President Neves: Creoleness is a Blueprint for Peace
In a powerful address at the University of Coimbra, Cape Verdean President José Maria Neves championed the concept of “creoleness” (crioulidade) as a vital philosophy for the modern world, framing it as humanity’s most effective response to the divisions of the 21st century.
Beyond History: A Philosophy for the Future
Delivering his lecture, “Creoleness and the Future of Humanity,” President Neves argued that the Cape Verdean experience is more than a historical footnote; it is a global blueprint. “Creoleness is not just the legacy of a shared past. It is a proposal for the future,” Neves told the audience at the 44th edition of the “Conversas da Casa da Lusofonia” on July 1.
The President described Cape Verde as an “exceptional historical laboratory” that mastered the art of coexistence long before globalization became a standard concept. He emphasized that this identity is not merely based on biological or cultural mixing, but on a “pedagogy of coexistence” and an “ethics of diversity.”
“It teaches us that unity does not require uniformity, that diversity is not a threat, and that relationships constitute humanity’s greatest wealth,” Neves stated, defining creoleness as proof that human communities can be built without erasing individual differences.
A New Perspective on Reparations
Shedding light on the sensitive topic of historical reparations, President Neves argued that the conversation must evolve beyond financial transactions. For Neves, true reparation is the “restoration of dignity” and the “reestablishment of historical truth.”
“Reparation cannot be reduced to mere material compensation,” he noted. To achieve lasting peace, he argued that the process must be one of moral and cultural transformation that reconstructs the human bond through mutual recognition and a shared vision for the future.
University of Coimbra’s Highest Honor
Following his lecture, President Neves was presented with the Medal of the University of Coimbra, the institution’s highest distinction. It was the first time Rector Amílcar Falcão has awarded the medal during his tenure, following a unanimous vote by the University Senate.
Rector Falcão praised Neves’s career—from his time as a student in Coimbra to his roles as Prime Minister and President—noting that the award recognizes his role in establishing Cape Verde as an international benchmark for democracy, stability, and the rule of law.
“By honoring Your Excellency, we also pay tribute to the values you represent: democracy, peace, cooperation between peoples, and humanism,” Falcão said.
A Metaphor for Global Order
In a concluding metaphor, the President compared his vision for international relations to the FIFA World Cup. He envisioned a global order where nations are “capable of rivaling without destroying themselves, of asserting themselves without excluding, and of celebrating their singularities while sharing a common destiny.”
For Neves, the honor from the University of Coimbra is not just a personal achievement but a testament to Cape Verde’s journey as a credible, inclusive, and environmentally conscious nation on the world stage.
Image: Pexels – Carlos Machado
