Universal League of Public Welfare
Her Majesty Queen Diambi Kabatusiila Honored with Gold Medal of the Ligue Universelle du Bien Public at the French Senate
In the gilded halls of the Palais du Luxembourg, seat of the French Senate, history met heritage as Her Majesty Queen Diambi Kabatusiila was awarded the prestigious Gold Medal of the Ligue Universelle du Bien Public (Universal League of Public Welfare). The ceremony, held at the Restaurant des Sénateurs, brought together distinguished guests to celebrate a monarch whose life’s work embodies the very essence of the League’s centuries-old motto: “Honneur et Dévouement” — Honor and Devotion.
A Legacy of Service Recognized
The Ligue Universelle du Bien Public, an organization whose roots trace back to 1464 when founded by Charles the Bold as a confederation to champion the welfare of the people, has evolved into a United Nations-recognized NGO and UNESCO-accredited institution. Under the transformative leadership of Paul Orsini in 1947, the League became “Universal,” opening its mission to the global community. Its Gold Medal represents the highest distinction among four levels of recognition — Silver, Silver with Palm, Silver with Crown, and Gold — and has previously been awarded to luminaries such as Abbé Pierre (founder of Emmaüs), cosmonauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin, the legendary Joséphine Baker, and humanitarian Father Pedro Opeka of Madagascar.
Queen Diambi’s induction into this distinguished company marks a significant moment of recognition for African traditional leadership on the world stage. The medal acknowledges her multifaceted contributions: her philanthropic initiatives providing clean water to communities in need, her dedicated work with orphanages caring for the most vulnerable, her tireless advocacy for the restoration and protection of environmental heritage, and her profound commitment to cultural preservation and representation.
A Queen of Two Worlds, Serving One Humanity
Born in Belgium to a Belgian mother and a Congolese diplomat father, Queen Diambi was raised in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. She was crowned Queen of the Bena Tshiyamba People of Bakwa Indu in the Central Kasai Region — part of the ancient Luba Empire — on August 31, 2016. Her enthronement by the Bakwa Luntu Chiefs on July 15, 2017, bestowed upon her the traditional title of Diambi Mukalenga Mukaji Wa Nkashama Wa Bakwa Luntu (Queen of the Order of the Leopard). Her influence extends far beyond her kingdom: in 2019, she was crowned Queen Mother of the Bantu People of Brazil in Salvador de Bahia, representing a diaspora of nearly 120 million people, and in 2022, she received the title of Queen of the Congo Descendants of Panama.
A scholar of remarkable breadth, Queen Diambi holds a Doctorate in Public Administration, a Doctorate of Philosophy in Humanities, a Professorship in International Law and Order, a Bachelor of Science in Business-Finance and advanced degrees in Applied Psychology and Mental Health Counseling. She is a trained EMDR therapist and practitioner of Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Her professional experience includes serving as an economic consultant with the Observatoire Social Européen in Brussels for the European Commission. Bridging Continents, Building Peace
As Founder and Executive Director of the Elikia Hope Foundation, with offices in New York and Kananga, Queen Diambi has channeled her resources into sustainable development and humanitarian relief. Yet her vision extends beyond material aid. She is a passionate advocate for what she calls the “restoration of African identity” — encouraging peoples of African descent worldwide to reconnect with their ancestral heritage, languages, folklore, and traditions. She believes these cultural foundations, rooted in compassion, solidarity, and reverence for the Creator, hold the keys to global harmony.
“The cultures, languages, folklore and traditions place the greatest value on compassion, solidarity and the primordial role of the Creator in all aspects of existence,” Queen Diambi has expressed. This philosophy aligns seamlessly with the Ligue Universelle du Bien Public’s mission to “safeguard human dignity, fight against discrimination and racism, protect the family, assist vulnerable children, combat poverty, and promote the protection of women at all levels.”
A Portrait of Grace
In a touching surprise during the ceremony, the League presented Queen Diambi with a magnificent painted portrait by artist Jean-Loup Othenin-Girard, capturing her radiant presence in traditional regalia. The artwork, rendered in warm, expressive brushstrokes, depicts her wearing the distinctive cowrie-shell headdress and ceremonial adornments of her royal office — a visual testament to the beauty and dignity of Central African heritage. The portrait serves as a permanent reminder of the evening’s celebration and the cultural bridge she represents.
An Evening of Distinction
The ceremony followed the League’s traditional protocol: guests were welcomed, followed by Mr. Jean-Claude Beaudry, the President of the league’s welcome address, the formal presentation of distinctions, a cocktail reception in the Salon Vaugirard and a gala dinner in the Salon Pourpre et Napoléon. As Queen Diambi stood in the opulent chambers of the French Senate, flanked by League officials in their ceremonial sashes, she represented not only the Bena Tshiyamba people but the aspirations of all who believe that leadership must be measured by service, that tradition can be a force for modern unity, and that humanity’s shared origins outweigh our apparent differences.
In joining the ranks of the Ligue Universelle du Bien Public’s most illustrious distinguished members, Queen Diambi Kabatusiila has once again demonstrated that the path to true royalty lies not in dominion, but in devotion.
PERSONAL REFLECTIONS: “How Do You Feel about receiving the Gold Medal
Standing in the Palais du Luxembourg, with the golden light of the French Senate’s chandeliers reflecting off the medal now resting in my hands, I am overwhelmed by a profound sense of gratitude — and responsibility.
How do I feel? I feel humbled. To be inducted into the Ligue Universelle du Bien Public is to join a lineage of souls who understood that true greatness lies in service. When I look at the names of those who have received this distinction before me — Abbé Pierre, who walked among the poorest of Paris; Joséphine Baker, who used her art to resist oppression and her heart to embrace all children; the brave cosmonauts who looked down upon Earth and saw not borders but one beautiful, fragile home — I ask myself: “Am I worthy of such company?” The answer must be earned anew every day.
I feel deeply moved. This medal is not merely a personal honor; it is a recognition of my people — the Bena Tshiyamba, the Bakwa Luntu, all the children of the great Luba Empire. It tells the world that African traditional leadership, our customs, our wisdom, our ways of governance rooted in consensus and communal welfare, have a place at the table of global human achievement. For too long, the narrative has suggested that modernity and tradition are enemies. Tonight, in this magnificent hall, they have shaken hands.
I feel inspired to do more. The Ligue Universelle du Bien Public was founded in 1464 to challenge those in power to remember their duty to the people. Today, that challenge continues. The medal’s weight in my palm reminds me of the weight of the work still ahead: the children who need clean water, the orphans who need loving homes, the forests that need protection, the cultures that need preservation, and the human family that needs, more than ever, to remember that we come from the same Source.
I feel connected. My life’s mission has been to build bridges. Between Africa and its diaspora. Also, between traditional wisdom and modern governance. And, between those who have much and those who have little. This recognition tells me that the message is being heard. When I speak of Elikia Hope, I am not speaking of wishful thinking. I am speaking of the certainty that when human beings recognize their shared origin. Also, their shared destiny becomes clear.
Most of all, I feel hopeful. The surprise portrait I received — that beautiful, unexpected gift — captured something beyond my likeness. It captured the spirit of a woman who believes that crowns are not for decoration but for dedication. Who believes that royal blood means nothing if it does not flow in service to the people. Who believes that the cowrie shells of my headdress and the gold medal of this League speak the same language. So, the language of honor, devotion, and love.
To the Ligue Universelle du Bien Public, I say: you have not simply honored a queen. You have honored the millions of voices I strive to represent. The voice of the African grandmother sharing ancient wisdom. As, the voice of the orphan child dreaming of a future. The voice of the earth itself crying out for protection, and the voice of every human soul whispering: “We are one family.”
I accept this medal with tears of joy, hands of gratitude, and a heart burning with renewed commitment. The work continues. The bridges must still be built. And now, with this precious recognition, I walk forward with even greater determination. Because the world has shown me that it is listening. And together, we can still sow the seeds of peace, understanding, and unity.
As the League so beautifully proclaims: “Et honneur à celui qui sème le bien!” — Honor to those who sow the good!
Her Majesty Queen DiambiQueen Diambi at the French Senate
