2017 Remembrance Programme

"Remember Slavery: Recognising the Legacy and Contributions of People of African Descent"

The 2017 theme focuses on specific consequences of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, namely the ways in which enslaved Africans and their descendants influenced and continue to shape societies around the world, including in the areas of technology and culture. It also highlights the persistent spirit and innovation of the people in communities affected by the Transatlantic Slave Trade.

Calendar of Events | United Nations activities around the world

Calendar of Events

Download the Programme of Events for 2017 

27 December 2017

Exploring The Ark of Return, The Permanent Memorial to Honour the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, a celebration of Kwanzaa at the African Burial Ground National Monument, New York

The United Nations Remember Slavery Programme helped celebrate African heritage with a presentation during Kwanzaa, the annual African-American celebration, at the African Burial Ground National Monument in New York City, on Wednesday, 27 December. The day is referred to as Kujichagulia or “self-determination”, which ties in with Architect Rodney Leon’s interpretation of the elements of the Permanent Memorial –acknowledge the tragedy, consider the legacy, lest we forget –which deal with the past, present and future. During two half-hour sessions, the Remember Slavery team used slides, a video and a trivia quiz to help the audience learn about the Ark of Return.

17-18 October 2017

United Nations Remember Slavery Programme and Partners Recognize People of African Descent at events in Washington, D.C.

The legacy and contributions of people of African descent were recognized at two events organized by the United Nations Department of Public Information and partners in the Washington, D.C. area, in October 2017. A moderated discussion titled, “The Legacy and Contributions of People of African Descent” was held on Tuesday, 17 October at the Jack Morton Auditorium at The George Washington University campus in partnership with The George Washington University (GWU), Howard University, Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) and Afrodiaspora, Inc. On the following day, Wednesday, 18 October, the premiere screening of the documentary film, Familiar Faces/Unexpected Places: A Global African Diaspora, followed by a moderated discussion, was held at the Hall of the Americas in partnership with the Office of the Assistant Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS) and Afrodiaspora, Inc. The film highlights the countless Afro-communities found in unexpected parts of the world, such as Turkey and India, and shows how African descendants maintained elements of their shared culture.

12 May 2017

Global Student Videoconference brings together students from Jamaica, Liberia and United States to discuss Black achievement

The Department of Public Information partnered with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Associated Schools Project Network and Links, Inc., to hold its ninth annual Remember Slavery Global Student Videoconference on 12 May 2017. Through sharing presentations and artistic performances, students learned about the ways in which enslaved Africans and their descendants influenced and continue to shape societies around the world, including in the areas of technology, social activism and culture. Featured speakers included H. E. Mr. José Luis Fialho Rocha, Permanent Representative of Cabo Verde to the United Nations; H.E. Ms. Pennelope Althea Beckles, Permanent Representative of Trinidad and Tobago to the United Nations; and Dr. Richard Benjamin, Head of the International Slavery Museum in Liverpool, United Kingdom. Delivering a spoken word performance was Soré Agbaje, a graduate of Urban Word NYC. The event was moderated by Kimberly Mann, Chief, Education Outreach Section, Outreach Division, UN Department of Public Information. Watch the archived webcast.

30 March 2017

Civil society gathering discusses socio-economic contributions of people of African descent

The United Nations Department of Public Information hosted a briefing for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) on 30 March 2017 titled "The Transatlantic Slave Trade and the Socio-Economic Contributions of People of African Descent". Organized by the Remember Slavery Programme in partnership with the NGO Relations, Advocacy & Special Events Section, the event was held in the Economic and Social Council Chamber at United Nations Headquarters in New York and was moderated by Professor Abena P. A. Busia of Rutgers University. Additional panellists included: Joseph  E. Inikori, Professor, University of Rochester; Cy Richardson, Senior Vice President for Economics and Housing Programs, National Urban League; Verene A. Shepherd, Professor, University of the West Indies, Mona Campus; and Ben Vinson III, Dean of the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, George Washington University. Watch the archived webcast.

24 March 2017

UN commemorates International Day of Remembrance of Victims of Slavery and Transatlantic Slave Trade in New York

The International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade was observed at United Nations Headquarters in New York with a number of events. They included a commemorative meeting of the General Assembly, which featured remarks by the Secretary-General, the President of the General Assembly, Member States and keynote speaker Dr. Lonnie G. Bunch III, Director of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC. There was also a ceremony to launch new elements of The Ark of Return, the Permanent Memorial to Honour the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade at the United Nations, as well as a cultural and culinary event featuring live music. Watch the archived webcast.

23 March 2017

Video on Cuban music and other new initiatives highlight tragedy of slavery and triumph of Black achievement

In honour of the Remember Slavery Programme’s 10-year anniversary, the Department of Public Information has rolled out a new logo and entered into new partnerships to better meet its goals. For its part, the video series "UNStories" has produced a 90-second video, titled The African Roots of Cuba's Music, on the transatlantic slave trade’s impact on the culture and music of Cuba.

7 March 2017

New exhibit called "A Legacy of Black Achievement" opens at UN Headquarters

A new exhibit, entitled “A Legacy of Black Achievement,” was displayed in the Visitors’ Lobby at United Nations Headquarters in New York from 8 to 29 March 2017. Produced by the International Slavery Museum in Liverpool, the exhibit featured 21 notable personalities of various backgrounds, eras, regions and disciplines, who paved the way for civil rights, human rights, recognition and justice for people of African descent in Africa, Europe, the Americas and across the globe. It was presented in partnership with the United Nations Department of Public Information’s Remember Slavery Programme. More information available here.

18 February 2017

UN Remember Slavery Programme partners with African Burial Ground to screen documentary on Maya Angelou

On 18 February 2017, the United Nations Department of Public Information’s Remember Slavery Programme partnered with the African Burial Ground National Monument to host two screenings of the film “Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise” in New York This first documentary about Dr. Angelou is a celebration of her life as a renowned writer, artist and activist. The screenings included a discussion with the film’s co-director and producer, Rita Coburn Whack. Full story available here.