In alignment with the African Union’s (AU) 2025 theme, “Justice for Africans and Individuals of African Descent by way of Reparations,” a two-day workshop shall be held on February 27-28, 2025, on the Kuriftu Resort African Village and the African Union Fee in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This initiative goals to deal with the enduring impacts of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Commerce, slavery, and colonization, whereas selling therapeutic and reparations for affected communities.
Organized by SECAM (Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar), the AU Catholic Chaplaincy, HWPL (Heavenly Tradition, World Peace, Restoration of Mild), COPAB (Pan African Convention on Ethics and Bioethics), IAPD-Africa (Interreligious Affiliation for Peace and Growth), URI (United Religions Initiative), and different key companions, in collaboration with the Residents and Diaspora Directorate (CIDO) of the African Union Fee, the workshop will collect AU officers, diplomats, non secular leaders, students, human rights advocates, and policymakers to advance the AU’s reparations agenda.
The Name for Reparative Justice
For hundreds of years, Africans and folks of African descent have endured the results of historic injustices, together with financial disenfranchisement, social marginalization, and psychological trauma. The legacies of slavery, colonization, apartheid, and genocide proceed to impression communities immediately. Recognizing this, the AU is devoted to addressing these points by way of complete insurance policies, advocacy, and international engagement.
Ghana, a frontrunner within the reparations motion, has made important contributions to this trigger by way of initiatives just like the 2019 “12 months of Return.” This workshop goals to construct on such efforts by amplifying the voices of faith-based and moral organizations within the pursuit of justice.
Workshop Agenda Highlights
The 2-day occasion will function a various program, together with keynote addresses, panel discussions, and faith-based views on reparations.
On Day 1 (February 27, 2025), the workshop will happen on the Kuriftu Resort African Village, starting with a keynote deal with by Dr. Rita Bissoonauth, Head of the UNESCO Liaison Workplace to the African Union Fee (AUC) and Financial Fee for Africa (ECA). This shall be adopted by panel discussions that includes views from African Conventional Faith, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, together with insights from diaspora and international religion leaders. A particular session will concentrate on the moral and ethical imperatives of reparations, with contributions from HWPL, URI, All Africa Convention of Church buildings (AACC), CIDO, and SECAM. An open discussion board will present individuals a possibility for dialogue and coverage suggestions, concluding with a dinner hosted by SECAM for all attendees.
On Day 2 (February 28, 2025), the occasion will transfer to the African Union Fee. The agenda will embrace displays on transgenerational trauma, genocide, and peace-building initiatives in Africa, in addition to discussions on financial reparations, together with microfinancing alternatives. Worldwide views on advancing justice by way of reparations will even be explored. The occasion will conclude with the signing and presentation of the Addis Ababa Declaration on Justice for Africans and Individuals of African Descent By means of Reparations, adopted by closing remarks and commitments from collaborating organizations.
Anticipated Outcomes
The workshop seeks to reinforce consciousness of reparative justice inside religion communities and the general public. It goals to determine a coalition of faith-based and moral organizations devoted to this trigger and to develop coverage suggestions and an motion roadmap in partnership with the African Union. Moreover, a proper dedication doc supporting the AU’s 2025 reparations theme shall be produced as an end result of the workshop.
A Unified Name to Motion
This workshop underscores the important function of religion and moral communities in shaping public opinion, influencing coverage, and fostering reconciliation. By collaborating with the AU and international stakeholders, these organizations can play a transformative function in advancing justice and restitution for Africans and folks of African descent.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM).
For media inquiries, interviews, or additional info, please contact:
Fr. Dr. Stephen Okello
SECAM Liaison Officer to the African Union
Electronic mail: secamauliaisonoffice@gmail.com
Tel/WhatsApp: +251 939206491
