Global Africa : Exploring the African Presence in the World

Africa and its Diasporas, have often been presented as distinct groups, separated by oceans that have had only sporadic contacts during brief historical moments. UNESCO, in line with the elaboration of the General History of Africa, seeks to challenge this binary and simplistic perspective of relations between Africa and its Diasporas by introducing the concept of a global Africa. This concept makes it possible to understand the history of relations between Africans and people of African descent as an interconnected and continuous process, including the circulation of people, knowledge, know-how and cultural productions, and whose matrix is the African heritage.

The session highlighted the African influence in the world and the diversity of contributions of people of African descent to modern societies. It examined the legacy of slavery and colonialism faced by people of African descent and their capacity to resist in the fight against racial prejudice, racism and discrimination. This thematic session also focused on how the African diaspora participates in the development of the continent, and how they are a key actor to contribute to the Culture of Peace.

The session was as such enable to:

• Explore the ties that bind Africa and its diaspora around the Globe.
• Exchange of best practices for the support African diaspora, and how they in turn partake in the development of the continent.

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