Commemorative plaque unveiling ceremony and the Martti Ahtisaari legacy seminar 2025

The Chief Executive Officer of the Inclusive Society Institute, Mr Daryl Swanepoel, represented the Institute at the Commemorative plaque unveiling ceremony and the Martti Ahtisaari legacy seminar 2025, which was held at Freedom Park in Pretoria on Thursday, 6 March 2025.

The event was held in two parts: The inscribing of the names of seven Finnish anti-apartheid actors on the Wall of Names at Freedom Park, and the Martti Ahtisaari legacy seminar.

The seminar comprised an opening address by H.E. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, former Foreign Minister of South Africa; and two panel discussion:

• A high level panel discussion on Martti Ahtisaari’s legacy, South Africa’s past lesson learned, the role of mediation & dialogue in the broader anti-Apartheid struggle.

• An expert panel discussion on the future of mediation – what challenges do mediators face now, and, in the future, what can be drawn from South African lessons and experience, what requires novel approaches and what kind of alliances need building?

The event was hosted by H.E. Mr Pekka Metso, Finland’s Ambassador to South Africa. Co-hosts were Freedom Park, Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation and ACCORD.