World Summit 2019 Semi-Highlights

My Day: World Summit 2019 Semi-Highlights
By Dr. J. Ester Davis
www.esterday.com

“Dear Excellencies,  Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen.  It is a great pleasure for me to welcome all of you who have come to Seoul, Korea to congratulate and encourage the laureates of 2019.  In particular, the presence of distinguished leaders and representatives from around the world, including current and former heads of state and special guests from Africa, brings great value to this program.”The world summit  theme was “Peace and Human Development in Africa”.

The welcoming airport staff were all young African students attending college or some form of higher education from around the world.  With several trips aboard, my favorite questions to ask especially young people is how many languages do you speak?  The answer is almost always over four. . . to ‘I do not know’ how many.  At Inchon Airport, Seoul, Korea, the real red carpet was rolled out. .. .with the most massive size signs welcoming the delegations from around the world to the World Summit.  Upon arrival, we knew we were in a special time for a special reason.  With a very demanding schedule, the first session was held hours after our arrival.

My highlights for this first accounting centers around the two winners of the Sunhak Peace Prize, a Noble Peace Prize equivalency, with more money attached.  Please join our blog and conversation about Africa’s more than forward worldwide march.

Quite possibly, most Americans are not familiar with the African model, Waris Dirie, who has graced many high fashion magazines as a world class supermodel, domestically and aboard. She is also the founder of the Desert Flower Foundation leading the campaign for the elimination of female genital mutilation(FGM) in 1997.  This innovative awareness milestone saved the lives of millions of girls who were at risk of this violent practice.  Waris was available, though uncomfortable with the attention,  for questioning  and granted many interviews during the summit.

Another impactful highlights of the summit was the Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, leading Africa’s development through agricultural innovations and by promoting good governance in Africa.  Having received a Master of Science and a PhD,  in Agricultural Economics from Purdue University in America, he returned to his native country and created a fertilizer.  His story is mermerizing. . . bringing  great improvement to Africa’s food supply and leading the world in innovation styling.

The absolute BIG. . buzz. . . both in, after hours and during the summit was about Barack Obama, our President and his investment in Africa.  Before my interview  with the South Africa Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), the camera man asked about Mr. Obama.  Fortunately,  (whew) . . I had working knowledge about the next step concerning The Basketball Africa League, thanks to J. J. Chandler, grandson number 4, Texas A&M playing basketball.  But according to reports now published, the league will debut soon in several African countries, to-wit: South Africa, Tunisia, Egypt. . . about twelve countries.

Working on and still unpacking more highlights on this super packed summit.  So many thanks to the other countries we interviewed and had the pleasure of meeting.  Truly making the world better for future generations.