Bamako, Mali - UPF International Chairman Dr. Charles S. Yang and the Regional Chair of UPF-Africa Mrs. Kathy Rigney arrived in Mali on April 2, 2014 bringing a letter of invitation to the former president and his wife to the Summit on Peace, Security and Human Development Aug. 9-13, 2014. This was part of a recent tour of several African nations to meet to meet with heads and state and government and other high officials to brief them about the work of UPF.
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The delegation was welcomed at the airport by former first lady, Mme. Mintou Doucouré Traore, and her daughter. On April 3, Dr. Yang delivered a gift to Mme. Traore for her NGO, ADAP-Mali, on behalf of UPF Co-founder Mrs. Hak Ja Han Moon and presented to her and her husband, former President Dioncounda Traore, an invitation to the upcoming summit in Korea.
There is a growing awareness among people throughout the world of the urgent need for innovative vision and bold leadership if we are to resolve the critical issues of our time. With this in mind, the World Summit convened by UPF and affiliated organizations will bring together world leaders whose individual and collective experience, wisdom and insight can help promote peace and prosperity for all the world’s peoples. In addition to the high-level sessions of the World Summit, delegates will have opportunities to meet with officials representing the government, academia, the private sector and the media.
Two Muslim leaders met with the delegation: Cheick Cherif Ousmane Madani Haidara, leader of the Ançar Dine Islamic association, and Cheick Soufi Bilal Diallo, leader of a Sufi Muslim community in Mali, as well as Archbishop Jean Zerbo of the Roman Catholic diocese of Bamako.
Other meetings took place with the president's chief of staff, Mr. Toumani Djime Diallo; the minister of national education, Hon. Togola Jacqueline Marie Nana; and the head of Mali's Commission for Dialogue and Reconciliation, Mr. Salia Sokona. Dr. Yang and Mrs. Rigney addressed members of Fenacof-Mali, a women's NGO headed by Mme. Oulematou Sow.
On April 6, the delegation departed for South Africa.