festival Celebration will be on November 9 at the Eagle Square with the theme, ‘One Family Under God: Celebrating our Unity in Diversity.
