11th Edition of the Abidjan International Book Fair

The 11th edition of the Abidjan International Book Fair (SILA 2019) was held from May 15 to 19, 2019 at the Palais de la Culture in Treichville. This edition, which had as its theme: “the book, my daily companion”, was an opportunity to bring all social strata closer to the question of the book. SILA remains a platform for interaction between book professionals from all walks of life, a time for capacity building and sharing experiences. Workshops, round tables and book signings of literary works have been organized for this purpose. The writer Véronique TADJO was the guest of honour of SILA 2019.

The Félix Houphouët-Boigny Foundation Editions (FHB Editions) did not remain on the sidelines of this great event by promoting its literary products. At the stand of the FHB Foundation publishing house, authors signed their books published in 2018, notably Professor Jean-Noël LOUCOU for “Speeches and Messages by Félix Houphouët-Boigny”, Doctor René-Pierre ANOUMA for “Côte d’Ivoire, Naissance et Devenir d’une nation”, Mrs Sophie BOATING for the comic strip “Félix Houphouët-Boigny”, Professor Amani N’GORAN for “Le Psychodrame Œdipien, Enjeu psychodynamique pour le jeu de Football” and Mr Jérôme Kouakou YA for “Hommage Publics à Félix Houphouët-Boigny”.

The Sila 2019 Grand Prize went to Mr. Hermann GAUDE, with his novel “Comrade Papa”.

The Ethiopian Prime Minister, Mr. Abiy Ahmed Ali, Winner of the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Prize for the peace research 2019

Mr. Abiy Ahmed Ali, Prime Minister of Ethiopia, is the winner of the 2019 edition of the UNESCO Félix Houphouët-Boigny Prize for the peace research.
He was appointed on April 29, 2019 at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris by the new jury of this prize consisting of:
Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Former President of Liberia, Nobel Peace Laureate, and Chair of the Jury (Liberia),
Mr. Forest Whitaker, actor, director and producer, Founder of the NGO Peace and Develop Initiative, Special Envoy of UNESCO (United States of America),
His Excellency Mr. François Hollande, former President of the French Republic, former laureate of the Houphouët-Boigny Prize, Vice-President of the Jury (France),
S.A.S Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan, Princess of Jordan, UNESCO Special Envoy for Science for Peace (Kingdom of Jordan),
Mr. Michel Camdessus, former director of the International Monetary Fund (France).
Professor Muhammad Yunus, economist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate (Bangladesh).

Students trained in community life, leadership and the culture of peace

A training seminar was organized for members of the “Icônes de la paix” club of Nangui Abrogoua University (IP-UNA) in Abidjan, from April 16 to 18, 2019 by the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Foundation for the peace research at its headquarters in Yamoussoukro. Its theme was “associative life, leadership, and a culture of peace” and allowed members of the Peace Icons to be educated on ways and means to bring a new momentum of peace to academia by developing their leadership and their ability to work as a team.

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Council of Ministers of April 24, 2019

On April 24, 2019, the President of the Republic, H.E. Mr Alassane OUATTARA, presided over a Council of Ministers at the headquarters of the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Foundation for Peace Research (FHB Foundation) in Yamoussoukro.

At this council, several decisions were taken, including a project to support the governance of the coffee and cocoa sector to increase producers’ incomes and improve access to electricity in rural areas to enable the installation of 2027 km of overhead power lines, 23,549 connections and 22,960 public lighting households.

The Council also adopted two decrees to finance the project for roads to open up cross-border areas – Phase 1 – Bondoukou section – Soko Ghana border. This project includes, in particular, the development and asphalting of cross-border roads, as well as the remediation and development of several kilometres of runways.

Teacher-trainers trained in public spirit and the promotion of a peaceful school environment

The Peace Research Department of the FHB Foundation organised a seminar for teacher-supervisors, educators, club leaders and associations from the Regional Directorate of National Education, Technical Education and Vocational Training (DRENETFP) in Yamoussoukro. This seminar had as its theme: “Civicism, citizenship and learning to live together in a peaceful school environment” and took place on April 9 and 10 at the headquarters of our institution.

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The 2019 campaign to promote maternal, newborn and child health launched

The Minister of Health and Public Hygiene, Dr. Eugène Aka Aka AOUÉLÉ, presided over the ceremony to launch the 2019 edition of the national campaign for the promotion of maternal, newborn and child health on April 5, 2019 at the headquarters of the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Foundation for Peace Research in Yamoussoukro. This ceremony was organized by the National Health and Children’s Programme in the presence of representatives of partner organizations such as WHO, UNICEF and UNFPA.

Dr. Aouélé said that there are many obstacles to the momentum towards reducing maternal, newborn and child mortality in Côte d’Ivoire, including the predominance of medical causes, which account for 80% of obstacles such as bleeding and dystocias. According to him, frequent breakdowns of blood products and essential drugs and the deterioration in the quality of services in maternity hospitals, mainly attributed to health personnel, are among the obstacles to reducing maternal and child mortality rates. The Chief Health Officer in Côte d’Ivoire reported that 52 per cent of referral facilities do not offer blood transfusion and caesarean section is not performed in 34 referral facilities. For him, this campaign is therefore an action of his ministry to demonstrate his willingness to promote local exchanges to bring stakeholders together and allow a better distribution of resources to effectively contribute to curbing maternal, newborn and child mortality in Côte d’Ivoire.

Finally, the Minister of Health and Public Hygiene handed over a roadmap to regional prefects for the successful conduct of the campaign throughout Côte d’Ivoire.

Trade unionists trained in the culture of peace for a peaceful social climate

On February 21 and 22, 2019, the FHB Foundation organized a training seminar at its headquarters for the members of the regional chapter of the Yamoussoukro District Socialist Central Union. The theme of this seminar was: “Trade unionism and culture of peace: how to improve the working and living conditions of workers while preserving the peaceful social climate?” Its aim is to promote the values ​​of social dialogue in unionism and the culture of peace, and to bring participants to use active and participatory tools, techniques and methods to facilitate learning the discourse of living together. 

This activity was coordinated by Dr. Diénéba DOUMBIA, Director of the Department of Peace Research at the FHB Foundation. Some thirty members of the Yamoussoukro Humanism Central Unit headed by their Secretary General, Mr. Adama OULY, were built on three major topics in the form of workshops:

  •  the commitment of trade unionists to a constructive dialogue in a peaceful social climate,
  •  opportunities to learn about social dialogue and the culture of peace in the trade union world,
  •  and peace messages, plan of action, commitments, recommendations and Appeal.

This seminar ended with the graduation ceremony for all participants.

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Ceremony of Presentation of New Year’s Greetings to the Secretary General

On Saturday, January 19, 2019, the staff of the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Foundation presented as usual its New Year greetings to its first leader, Professor Jean-Noël LOUCOU. The Chief of Staff, Mr. Christophe Kadjané ASSOH, spoke on behalf of all his colleagues to present the best wishes for the year 2019 to the Secretary General of the institution and his family. In return, he congratulated all the staff for his dynamism and professionalism that he demonstrated throughout the Houphouët-Boigny Year. He did not fail to give an overview of the events planned for the year 2019, in this case the launch of the activities of the Panafrican School of Peace (EPAP).

Following his speech, Pr. Loucou has had to receive the courtesies from all his present collaborators. It was important to note the presence at this ceremony of Dr. Diénéba DOUMBIA, Director of the Department of Peace Research at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Foundation.

See the video here.

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Brotherhood Tournament: 2018 Edition