Presidential hopeful, Alexander B. Cummings, was among several current aspirants and former world leaders attending a three-day retreat of world GB leaders and statesmen and women, hosted by the Brenthurst Foundation in Italy.
The Brenthurst Foundation, which focused on “Best Practice in Making Peace”, held the three-day event from July 3—5 in Italy at Cadenabbia on Lake Como.
“It was a great honor and opportunity to have been invited to speak at this event. The Brenthurst Foundation brings the world’s leading policy-makers, policy-shapers, leaders, thinkers and practitioners together to innovate ways to enhance peace, economic growth and development,” Cummings, Political Leader of the Alternative National Congress (ANC), said.
The ANC Political Leader was among aspiring candidates who played a formal role and spoke on a panel. Cummings described his experience as wonderful to have represented Liberia.
His presentation focused on three themes using the Liberian experience as a basis, including the prevention of conflict by ensuring election integrity as a key factor; the sustainable peace, highlighting the role of women and sustaining peace through inclusive government, where everyone is represented, and inclusive economic expansion and opportunity; and eliminating corruption and ensuring a functioning judiciary.
Cummings said he was proud that other speakers acknowledged and referenced his presentation throughout the retreat.
“Most of the former Presidents and world leaders were very engaging, especially President Obasanjo and former Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Barak, who led the panel on the Middle East peace process and sat next to me,” the ANC Political Leader said.
Other world leaders present at the retreat were former President Seretse Khama Ian Khama (Botswana), former President Kgalema Motlanthe (South Africa), former Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn of Ethiopia. etc
Also present were former Vice President of Colombia, Francisco Santos, Ugandan opposition figure, Bobbi Wine, as well as other respected leaders. Former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf participated in the three-day retreat by Zoom.
Cummings said he left the retreat convinced that Liberia is headed in the right direction and is properly positioned with past and current global leaders, “with our real change message and to push the creating peace agenda”.
“It was impressive that we do have an array of past presidents who have peacefully handed over power, prioritizing their national peace, democracy, and transition. These are lessons we can all apply in our parties, communities, religious institutions and country at large,” Cummings said.