Lisbon – May 2024. The Hon Consul General of Tonga to Portugal was received on the margins of the KAICIID summit in Lisbon by HE Graça Machel Mandela – a lady unique in the world of having been First Lady of two countries – first Mozambique and later through her marriage to Nelson Mandela, of South Africa.
HE Graça Machel Mandela gave a truly impassioned speech about the role that women play in fostering understanding and inter-religious dialogue. She was interested to learn more about the Kingdom of Tonga and the role of women.
The Hon Consul General joined her at the lunch and discuss other topics such as the crisis in Gaza, Ukraine, children’s and women’s rights, and the ongoing battle to stamp out genital mutilation.
HE Graça Machel Mandela is also Deputy Chair of The Elders which was founded by South African President Nelson Mandela in 2007. This organisation, which is currently chaired by Mary Robinson, first female President of Ireland, is an independent group of global leaders working for peace, justice, human rights and a sustainable planet. They have an impressive track record in conflict zones and enjoy the support of other leading figures such as former US president Jimmy Carter and Nobel peace prize winner and former Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos.
For more information please visit https://theelders.org/profile/graca-machel
