International Decade for People of African Descent

The International Decade for People of African Descent, 2015โ€“2024,[1][2] was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in a Resolution (68/237) adopted on 23 December 2013.[3] The theme of the International Decade is "People of African descent: recognition, justice and development".[1]

Stated objectives

The stated objectives of the International Decade for People of African Descent are to:

Background

The seeds of the International Decade for People of African Descent were sown in 2001 with the third World Conference against Racism, which led to the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action.[5] The Durban Declaration, in addition to declaring that the people of Africa had been victimized by slavery and continued to suffer as a result, called for states to adopt specific steps to help combat racism and xenophobia and to protect its victims. During the International Year for People of African Descent, ten years later, the UN called for these efforts to intensify. Two years later, in December 2013, the UN resolved that 1 January 2015 would launch the International Decade for People of African Descent.

On its launch, the UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Flavia Pansieri said:

The road to a world free from racism, prejudice and stigma is rocky. Combating racial discrimination is a long-term effort. It requires commitment and persistence. People of African descent need encouragement and support. Member States have the moral and legal obligation to provide sustained political and financial backing to make the Decade effective an[d] to continue our path toward equal and just societies.[6][7]

Activity within different nations

Accompong

In 2017 the Accompong Maroons launched the Door of Return Initiative in cooperation with Ghana and Nigeria[8] for which Nigeria unveiled the first symbolic monument during its Diaspora Festival in Badagry[9]. The initiative involves erecting a series of monuments across Africa to signify the openness of Africa towards the Diaspora, and is intended to bring new investment to the continent in areas of tourism and sustainable infrastructure development[10].

United States

In 2015 the UN marked the beginning of the International Decade for People of African Descent by unveiling a "Permanent Memorial for the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade" on 25 March, International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, at UN Headquarters in New York City. The memorial, entitled The Ark of Return is by Haitian-American architect Rodney Leon, who also designed the African Burial Ground National Monument.[11]

While this activity is located in the US, it is a UN activity that is not sponsored by the United States.

United Kingdom

So far, the British government has no plans to mark the International Decade for People of African Descent. Its official response only refers to the UK's generic anti-discrimination policies, it makes no specific reference to Africa or people of African descent living in Britain.

References

  1. ^ a b c "2015โ€“2024 International Decade for People of African Descent, United Nations.
  2. ^ " International Decades", United Nations.
  3. ^ "Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 23 December 2013 ... 68/237. Proclamation of the International Decade for People of African Descent", United Nations General Assembly.
  4. ^ "UN International Decade for People of African Descent: 2015-2024", The Journal of Pan African Studies, vol. 8, no. 1, June 2015, p. 228.
  5. ^ "UN Launches International Decade for People of African Descent". International Justice Resource Center. Retrieved 2015-09-30.
  6. ^ "UN Launches International Decade for People of African Descent", International Justice Resource Center, 27 January 2015.
  7. ^ Statement by Flavia Pansieri, Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights at Launch of the International Decade for People of African Descent, Geneva, PN Cinema Room XIV, 16 December 2014. United Nations Human Rights.
  8. ^ "AFRICA: 4 Nations sign up On Door of Return with Accompong, Jamaica to drive Tourism with Diaspora | ATQ News". www.atqnews.com. Retrieved 2019-06-28.
  9. ^ "Abike Dabiri-Erewa, others endorse Badagry Diaspora Festival, Door-of-Return ceremony". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2016-11-09. Retrieved 2019-06-28.
  10. ^ "Jamaica Observer Limited". Jamaica Observer. Retrieved 2019-06-28.
  11. ^ "Unveiling of the Permanent Memorial to Honour the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade at the United Nations". UNESCO.org. 26 March 2015. Retrieved 11 August 2016.

This page was last updated at 2019-11-12 16:21 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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