The World Public Summit Africa 2026, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 29–30 July 2026, marks an important gathering of global thinkers, policymakers, writers, educators, entrepreneurs, diplomats, and young leaders committed to building a more cooperative and peaceful world.
Under the theme “The New World: Africa in Shaping a Common Future,” the summit recognises Africa’s growing influence in shaping international dialogue, cultural exchange, innovation, and sustainable development.
Organised by the World People’s Assembly, the summit serves as a platform where diverse voices from every continent come together to explore practical solutions for global challenges while celebrating cultural diversity and international cooperation. Participants include diplomats, researchers, social entrepreneurs, media professionals, artists, academics, humanitarian leaders, and representatives of international organisations.
The programme focuses on several key themes that define today’s rapidly changing world:
- Public Diplomacy
- Youth Leadership
- Culture and Media
- Technology and Innovation
- Humanitarian Cooperation
- The Future of a Multipolar World
These discussions reflect the growing importance of collaboration across nations and cultures. Rather than viewing differences as barriers, the summit encourages participants to recognise diversity as a source of strength, creativity, and shared progress.
Literature as a Bridge Between Nations: One of the summit’s distinguished cultural events is the panel session of the World Organization of Writers, entitled: “Creating an Image of a Future Person in Literature”
Date: 29 July 2026
Time: 4:00–5:30 pm
Venue: Addis Ababa, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
The session explores one of literature’s most enduring questions: What kind of human being does the future need? Throughout history, writers have imagined worlds that challenge injustice, inspire hope, preserve memory, and encourage compassion. In an era shaped by rapid technological change, environmental concerns, migration, and global uncertainty, literature continues to offer a uniquely human perspective. The panel examines how poetry, fiction, essays, and storytelling can nurture empathy, ethical responsibility, intercultural understanding, and peace. Rather than simply reflecting society, literature has the power to shape it by inspiring readers to imagine better futures and more compassionate communities.
Under the leadership of Margarita Al, the World Organization of Writers continues to strengthen the role of literature as a force for international understanding and cultural diplomacy. By bringing together authors, poets, translators, and intellectuals from diverse backgrounds, the organisation promotes dialogue across borders and encourages writers to contribute actively to peacebuilding, education, and humanitarian values. Its participation in the World Public Summit Africa 2026 highlights the enduring importance of the literary community in shaping a more inclusive, ethical, and interconnected world.
An International Literary Voice: Among the invited participants is Võ Thị Như Mai (Australia/Vietnam), an internationally recognised poet, translator, educator, and cultural ambassador whose work has consistently promoted dialogue across languages and cultures. As both a Vietnamese-born Australian educator and an active participant in international literary forums, Như Mai has dedicated many years to building connections between writers from different countries through bilingual publications, literary festivals, educational projects, and cultural exchange.
Her participation in the World Organization of Writers panel reflects her long-standing commitment to literature as an instrument of peace, education, and mutual understanding. Her work demonstrates that poetry transcends borders, inviting readers to discover common humanity despite differences in language, history, or geography. For Như Mai, literature is a living conversation between cultures, generations, and nations.
Africa’s Growing Global Leadership: Hosting the summit in Addis Ababa carries deep symbolic significance. Ethiopia has long been recognised as a centre of African diplomacy and international cooperation. As the headquarters of the African Union and home to numerous international institutions, Addis Ababa provides an ideal setting for conversations about the future of global partnership.
The summit highlights Africa not simply as a participant in international affairs but as a leading contributor to discussions on sustainable development, innovation, cultural heritage, youth empowerment, and global governance.
Its theme, “The New World: Africa in Shaping a Common Future,” acknowledges that solutions to twenty-first century challenges require leadership from every region of the world.
Empowering the Next Generation: A major emphasis of the World Public Summit Africa 2026 is the participation of young leaders. Through its open application process, the organisers invited emerging changemakers from around the world to contribute ideas, develop international partnerships, and participate in meaningful dialogue.
Young diplomats, entrepreneurs, researchers, media professionals, artists, and community leaders are encouraged to share their experiences and collaborate across disciplines. Their participation reflects the belief that future global leadership depends upon open communication, innovation, and inclusive cooperation.
Culture as Soft Diplomacy: The summit also recognises culture as one of the most powerful forms of public diplomacy. Music, literature, visual arts, education, journalism, and storytelling all contribute to building trust between societies. Cultural exchange encourages understanding where politics alone may struggle, creating opportunities for lasting friendships and international collaboration.
The inclusion of literary panels alongside discussions on technology, diplomacy, humanitarian cooperation, and innovation illustrates the summit’s holistic vision of development—one in which human creativity remains central to progress.
Looking Towards a Shared Future: As nations continue to navigate complex global challenges, gatherings such as the World Public Summit Africa 2026 remind us that cooperation begins with conversation.
The presence of writers, educators, diplomats, scientists, entrepreneurs, and young leaders from many countries demonstrates a shared commitment to building a future founded upon dialogue rather than division.
The World Organization of Writers panel further reinforces the timeless role of literature in shaping values, inspiring imagination, and nurturing hope. Every poem, story, and conversation contributes to the larger narrative of humanity.
From Addis Ababa, voices from across the world will gather to imagine not only the future of nations but also the future of humanity itself—one built upon peace, creativity, cultural understanding, and the enduring power of words.
THE WORLD PUBLIC SUMMIT. Africa “THE NEW WORLD: AFRICA IN SHAPING A COMMON FUTURE”
Panel session of the World Organization of Writers “Creating an image of a future person in literature”
July 29, 2026, 16:00-17:30 , Addis Ababa ; Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
