Kampala, Uganda— Global Peace Foundation (GPF) Uganda hosted the Global Peace Leadership Conference (GPLC) on August 1-2 under the theme, “Moral and innovative leadership: new models for sustainable peace and development.”

From left: H.E. Gaston Sindimwo, First Vice President, The Republic of Burundi; H.E. Salva iir Mayardit, President, The Republic of South Sudan; Dr. Hyun Jin P. Moon, Founder & Chairman, Global Peace Foundation; H.E. President Yoweri Museveni, President, The Republic of Uganda; Dr. Amani Abeid Karume, former President Zanzibar

The strategic summit for educators, business leaders, clerics, and parliamentarians explored regional peace and security issues and discussed innovative approaches to build social cohesion, advance excellence in education, improve economic opportunity, increase youth productivity, support women’s empowerment, and address critical community development needs. With such notable delegates as the President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni, and Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, the conference was comprised of leaders from 16 countries, including the United States, India, Nigeria, South Korea, Tanzania, and Kenya.

Traditional dancers welcome delegates at GPLC 2018 opening reception

Addressing the hotbed of conflict in Africa’s Great Lakes region, Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda stated the relevance of the theme in building regional peace saying, “It further echoes the urgent call for countries to build consensus on responses towards pressing regional challenges guided by a shared vision, principles, aspirations, and innovative value-based approaches to peace building, security and development.”

The conference highlighted the One Family Under God campaign, a project of GPF Nigeria now in its fifth year that engages religious and spiritual leaders and civil society partners to counter violent extremism and foster community-level social cohesion through partnerships and grassroots programs that stress universal principles and shared values. The campaign brings together Muslim and Christian leaders and traditional rulers to reconcile religious and ethnic divisions by drawing on the respect and authority of faith leaders to uphold values deeply embedded in faith traditions.

Thousands gather for the 2018 GPLC in Uganda’s Great Lakes Regio

“To quote Albert Camus, ‘Peace is the only battle worth waging,’ said GPF Nigeria patron and former Second Lady H.E. Hajiya Amina Namadi Sambo. “Since the world has become a global village we need a common goal, where universal aspirations, principles and values come together. We can build social cohesion through the family, community and the positive use of cultural and faith values.”

2018 GPLC track sessions included: Interfaith Peacebuilding and Prevention of Identity-Based Conflicts; Global Education for the Future: Reimagining Education to Ensure Students are Future Ready; Entrepreneurship and Investment as Catalyst for Peace and Development; Cultivating Moral and Innovative Leadership; Peace Begins in the Home: Women-Led Initiatives for Peace and Development; and Youth Leadership, Entrepreneurship and Service.

Women’s panel speaks on Peace Begins in the Home at GPLC Uganda

GPLC Uganda was co-convened by the Republic of Uganda, the Global Peace Foundation, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the Inter-religious Council of Uganda, and the Private Sector Foundation Uganda.