International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition

They were torn from their lands, enslaved, silenced. Yet their fight for freedom still speaks to us today. We remember all vicims of slavery over the years, and we continue to work for a world with no slavery, no racism, no hate. Statement of Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director General on the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition 2025; August 23rd.

The ‘ Ark of Return ’ at United Nations Headquarters  in NYC is a permanent memorial honouring the victims of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade . Designed by an American architect of Haitian descent, the memorial pays tribute to the courage of enslaved people, abolitionists and unsung heroes who helped end the oppression of slavery. It also serves as a reminder of the full history of slavery, urging visitors to acknowledge its legacy and to raise awareness of the ongoing dangers of racism, prejudice and slavery’s lingering consequences. On Saturday's, August 23rd , International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition , we pay homage to the victims of slavery and all who fought against the injustice of the slave trade.

Long reduced to silence, the memory of the Transatlantic trade began to emerge in the aftermath of the Second World War. Although it is now being recognized symbolically through memorial laws and national and international commemorations, its effects continue to be keenly felt. This can be seen in the manifestations of discrimination and racism that still affect Afro-descendants. On this international day of #remembrance , (re)discover our dedicated issue.

I see memorialization as the physical manifestation of our collective experience, memory and history. Our engagement with these spaces allows us to simultaneously reach back into the past and project ourselves into the future. The memorialization of public space allows often complex and contradictory needs to coexist simultaneously. It must provide space for individual reflection and contemplation of often tragic histories, and at the same time provide a place for collective gathering and celebration. I am but one of approximately 200 million in the western hemisphere with a distinct connection to the cultural legacy of people of African descent. Part of that connection has to do with my being a first-generation American-born son of Haitian immigrants. As such, my identity is constructed from a combination of American, Haitian and African components. The journey I have taken in my adult life through my work academically and professionally reflects a process of attempting to understand ...

 The Transatlantic Slave Trade Education Project (also known as the TST) is an integral part of the UNESCO Slave Route Project. It is conducted through UNESCO’s Associated Schools Project Network (ASP net) and involves just over 100 schools in three continents: Africa, Europe and the Americas/Caribbean. Under the title of " Breaking the Silence ", an opportunity has been given to young people to study the events and developments of their common past, regardless of their backgrounds and present day living conditions. Learn more on   Breaking the silence: the Transatlantic Slave Trade Education Project

On Thursday 21 August, City Hall hosted its annual event to mark UNESCO’s International Day for the Remembrance of the Transatlantic Slave Trade and its Abolition . The commemoration brought together Londoners, community leaders and artists to reflect on the impact of the Transatlantic Slave Trade and celebrate the resilience of African and Caribbean heritage communities . The event was chaired by BBC broadcaster Eddie Nestor MBE and featured a keynote address from Dr Denise E Noble, a Black Studies scholar and author. Reflections were also shared by members of City Hall’s Community Advisory Group: including Arthur Torrington CBE, founder of the Windrush Foundation; academic and author, Dr Javeria Khadija Shah; and fashion designer and entrepreneur, Lucy Isaiah. The programme also included performances of music, poetry and dance by African and Caribbean artists. This year’s theme, We Rise: Remembering the Past, Reimagining the Future , focused on the continued need to tackle racism and...