A seminar on "Integral human development: path of peace, path to the future" (Développement humain intégral: chemin de paix, chemin d'avenir) opened November 13, in Abidjan, at the Côte d'Ivoire Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The speakers of the inaugural session include S.Ecc. Marcel Amon-Tanoh, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; HE Cardinal Jean-Pierre Kutwa, Archbishop of Abidjan; S.Ecc. Mons. Ignace Bessi Dogbo, President of the Episcopal Conference; the Cheick Ayman Boikary Fofana, President of the Superior Council of the Iman and Mosques of the Ivory Coast.
In their interventions the following themes were repeatedly evoked: the meeting, reconciliation and listening; strengthening the social fabric and social justice; the vulnerability of the human person and his rights; the inspiration that comes from the Faith to build peace; dialogue and coexistence between ethnic groups and religions; a development that is not limited to material aspects; the responsibility of political leaders. Present were numerous members of the Ivorian Government and the Diplomatic Corps, officials, bishops, priests, imams, students and university professors, representatives of civil society.
Bruno-Marie Duffé, Secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, is taking part in the Seminar.
The work of the Seminar will last until Friday November 15th: reports will be held in plenary, visits to various projects in the cities of Abidjan and Grand-Bassam, as well as work groups aimed at sharing experiences and developing proposals for a path of peace in the country. The event will end with the reading of the Declaration on the Human Fraternity (signed last year jointly by Pope Francis and Imam Ahmad Al-Tayyeb of the Al-Ahzar Mosque) both in the Saint Jacques parish of the Deux-Plateaux district, and in the Grand Mosque of the Riviera Golf.
November 15 is the date on which the Côte d'Ivoire celebrates the National Peace Day; among other things, the Holy See and the Côte d'Ivoire are heading towards the celebration of 50 years of bilateral diplomatic relations (26 October 2020).
The Seminar was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Côte d'Ivoire (which coordinated the participation of other Ivorian government departments, religious leaders and civil society leaders in the country), by the Department for Human Development Service Integral and from the Apostolic Nunciature in the country, in collaboration with the Episcopal Conference.
The Secretary of the Dicastery participates in the Seminar accompanied by Fr. Luca Marabese, Business Officer a.i. of the Nunciature, and by Tebaldo Vinciguerra, Officer of the same Dicastery. Participation in this event is also an opportunity to have privileged meetings with the Bishops of the country and with representatives of the Government.
