Justina Mutale Honoured As Ambassador For Peace

London, UK - Justina Mutale, African Woman of the Year and Founder/CEO of POSITIVE RUNWAY: Global Catwalk to Stop the Spread has been honoured with the Ambassador for Peace Award from the Universal Peace Federation, a global alliance of individuals and organizations dedicated to building a world of peace in consultative status with the United Nations.

Ms Mutale received the Award at the conclusion of the two-day European Leadership Conference held at the UK Houses of Parliament and the House of Lords in London, on Thursday and Friday 21-22 November 2013.

The European Leadership Conference was part of the activities of "PARLIAMENT WEEK" and part of a series of major events held in National Parliaments including the United Nations in Geneva and Vienna, as well as the European Parliament in Brussels focused on issues of Human Rights, Human Development, the European Relationship with Africa and the Future of Multiculturalism.

“For Africa to be an effective player in the Post-2015 Development Agenda, which has sustainable development at its core, the continent needs to close the gender gap and ensure that the potential of every woman and girl in Africa is fully utilised.

The gender equality and women's empowerment strategy for Africa must be premised on women as key and indispensable actors and leaders in accelerating economic growth and in achieving socially and environmentally sustainable development”, said Ms Mutale who was speaking during the Conference and gave a presentation titled: “Women's Increased/Equal Participation in the Political Decision-Making Process Essential to Sustainable Growth: An African Perspective”.

The Ambassadors for Peace initiative was launched in 2001 and has become the world's largest and most diverse network of peace leaders. Recipients demonstrate leadership qualities in a given sphere of activity and come from all walks of life representing all races, religions, nationality and cultures, and commit themselves to stand on the common ground of universal moral principles, committed to promoting reconciliation, overcoming barriers, and building peace. The initiative aims to form a global network of leaders representing the religious, racial, and ethnic diversity of the human family, as well as all disciplines of human endeavor.

“Transcending racial, national and religious barriers, the Ambassadors for Peace contribute to the fulfilment of the hope of all ages, a unified world of peace wherein the spiritual and the material dimensions of life are harmonised”, stated the Award.

Photos by Ingrid Mårn:
1. Justina Mutale at the European Leadership Conference

2. Justina Mutale accepts her Award flanked by Robin Marsh, Secretary-General of the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) UK and Mark Brann Secretary-General of Universal Peace Federation (UPF) Europe.

3. Justina Mutale with some of the Conference Speakers, Rt. Hon. Baroness Verma: UK Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change; Hon. Michael Frendo: Former Speaker Malta Parliament and Former Foreign Minister of Malta, Mr. Virendra Sharma UK Member of Parliament; Mrs Mitty Tohma: Vice-President, Women's Federation for World Peace, Europe; Mr. Mark Brann: Secretary-General Universal Peace Federation, Europe; Rev. Dr. Marcus Braybrooke: President World Congress of Faiths; Mr Paul An, Chairperson, Univeral Peace Federation, Europe and Mr Robin Marsh: Secretary-General, Universal Peace Federation, UK

For further information visit: www.uk.upf.org and www.wfwp.org