THE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

The state of the world is alarming, and it seems that its leaders have not learned the lessons of World War II. No conflict can be resolved through the use of force. It is through dialogue, the power of the mind, and respect for international law that we can put an end to wars and prevent confrontations between states that possess nuclear weapons. To ensure world peace, we must:
- Revise the United Nations system as a whole to adapt it to our times and enable it to act more effectively.
- Promote international cooperation based on the principle of the equal dignity of states and peoples.

In highly sensitive situations, I have consistently worked alongside heads of state and high-ranking political figures. For 26 years, I served as Executive Secretary of the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize at UNESCO. There, I served on a jury chaired successively by Henry Kissinger and Mario Soares. It became clear to me then that, to ensure world peace, the power of dialogue is greater than that of weapons. Peace and the future of the world will depend above all on dialogue among civilizations, mutual appreciation of cultures, the promotion of education, democracy, interfaith respect, and the defense of human rights. To the best of its ability, OPADE will contribute to the realization of these major endeavors, particularly in Africa. In cooperation with prestigious foundations, OPADE organizes expert meetings on interfaith dialogue and terrorism in the Sahel, and discreetly undertakes mediation efforts in Africa. Through its Peace and Dialogue Award, OPADE aims to honor the men, women, and institutions working to promote peace and human brotherhood.

Alioune Traoré - PRESIDENT OF OPADE (Biography).