Following up on the efforts and commitments taken two years ago during the first summit, when the Declaration of Dar-es-Salaam on peace, stability, democracy and development in the Great Lakes was signed. This was wished by Benedict XVI in his message, signed by the Secretary of State, card. Tarcisio Bertone, addressed to Mwai Kibaki, president of the Republic of Kenya and chairman on duty of the International Conference on the Great Lakes, on the occasion of the 2nd summit of the same conference that took place in Nairobi on 14th and 15th December. In his message, published today, the Pope states that "peace and security, democracy and good government, economic development and regional integration, human and social promotion are connected to one another, and none of them can exist without the support of the others". This is why, warns the Pontiff, "they demand everyone’s generosity, courage and perseverance". On its part, the Catholic Church "attaches great importance to these values and will keep promoting them with generous dedication, along with the members of the other religions". In his message, Benedict XVI "encourages all the delegations to bravely undertake their historical responsibilities" and prays "that measures which deter the use of violence and promote dialogue and negotiations will be taken".
