PURPOSE: The UNESCO established 23 August as International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition to pay tribute to all those who fought for freedom, and to continue teaching about their story and their values. The success of this rebellion, led by the slaves themselves, is a deep source of inspiration today for the fight against all forms of servitude, racism, prejudice, racial discrimination and social injustice that are a legacy of slavery. It was first celebrated in a number of countries, in particular in Haiti (23 August 1998) and Gorée Island in Senegal (23 August 1999).
FORUM: “Teaching Slavery.” International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition 2023. Let’s showing that applied knowledge of the antislavery past offers a way to ‘care for the future’.
EVENTS: The Republic of Haiti and Senegal, saw the beginning of the uprising that would play a crucial role in the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade. The International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition 2023 was commemorated on August 23rd. The Director-General of UNESCO have invited the Ministers of Culture of all Member States to organize events on that date, involving the entire population of their country and in particular young people, educators, artists and intellectuals.
WHY WE OBSERVE THE DAY?
This International Day is intended to inscribe the tragedy of the slave trade in the memory of all peoples. In accordance with the goals of the intercultural project "The Routes of Enslaved Peoples", it should offer an opportunity for collective consideration of the historic causes, the methods and the consequences of this tragedy, and for an analysis of the interactions to which it has given rise between Africa, Europe, the Americas and the Caribbean.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED!
Learn about the history of slavery through exhibits.
Educate the public about the history and legacies of slavery.
Focus on individual abolitionist leaders.
Recognize the equal and unconditional dignity of each and every individual.
Abolish human exploitation once and for all.
Remember the victims and freedom fighters of the past.
Inspire future generations to build just societies.
PARTNERSHIPS
The International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition is organized by the Permanent Mission of Haiti to the United Nations; The Permanent Mission of the Republic of Senegal to the United Nations and the Permanent Delegations to the UNESCO. With the participation of the Gorée museum attached to the Institut fondamental d'Afrique noire (IFAN); The Cape Coast Castle Museum; The Cape Coast Slave Castle, the British Slave Castle, Cape Coast; The Whitney Plantation; The International Slavery Museum; The National Museum of African American History; The Legacy Museum; The California African American Museum.