Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Africa’s long-term prosperity will depend not only on economic growth, infrastructure and technological innovation, but on leaders who place people at the centre of development. That was the defining message from the World Public Summit’s high-level plenary session, “Humanistic Leadership and Public Initiatives: Investing in People as the Foundation of Africa’s Future,” held at the United Nations headquarters in Addis Ababa.
Bringing together distinguished experts from Africa, Europe and Asia, the session explored humanistic leadership as a transformative leadership philosophy that prioritizes people, dignity, ethics, compassion and shared responsibility alongside economic progress. Speakers argued that societies flourish when leaders empower citizens, strengthen communities and create opportunities that allow every individual to contribute to national development.
Among the speakers were Yanina Dubeykovskaya, Deputy Executive Director of the World Peoples Assembly and President of the Association of Women Public Figures “Women’s Influence” (Russia); Alfred Lasteck Mushi, Founder and Chairman of the Kili Voices Foundation and journalist with Daily Mail Tanzania; Eric Biegon, Trustee of a charitable foundation and journalist with Kenya Broadcasting Corporation; Mabwuto Tembo Chipata, Chief Executive Officer of the “Her Voice” Foundation in Zambia; Nina Zelenskaya, Director of the Russian Children’s Centre in Cape Town; Kristina Romanenko (Lauti), President of the Tunisian-Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and Anar Izden, Executive Director of Kazakhstan’s Qorqyt Foundation for International Cooperation and Development.
The discussion emphasized that effective leadership in the 21st century can no longer be measured solely by economic indicators or political influence. Instead, successful leaders are those who build trust, inspire collaboration, encourage inclusion, uphold integrity and invest in education, healthcare, youth development, women’s empowerment and strong civic institutions.
Speakers noted that Africa possesses one of the world’s youngest and fastest-growing populations, making investment in human capital one of the continent’s greatest opportunities. They stressed that governments, businesses and civil society must work together to cultivate ethical leadership, expand opportunities for young people and create environments where innovation and entrepreneurship can thrive.
The panel also highlighted the African philosophy of Ubuntu—the belief that “I am because we are”—as a powerful framework for leadership that values empathy, solidarity and collective progress. Delegates argued that this people-first approach offers important lessons for addressing inequality, strengthening social cohesion and building resilient societies capable of meeting future challenges.
A special highlight of the session was the participation of finalists from the African regional stage of the International Contest “Leader of Public Diplomacy.” Emerging leaders from Ghana, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, , Ethiopia, Zambia, Gambia , Senegal, Jean-Jacques Lukusa of the
Democratic Republic of the Congo
and Christiana Onoja from Nigeria shared inspiring examples of community leadership, social entrepreneurship, public diplomacy and grassroots initiatives that are transforming lives across the continent.
The humanistic leadership dialogue formed part of the wider World Public Summit, which brought together more than 700 government officials, diplomats, academics, business leaders, journalists, researchers, youth representatives and civil society organizations under the theme “A New World: Africa in Shaping a Shared Future.”
Throughout the Summit, delegates repeatedly returned to one central conviction: Africa’s greatest resource is its people. Sustainable development will depend on leadership that invests in human potential, builds institutions founded on trust and accountability, and creates opportunities that enable communities to prosper.
Addressing participants, Andrey Belyaninov, General Secretary of the World Peoples Assembly, captured the spirit of the gathering: “The Summit is not just a meeting—it is a space for unity. A space where the values that unite us come to life: respect for people, openness to the world, responsibility for the future and a commitment to creation.”
The Summit concluded with the adoption of the African Communiqué, reaffirming a shared commitment to human-centred development, ethical leadership, international cooperation and sustained investment in people as the cornerstone of Africa’s future.
As delegates departed Addis Ababa, the message was unmistakable: the continent’s future will not be defined solely by its natural resources or economic ambitions, but by leaders who place humanity, dignity and service at the heart of every decision.
