Luanda: Minister of State and Chief of Staff of the President of the Republic, Dionsio Manuel da Fonseca, advocated on Friday in Luanda for the importance of building bridges of dialogue that enable efforts toward a better world. Dionsio Manuel da Fonseca, speaking at the closing of the third edition of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) initiative, noted that such bridges of dialogue aim to uphold human dignity and preserve life.
According to Angola Press News Agency, preserving life, peace, and security requires avoiding conflict by prioritizing dialogue. However, he noted that this dialogue must entail active listening, which involves reflection and the acceptance of differing options and choices across all areas. In his remarks, he expressed his conviction that the conference had been highly productive, yielding useful insights for the ongoing work to improve service to citizens.
Addressing young people in particular, he noted that preserving peace and sustaining the development process depends on their engagement, as they represent both the present and the future of the nation. He argued that building a better world-one that respects multilateralism-requires strong states and institutions.
Dionsio da Fonseca further stated that it is the mission of all Angolans to ensure a strong state, as only then can the country stand on equal footing with other nations in the international arena. The third edition of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) initiative took place under the theme "Call for Peace, an End to Wars, and Respect for International Law," addressing topics such as the "Role of Religious Leaders and Faith in Promoting Dialogue and Peaceful Coexistence" and "Youth as Partners in Prevention: Building a Culture of Peace for Future Generations."
Topics addressed included 'Women on the Frontlines of Peace: Strengthening Inclusive Approaches to Dialogue' and 'Contemporary Conflict Dynamics: Addressing the Impact of Mercenary Activities on Peace, Security, and Social Cohesion.' Established in 2005 at the initiative of the United Nations, the Alliance of Civilizations seeks to reduce tensions between cultural and religious communities, promote intercultural dialogue, and combat extremism.
The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) launched the initiative dedicated to the African continent in 2022, aiming to strengthen intercultural dialogue, promote peace, prevent extremism, and foster sustainable development. The first edition of the initiative took place from November 22 to 24, 2022, in Fez, Morocco, while the second was held on August 29 and 30, 2024, in Praia, Cabo Verde.
