Pax Agricultura and Books For Africa sign peace partnership in Washington

PAX AGRICULTURA and Books For Africa signed a memorandum of understanding at the African Union Mission to the United States in Washington, D.C., launching a partnership that links landmine clearance, farming and education. The effort starts in Angola and aims to turn damaged land into farmland while expanding book access and literacy across Africa.

Why it matters: - The partnership ties land recovery, food security and education into one peace-building effort. - The work starts in Angola, where cleared land could return to farming and children could gain safer access to schools and books. - The model aims to expand beyond Angola across Africa and later to other regions.

What happened: - PAX AGRICULTURA and Books For Africa signed a memorandum of understanding at the African Union Mission to the United States in Washington, D.C. - The signing came 25 years after the Sept. 11 attacks. - The event focused on using agriculture and education to advance peace. - H.E. Ambassador Constancia A. Gaspar of the African Union Mission to the United States witnessed the signing. - Ambassadors representing nations across Africa attended the event. - Patrick Plonski, executive director of Books For Africa, and Heidi Kuhn, founder and CEO of PAX AGRICULTURA and World Food Prize laureate, signed the agreement.

The details: - The partnership begins in Angola and is designed to connect the country’s history, agricultural future and education needs. - The plan envisions landmines being cleared so war-damaged land can become farmland again. - Fruit trees are part of the vision, with the goal of feeding future generations and sequestering carbon. - The partnership also aims to expand Books For Africa through the Global Book Ecosystems model developed by New Media Learning. - The Global Book Ecosystems model connects children and families with schools, libraries and community partners through locally led reading ecosystems. - The initiative is led by San José State University professor Anthony Chow, who is CEO of New Media Learning. - Books For Africa says it has shipped more than 65 million books to Africa over 38 years and has served every one of the continent’s 55 countries. - Yetide Badaki, an actress, producer and ambassador of peace for PAX AGRICULTURA, attended the signing and linked the moment to her work on the STARZ/Lionsgate series Queen Nzinga. - During the ceremony, Kuhn distributed white roses to African ambassadors, and the roses were placed beside the MOU as a symbol of landmine eradication, restored farmland and peace. - PAX AGRICULTURA describes its ACE-in-PEACE framework as People, Empathy, Agriculture, Community and Education.

Between the lines: - The agreement extends Heidi Kuhn’s earlier “Mines to Vines” work through Roots of Peace into a broader program that now includes education and community-building. - The use of Angola, Queen Nzinga and African women deminers signals an effort to connect historical memory, cultural symbolism and practical development work. - The Sept. 11 reference frames the partnership as a response to violence with a long-term investment in rebuilding. - The language around books, trees and cleared land suggests a strategy that links humanitarian aid with local economic recovery.

What's next: - The partners will begin implementing the memorandum in Angola. - The effort is expected to combine landmine clearance, agricultural restoration and book distribution in local communities. - PAX AGRICULTURA and Books For Africa intend to use the agreement as a platform for broader expansion across Africa and beyond. - The organizations say the goal is to reclaim land from war, restore soil, educate children and cultivate a culture of peace.

The bottom line: - The new partnership turns a memorial moment into a practical development agenda: clear mines, plant trees, deliver books and build peace through agriculture and education.