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Addis Ababa January 17/2013 The African Union Commission and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) have partnered to promote peace across Africa during the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa, an AU press release said.
According to the release it sent to ENA on Thursday, AU said that the slogan of CAF during this tournament, “Celebrate Africa”, aptly defines this important milestone and captures the mood in South Africa ahead of the tournament’s kick off.
A series of joint activities are lined-up before the start of the tournament and during the official opening ceremony, scheduled for Saturday 19 January 2013, at Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg.
AU and CAF signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 14 June 2012 to use football as a platform to advocate and promote social change in Africa, through such initiatives at the “Make Peace Happen” campaign.
In 2002, the symbolic Flame of Peace was lit by CAF in the presence of several Heads of State at the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Libreville.
This year, AU’s Peace Ambassador for the tournament, Oscar Pistorius, the four times Paralympics champion, is the peace-torch bearer at the Flame of Peace ceremony.
Since 2010, the AU has used football to promote peace under the banner of the “Make Peace Happen” campaign in recognition of the fact that sport brings people together and that it can serve as a tool for social development.
During this tournament, the AU will join hands with the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), OXFAM International and the African Center for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD).
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