Conference of the African Diaspora in the Americas starts this Thursday, 29, in Salvador

Salvador will be center of attention between August 29 and 31, 2024, when it will host the Conference of the African Diaspora in the Americas. The event is sponsored by the Government of Togo, the Brazilian Federal Government and the State Government of Bahia, with the support from the Federal University of Bahia [UFBA] and the Brazil-Africa Institute.

The conference will gather experts, researchers, relevant names in culture and representatives from social movements and the public and private sectors. The program will be exclusive for conference participants and focus on themes such as Pan-Africanism, Memory, Restitution, Reparation and Reconstruction.

A press conference is scheduled for August 29 at 8:00 a.m., when the main themes of the event will be presented.

With the goal of promoting the exchange of ideas and experiences, the conference reflects  Brazil's commitment to the appreciation of African heritage and the global struggle for racial equality and social justice. Brazil's Minister of Racial Equality, Anielle Franco, highlighted the relevance of the event, stating that “the conference will be a significant international venue to promote the exchange of policies regarding memory and reparation and to advance the discussions about the importance of historical truth in the reparation of the damages caused by slavery."

Confirmed speakers for August 29:

• Dr. Gnaka Lagoke – Pan-Africanism: Assistant Professor of History at Lincoln University, founder of the Africa Alliance for the 21st Century and specialist in international conferences and community activities.
• Dr. Helena Theodoro – Memory: Visiting Professor in the Graduate Program in Philosophy at IFCS/UFRJ and holder of the Maria Firmina dos Reis Chair at CBAE/UFRJ, with a focus on research and dissemination of Afro-Brazilian culture and human rights.
• Dr. Thula Pires – Memory: PhD in Constitutional Law from PUC-Rio, coordinator of the Graduate Program in Law and NIREMA, with a focus on Latinx/Afro-Latin American and Afro-Diasporic topics.
• Dr. Barryl Biekman – Reparation and Restitution: Activist and politician with a degree in Pedagogy from the Rijksuniversiteit Leiden, coordinator of projects between Suriname and The Hague and president of the Landelijk Platform Slavernijverleden.
• Yolian Ogbu – Reconstruction: Young activist and student of Political Science and Communication at the University of North Texas, with an emphasis on civic engagement among youth and women.

The Conference of the African Diaspora in the Americas is a unique opportunity to discuss and reaffirm the importance of the African heritage and the struggles for racial equality and social justice.