On the eve of the grand award ceremony for the Félix Houphouët-Boigny – UNESCO Peace Prize, scheduled for Thursday, May 22, 2025, in Abidjan, a day of reflection and dialogue was held on Monday, May 19 at the National Center for Scientific Equipment (CNMS) in Cocody.
Organized in the presence of Professor Jean-Noël Loucou, Secretary-General of the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Foundation for Peace Research, the event brought together academics, writers, community leaders, representatives of civil society organizations, as well as students and pupils.
A Rich and Constructive Space for Exchange
The inaugural conference focused on the theme: “Félix Houphouët-Boigny and Peace”, and was followed by a thematic panel discussion on: “The Citizen and the Culture of Peace”. These sessions were enriched by contributions from prominent personalities such as:
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Professor Méké Méité, Chairholder of the UNESCO Chair for the Culture of Peace,
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Mrs. Marie Kouadio Koné, Director General of Social Cohesion,
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Mr. Nabil Ajami, writer and Ambassador for Peace.
Highlighting Peace Education
Presentations were also given by students and pupils who had participated in training sessions held on February 17 and 18 on the theme: “Education in the Values of a Culture of Peace.”
A Call for Vigilance in a Pre-Election Period
In a pre-electoral context marked by certain tensions, participants sounded the alarm on the need to safeguard peace — a value so dear to the Father of the Nation, Félix Houphouët-Boigny — by reviving his ideals: justice, dialogue, social cohesion, and national unity.