News
The Director-General meets the President of Angola, H. E. Jose Eduardo Dos Santos
On 26 March, UNESCO Director-General, Irina Bokova met the President of Angola, His Excellency Jose Eduardo Dos Santos, following the Pan-African Forum for a Culture of Peace that they opened together.
The Director-General thanked the President for his country鈥檚 generous offer to host the Pan-African Forum for a Culture of Peace and for his support to UNESCO鈥檚 action. She commended the Head of State鈥檚 determination and the political will of Angola to consolidate peace and strive for sustainable development. The Director-General reaffirmed UNESCO鈥檚 support to Angola鈥檚 initiatives.
The President recalled the longstanding cooperation between his country and UNESCO, and highlighted the importance, especially for young people, of the values of peace and reconciliation, tolerance and mutual respect, the knowledge of their own history and cultures. These issues should be included in education systems. The President underlined the importance of UNESCO鈥檚 support given the scope of its mandate.
With regard to the cooperation between UNESCO and Angola, both sides commended the signing of a Framework Agreement that will strengthen this cooperation.
The Director-General also met Mr Joao Louren莽o, Vice-President of the National Assembly. He highlighted the work undertaken by all parliamentarians, working together for the same goals in spite of different political affiliations. In April 2012, the Director-General had visited the National Assembly, in the framework of an official visit to Angola, where she met with women parliamentarians.
The Director-General also met Mr Erastus Mwencha, Vice-President of the African Union Commission (AUC). The meeting focused on the fruitful partnership between UNESCO and AUC, and the participation of the Director-General in the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the creation of OUA/UA.
