Bologna, Italy - An Africa Day forum on May 25, 2014 in Bologna, Italy, was entitled: "Peace and Geopolitical Development in Sub-Saharan Africa."
Stefano Stefani, head of UPF-Bologna, talked about the reality of Africa and said: "Although this is the richest continent in the world regarding natural resources and the breadth and potential of the soil, the reality is that unfortunately Africa has many problems still unresolved.”
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The first speaker was John Mpaliza, a computer engineer who was born in Bukavu in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) and is living in Italy. After studying and working in Italy for 21 years, he recently committed himself to work full-time to help achieve peace in the DR Congo.
With the project "My Feet for Peace," John has walked every year in Italy and Europe calling attention to the plight of the Congolese people and their need for peace, justice and a true rule of law. According to a UN report, it is estimated that between 1998 and 2003, the war in the Congo caused between 5 and 6 million death; by now the total is 7 million people.
The second speaker was an intercultural mediator from Senegal and Ambassador for Peace, Joseph Wallace. Joseph has been living in Italy for 30 years, working as a foreman at a railway contract in Bologna. In addition to talking about the history of sub-Saharan Africa, he reflected on the concept of peace, which he said will not be a reality until poverty ends and women acquire more value. Moreover, he encouraged people to look beyond the challenges and consider them to be sources and instruments of personal and collective growth.
The last speaker, Carlo Zonato, national president of UPF-Italy, concluded on a positive note, describing the vision of UPF, an alliance of individuals dedicated to building a world of peace, freedom, love, prosperity and cooperation, reflecting the harmony of our Creator both individually and as families.
The annual celebration of Africa Day on May 25 remembers the historic day when 30 heads of state of the independent African nations came together in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to celebrate the liberation of Africa by the colonizing countries.