The Pan-African Forum titled “Africa:Sources and Resources for a Culture of Peace”was jointly organized by UNESCO, the African Union and the Government of Angola. Director General of UNESCO Ms. Irina Bokova had an opening speech which was followed by a speech of the President of Angola, H.E. Jose Eduardo Dos Santos, and the opening ceremony was closed by the Vice President of the African Union, H.E. Erastus Mwencha.The Forum gathered over 300 experts(decision makers, business leaders, thinkers and artists) and its goal was to harness Africa’s sources of inspiration and cultural, natural and human resources to establish concrete proposals for building and developing sustainable peace.Special emphasis was placed on engagement of the African Youth who make up 65 % of Africa’s population.The Forum also provided the setting for the launch of the “Make Peace Happen” campaign.This regional movement will galvanize actors from all sectors of African society, to promote a culture of peace, and sensitize public opinion,particularly the opinion of young people, on ways to construct and consolidate peace and nonviolence in daily life.

The Pan-African Forum “Africa: Sources and Resources for a Culture of Peace” prepared an Action Plan focused on prevention of violence and the resolution of conflicts in Africa which will be submitted during the upcoming summit of the AU Head of States in May taking place in Addis Ababa.