Mª Teresa Fernández de la Vega participates in the 10th Global Forum of the Alliance of Civilizations

November 28 – From November 25 to 27, Cascais hosted the 10th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations. Under the theme “United in Peace: Restoring Trust, Reshaping the Future,” the event brought together governments, international organizations, media, youth, religious leaders, local authorities, and civil society to celebrate two decades of dialogue and collaboration driven by this United Nations initiative.

The forum began with an opening session attended by prominent figures such as the King of Spain; United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres; former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero; the High Representative of the Alliance and former Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Miguel Moratinos; and the former Vice President of Spain and President of the Women for Africa Foundation, María Teresa Fernández de la Vega, among other high-level leaders and representatives.

In his speech, the King emphasized the importance of the Women’s Alliance for Peace, a joint initiative of Women for Africa Foundation and UNAOC. This project highlights the crucial role of women as peacebuilders, negotiators, and mediators in Africa, aligning with the foundation’s broader efforts in “Political Leadership, Peace, and Security.”

María Teresa Fernández de la Vega participated in the panel discussion “Enhancing mediation through intercultural and interreligious dialogue and leveraging the role of women peacemakers”, sharing the stage with notable leaders including:

• Caddy Adzuba, President of the Association of Women in Media (AFEM) and the Pelagie Muhigirwa Foundation
• Emanuela Claudia Del Re, Special Representative of the European Union for the Sahel
• Bouaré Bintou Founé Samaké, President of WILDAF Mali and former Minister of Women, Children, and Family Affairs
• Suzi Carla Barbosa, Special Advisor to the President of Guinea-Bissau and former Minister of Foreign Affairs;
• Irene Guia, expert on refugee issues in the eastern region of DRC
• Dr. Malika Hamdi, Professor at the Université Libre de Bruxelles and Associate Researcher at FRS-FNRS

During the session, the panelists reflected on the essential role of women in peacebuilding, their involvement in international mediation, and the progress made in implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1325, adopted 24 years ago.

In her remarks, Fernández de la Vega stressed the need for “public policies to include specific strategies to address issues arising from gender-based violence in conflict settings.” She also praised the work of mediators like Caddy Adzuba, who tirelessly fights against sexual violence as a weapon of war in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a cause the foundation has proudly supported for years through various programs.

When asked how to gain greater recognition for the contributions of women peacemakers, Fernández de la Vega highlighted the importance of “global and local campaigns aimed at governments, media, and civil society.” She emphasized that these campaigns must “break gender stereotypes by promoting positive narratives that showcase female leadership in conflict settings.” Finally, she called for intergenerational collaboration, stating: “That is the goal: for women to unite.”