The Words of the Ohtsuka Family |
Moscow, Russia -- UPF Russia marked Africa Day in two programs on May 25 in partnership with the Assembly of the Russian Peoples and the Russian Academy of Sciences.
At 11:00 the Russian Academy of Sciences Institute of Africa, the highest academic source in Russia on Africa, held a conference entitled "Africa Day -- 50 years of Freedom." UPF was invited to make a presentation at the event. Dmitry Oficerov, head of UPF-Russia's International Department, presented UPF's Statement on Africa Day on behalf of UPF President Dr. Thomas Walsh. The program was attended by 120 academic leaders and representatives of the African community.
Africa Day Celebrated in Moscow, Russia by UPF in partnership with the Assembly of the Russian Peoples
At 11:00 am on May 25 the Russian Academy of Sciences Institute of Africa, the highest academic resource in Russia on Africa, held a conference on "Africa Day -- 50 years of Freedom." UPF was invited to make a presentation at the event. Dmitry Oficerov, head of UPF-Russia's International Department, presented UPF's Statement on Africa Day on behalf of Dr. Thomas Walsh, President of UPF. The program was attended by 120 academic leaders and representatives of the African community.
Later on May 25, UPF in partnership with the largest Russian inter-ethnic NGO, "The Assembly of the Peoples of Russia," held a public celebration of the Africa Day in the House of the Peoples of Russia, which is the Main Compound of the Russian Exhibition Center in Moscow, the largest exhibition facility in the nation. The event was held in the main conference hall. The program was attended by diplomats, UN officials, representatives of the Moscow City Government, and NGO leaders. Among the audience there were H.E. Dr. Moses Ebuk, Ambassador of Uganda to Russia; H.E. Dr. Sam K. Mbambo, Ambassador of Namibia to Russia; H.E. Dr. Kodzo Alabo, Deputy Ambassador of Ghana to Russia; and Onessimus Atanze, Temporary Representative Plenipotentiary of Nigeria to Russia. There were 60 participants at the event.
Konstantin Krylov, Secretary General of Universal Peace Federation-Russia, was the moderator of the event. Ambassador for Peace Sergey Kuchinsky, General Director of the House of the Peoples of Russia, opened the program. In particular, he said, "Our meeting is symbolizing desire of peoples of Russia and Africa towards settlement of democracy principles and universal values, supporting peace and security on our small planet, joint overcoming of menaces facing our world, armed and international conflicts, hunger and diseases, desire to expand peaceful dialogue between peoples, economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation."
Mrs. Yulya Vlasova, the Assistant Director of the United Nations Information Center in Moscow, presented an address on behalf of UN Russia. She noted that the United Nations welcomes the development of many African nations in the cause of economic policies to eradicate poverty and strengthening democracy.
Dr. Katsumi Ohtsuka, Chair of UPF-Eurasia made a presentation on UPF activities in Africa and Eurasia, Gichuki Geoffrey, the Advisor of UPF Eurasia on Africa, read the address on behalf of Dr. Jean Ping, Chairman of the Comission of the African Union.
The program received also a welcoming letter from the Russian Academy of Sciences Institute of Africa. The program concluded by Russian music and African poetry. The participants joined a tea party and tasted African cuisine after the event.