AU appoints ambassadors for Year of Peace and Security
July 21, 2010African Synod Proposition 21: Peace
“As peace is a universal good, depending on respect for everyone’s human rights and all creation, we should dedicate all of our energies to its service. The Synod therefore proposes that an African Peace and Solidarity Initiative be established to intervene in an act of solidarity and assist the local Church in conflict resolution and peace-building throughout the continent with its wise counsel on justice, peace and reconciliation. This initiative will draw on those within our Church who have experience, integrity and the respect of others….”
The Africa Union (AU) appointed 12 Advisory Council members and 14 Peace Ambassadors to support the implementation of the 2010 Year of Peace and Security. The chosen include the former Organization for African Union (OAU) Secretary General Salem Ahmed Salem, African Union Commission chairpersons Amara Essey, Alpha Oumar Konare, Nobel laureates Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Wangari Maathai, Senegalese singer Youssou N’Dour and other notable Africans drawn from different sectors of society, including political, business, sports, arts, culture and music.
They will be called to help mobilize popular support for the implementation of the Year of Peace and Security program, which includes working with the AU to organize a day without violence on September 21, the International Day of Peace.
“In order for the Year of Peace and Security to be successful, it is important that Africans take ownership and direct, as well as participate in the implementation of its program,” said AU Commission chair Jean Ping. She told the designated ambassadors present at the occasion of the appointment in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, “The successes and courage you have demonstrated in your own fields of endeavor will serve as inspiration to all of us, as we collectively tackle the challenge our continent faces today: The quest for permanent peace and security.”
See more about the efforts for the Year of Peace and Security in Africa at the Make Peace Happen website.