Dakar (Senegal) - Mayors for Peace received the unanimous support of the FAL Network (Forum of Local Authorities for Social Inclusion and Participatory Democracy) in the final declaration of the IX Assembly meeting in Dakar, Senegal on February 8th, 2011. The meeting of the FAL Network coincides with the World Social Forum.
The fundamental aim of FAL is to turn cities into important actors in the process of globalization. Mayors for Peace is also gaining increasing support from Mayors across Senegal.
IX FAL Assembly
In the final declaration of the IX Assembly, the FAL Network declared its intention to co-operate with Mayors for Peace. The declaration affirmed that ''the processes we are developing on decentralized cooperation, local authorities also contribute to a world with more solidarity and promoting a culture of peace. The FAL network and the network Mayors for Peace affirm their determination to work together to free cities of the scourge of war and mass destruction. Our commitment is to continue to exercise pressure on national governments and influence the international agenda.''
A formal agreement of co-operation is now being circulated for adoption by the three antennas of the FAL Network, represented by the Mayor of Dakar for Africa, the Mayor of Fortaleza for Latin America and the Vice-President of the province of Malaga for Europe.
Vice-Mayor Jean Paul Nanfack (Fongo Tongo, Cameroon) and the International Development Director Pol Heanna were invited by FAL to represent Mayors for Peace at the Assembly. Unfortunately, Jean Paul Nanfack was unable to travel to Senegal
Surge of new members and support in Senegal
The FAL Assembly was also a very good outreach opportunity for our Senegalese 2020 Vision Campaigner, Mr. Amadou Coly Gomis. Mr. Gomis, a businessman from the City of Thies, has been very successful at launching Mayors for Peace in Senegal in 2010, resulting in a fast growing membership of 30 members, one of the highest in Africa. Just days before the World Social Forum he recruited another 31 new Mayors from rural communities, and 10 other new members during the FAL Assembly.
On February 10th Mr. Gomes and Mr. Heanna met with Mr. Emmanuel-Rene Moise, the Director of the Cabinet of Mr. Abdoulaye Balde, President of AMS (Association of Mayors from Senegal). Mr. Moise, previously a representative of Senegal in international fora to counter the proliferation of small arms, showed full support to the objectives of Mayors for Peace, and stated that AMS would be very interested to sign an agreement of co-operation. He expressed special interest for Mayors for Peace to offer a forum for local governments to share problems and solutions about the insecurity of small arms, quoting the former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, who called small arms "weapons of mass destruction in slow motion."
In the margin of the FAL Assembly we received the information that the 6th Summit of African Local Governments will be held in Dakar from 4 - 8 December 2012. This represents a new opportunity to further establish Mayors for Peace in Africa.
With special thanks Mr. Amadou Gomis and the FAL Network and FAMSI for their important support.
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