On 19 August, the Scientific Committee of the Biennale of the Luanda gathered for a second time to discuss and prepare for the 2021’s Biennale of Luanda.
This meeting aimed at discussing and contributing to the 2021 Biennale programme and more broadly to continue their intellectual contribution on the priority issues affecting the African continent.
During this discussion the directors of the Institute for Peace and Security Studies of Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia (IPSS) and of the Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding (CCCPA) briefed the group and shared the outline of the Inaugural lesson on The State of Peace and Security in Africa in relation to cultural and identity diversity, which both institutes will be presenting during the Biennale.
They also spoke about the current state of security and peace in the continent, as well as about the existing African traditional mechanisms to address conflict root causes, which are going to be addressed during the inaugural lesson.
The group reaffirmed their profound commitment to continue contributing to the promotion of the culture of peace in the continent which should be defined as a continental approach which is essentially an African concept. Through its vision and insights, the group will make a significant contribution to the opening of the Biennale.
As result of its reflection, the committee also encouraged the organizational committee to highlight the role of social media in conflict prevention, the question of infodemic and misinformation and the need for peace communication in the Biennale programme.
The Committee agreed to continue its advisory work to the Biennale governing bodies and to launch a publication about “identities, cultures, science and shared values, towards an African Epistemology of Peace” during a dedicated session at the Biennale.
For more information on the Scientific Committee, please read this article, "African Cultures for Peace and Security".