Antananarivo, Madagascar

A student poses a question at the commemorative
ceremony organized by UNIC Antananarivo (Photo:
UNIC Antananarivo)

On 27 March 2019, the UNIC in Antananarivo worked with partners in the UN system and the National Independent Commission on Human Rights to organize a commemorative ceremony to mark the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Participants included representatives from civil society and students from local universities. The UNIC also organized an exhibition on the United Nations Permanent Memorial to Honour the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, also known as the Ark of Return, which was displayed at schools and universities. In addition, the Centre organized two workshops on modern slavery, held at the UNIC and Estiim University; and a screening of the film Slavery Routes: 1620 -1789: From sugar to rebellion.

Brazzaville, Congo

UNIC National Information Officer Prosper
Mihindou-Ngoma with participants at the commemorative
event to mark the International Day in Brazzaville
(Photo: UNIC Brazzaville)

On the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, UNIC Brazzaville organized an outreach event for 100 university students. In his introductory remarks, UNIC National Information Officer Prosper Mihindou-Ngoma spoke about several of the Sustainable Development Goals that were relevant to remembrance of the transatlantic slave trade and modern slavery, including Goals 16 and 17. The students received t-shirts, produced by the Centre and a brochure about the Ark of Return. Participants also viewed the Secretary-General's video message for the day prior to listening to remarks by a guest speaker on the social, economic and cultural legacy of enslaved people from the Central Africa region in Haiti. A question and answer session followed.

Bujumbura, Burundi

A student poses a question at the commemorative
briefing to mark the International Day in Bujumbura
(Photo: UNIC Bujumbura)

Almost 150 students from the Lycée of Bujumbura Islamic Cultural Centre participated in an outreach activity to mark the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, on 27 March 2019 at the UNIC Bujumbura office. The programme included a briefing to students on the transatlantic slave trade, a screening of the Secretary-General’s video message prepared for the day, a screening of the film Heart of Lion and a visit to the exhibit “Remember Slavery: Say It Loud”. The event concluded with a lively discussion where students discussed the causes, consequences and lessons of the transatlantic slave trade and the dangers of racism that persist today.

Dakar, Senegal

Students from the Lycée d’Excellence Birago Diop in
Dakar (Photo: UNIC Dakar)

UNIC Dakar, in cooperation the Higher Institute of Management (ISM) and the Lycée d’Excellence Birago Diop, organized a commemorative event on 30 April 2019 at the ISM. More than 250 students of different nationalities participated in a discussion led by a professor of history on the transatlantic slave trade and the significance of the Ark of Return. UNIC Dakar produced a video of the commemorative event. This activity was part of a more comprehensive programme scheduled to take place in June 2019.

Harare, Zimbabwe

Participants at the commemorative event held in
Harare to mark the International Day
(Photo: UNIC Harare)

UNIC Harare commemorated the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade on 25 March. The commemoration was held with more than 100 students and lecturers at the Catholic University of Zimbabwe. The guest speaker was Daniel Sam, Head of Migration and Development at the International Organization for Migration (IOM). During his presentation, Sam highlighted the interlinkages between modern forms of slavery and migration. Meanwhile, Tafadzwa Mwale of UNIC Harare provided background on the International Day. The UNIC also mounted the exhibition “Remember Slavery: Say it Loud” outside the meeting area. The exhibition was donated to the university.

Lagos, Nigeria

More than 1,000 students participated in
commemorative events at Badagry Grammar School
in Lagos. (Photo: UNIC Lagos)

UNIC Lagos collaborated with the Lagos State Education District V to hold a commemorative event to mark the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade at Badagry Grammar School, on 25 March 2019. More than 1,000 students participated in activities related to drama, poetry and song, which recounted the ills of slavery. Participants also had the opportunity to view the exhibit “Remember Slavery: Say It Loud”. The event featured a visit to the Mobee Royal Palace, the Mobee Royal Family Slave Relics Museum and the Badagry Heritage Museum, located along the Badagry Slave Route.

Lomé, Togo

UNIC Lomé organizes a visit to the Wood House,
once owned by a Scottish slave trader
(Photo: UNIC Lomé)

To mark the International Day, UNIC Lomé organized several commemorative activities. On 19 March, the UNIC organized a visit with 200 students to the Wood House, which was built in 1835 and owned by Scottish slave trader John Henry Wood. Enslaved Africans were held in the cellar and taken to the Puit des enchaînés (Well of the Chained) for their last bath before being sent to the Americas. The UNIC also organized commemorative events on 25 March, which included a screening and discussion of the film Slavery Routes: 1620-1789: From sugar to rebellion and an exhibit of the Ark of Return.

Lusaka, Zambia

Students participate in a film screening at Lusaka Girls
High School (Photo: UNIC Lusaka)

UNIC Lusaka marked the International Day by organizing two educational outreach activities at two schools in Lusaka province, involving more than 950 students. The activities included a screening and discussion of the film Slavery Routes: 1620 -1789: From sugar to rebellion. The discussion focused on the causes of the transatlantic slave trade, its legacy in Africa and the importance of educating children about human rights abuses. The activities were organized in partnership with the Ministry of General Education. In addition, the UNIC displayed a poster exhibition on the transatlantic slave. UNIC Lusaka also engaged in a social media campaign to promote the International Day on Facebook and Twitter, as well as through bulk SMS, reaching 40,000 mobile phone users.

Nairobi, Kenya

Student participants participate in a film screening at
UNIC Nairobi (Photo: UNIC Nairobi)

The UNIC in Nairobi marked the International Day through several events including a commemorative ceremony, a display of the exhibit “Remember Slavery: Say It Loud” and a screening and discussion of the film Slavery routes: 1620 – 1789: From sugar to rebellion. More than 500 students from 12 universities attended the commemorative ceremony, which included remarks by Paul Zeleza, Vice Chancellor of the United States International University-Africa (USIU), and Godfrey Nienga, a lecturer from Riara University. UNIC Deputy Director Newton Kanhema delivered the Secretary-General’s message and moderated the discussion. Later, on 10 May, the UNIC facilitated the participation of Kenyan students in the eleventh annual United Nations Remember Slavery Global Student Videoconference.

Yaoundé, Cameroon

Students participate in a commemorative event held
in Yaoundé (Photo: UNIC Yaoundé)

The International Day was commemorated by UNIC Yaoundé on 26 March with an educational event held at the Holy Cross International College in Yaoundé. Representatives of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the United Nations Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Central Africa participated in the discussion. The main objective of the event was to encourage students to fight against discrimination by raising awareness of the dangers of racism and prejudice today. Highlights of the event included a panel discussion, a display of the exhibit “Remember Slavery: Say It Loud”, a screening and discussion of the film Slavery Routes 1620 – 1789: From sugar to rebellion, and a sketch performed by Members of the UNESCO Federation Club..

THE AMERICAS

Bogotá, Colombia

Panelists at the commemorative event organized by
UNIC Bogota (Photo: UNIC Bogota)

UNIC Bogotá organized an event focusing on creative solutions to climate change within the Afro-descendent community of Tumaco, which has been disproportionately affected by armed conflict and illegal economies. Speakers included UNIC Director Helene Papper and representatives of the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Colombian Secretary of the Environment. The UNIC screened the documentary film Slavery Routes: 1620 -1789: From sugar to rebellion, which was followed by a panel discussion and a screening of the film Chocolate Caliente. With the support of WFP, the Tumaco community has developed the art of chocolate-making based on ancestral knowledge.

Panama City, Panama

Launch of UNESCO publication Legacies of Slavery:
A Resource Book for Managers of Sites and Itineraries
of Memory in Panama (Photo: UNIC Panama)

The UNIC in Panama organized commemorative events throughout May in connection with Panama’s Black Ethnicity Month. It displayed the exhibit “A Legacy of Black Achievement” at the University of Panama’s Faculty of the Humanities. The exhibit was also shown at the university’s library. The UNIC complemented the exhibit with a display of photos of Afro-Panamanians who promoted positive changes in education, journalism, human rights and other fields. The UNIC also collaborated with UNESCO to launch UNESCO’s publication entitled Legacies of Slavery: A Resource Book for Managers of Sites and Itineraries of Memory.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Participants at the film screening of Slavery routes:
1620 – 1789; From Sugar to Rebellion, held in Brazil
(Photo: UNIC Rio de Janeiro)

On 7 May 2019, UNIC Rio de Janeiro organized a screening and discussion of the documentary film Slavery Routes: 1620-1789: From sugar to rebellion. The event was opened by UNIC Director Maurizio Giuliano, who spoke about the history of the transatlantic slave trade and forms of modern slavery. The screening was followed by a debate moderated by Raquel Quintiliano, Associate Professor for Public Policy and Human Rights at the Universidade Federal de Roraima (UFR). Presentations were made by Fernanda Barros, a doctoral student in Political Science at the Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF), and Filó Filho, a cultural producer and organizer of Black Movement Rio, CULTNE and the festival Flisamba. The presentations focused on the legacy of the transatlantic slave trade in Brazil. Some 120 people participated in the event, which was held at the premises of the Itamaraty Palace. The UNIC also organized an exhibit featuring diplomatic correspondence from the Itamaraty Palace dating back to the transatlantic slave trade.

ASIA AND THE PACIFIC

Islamabad, Pakistan

Speakers at the screening and discussion of the film
Slavery Routes: 1620 -1789: From sugar to rebellion
in Pakistan (Photo: UNIC Islamabad)

To mark the International Day, UNIC Islamabad organized a screening and discussion of the film Slavery Routes: 1620 -1789: From sugar to rebellion. The screening was organized in cooperation with the Inter University Consortium for the Promotion of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities, Pakistan, and COMSATS University Islamabad. In his opening remarks, Resident Coordinator and WFP Country Director Finbarr Curran shared his reflections on the transatlantic slave trade and underscored the importance of commemorating the International Day. Students discussed the causes of slavery, as well as modern slavery. Other speakers included Shahida Gilani and Asif Jah from the Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Unit at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and Adnan Fida, the Faculty Head at COMSATS University.

New Delhi, India

Display of the exhibit “Remember Slavery: Say It Loud”
in New Delhi (Photo: UNIC New Delhi)

The UNIC for India and Bhutan marked the International Day by organizing activities in collaboration with the India International Centre, an influential think tank in New Delhi. The UNIC displayed the poster exhibit “Remember Slavery: Say It Loud” from 25 to 31 March. The exhibit received more than 800 visitors. The UNIC also screened the film Slavery Routes: 1620 - 1789: From sugar to rebellion and created seven social media cards to generate momentum. The cards generated around 2000 impressions each.

EUROPE

Geneva, Switzerland

The United Nations Information Service (UNIS) in Geneva organized several events to mark the International Day. The exhibition “Remember Slavery: Say It Loud” was displayed at the Palais des Nations, from 25 March to 18 April 2019. UNIS Geneva also organized a screening of the film Slavery Routes: 1620 -1789: From sugar to rebellion.

Minsk, Belarus

Display of the exhibit “Remember Slavery: Say It Loud”
in Belarus (Photo: UNO Minsk)

On 25 March, the UNO in Minsk organized several events in cooperation with the Belarusian State University’s International Relations Faculty. Those included a screening of the film Slavery Routes: 1620 - 1789: From Sugar to Rebellion, which was translated into Russian by the UNO, and a display of the exhibit “Remember Slavery: Say It Loud”. Both events were held at the university. In his introductory remarks to participants, United Nations National Information Officer Victor Radivinovski spoke about the history of the transatlantic slave trade and modern slavery. A representative of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) spoke about the agency’s efforts in combatting human trafficking.

Yerevan, Armenia

UNO Yerevan receives a group of 70 students for
a discussion and screening of the film Slavery Routes
1620 – 1789: From sugar to Rebellion
(Photo: UNO Yerevan)

To commemorate the International Day, UNO Yerevan organized an event for 70 students from three schools from Yerevan and Kotayk province. The event took place on 1 April at the UNO and was aimed at raising awareness about the human rights violations committed during the transatlantic slave trade. The UNO screened a UNESCO filmed entitled Soul of Resistance and the documentary Slavery Routes 1620 – 1789: From sugar to Rebellion in Russian, which was followed by a discussion.