The United States of the World at World African Culture Day
Secretary-General Michele Capasso with a delegation from various African countries aderned to the United States of the World will participate in the "World African Culture Day".
The 40th session of UNESCO's General Conference declared 24 January "World Day for African and Afro-descendant Culture (WDAC)", following a draft resolution submitted by Togo and supported by many Member States. This initiative followed a remarkable mobilisation effort undertaken over several years by the Franco-Togolese, Mr John Ayité Dossavi, through his NGO, the Réseau Africain des Promoteurs et Entrepreneurs Culturels (RAPEC). The aim of the day is to "celebrate the cultures of the African continent and African diasporas around the world".
24 January 2024 will mark the fifth anniversary of the WDAC. The initiators of this day believe that this is the right time to symbolically organise activities at UNESCO headquarters to mark this day. It will be an opportunity to promote the contributions of Africans and Afro-descendants to the evolution of the world and to universal culture.
This activity is linked to other similar initiatives led by Togo, notably the Decade of African Roots and Diasporas and the 9th Pan-African Congress.
Because Africanness is not limited to the geographical area of Africa (because African culture, through the twists and turns of history, has spread throughout the world), all countries with African or Afro-descendant communities on their soil can join in the celebration, which will take place at UNESCO headquarters, 125, Avenue Suffren, 75007, Paris, on 23 January 2024 from 2.30pm.
The commemoration will consist of a solemn ceremony followed by festive events at UNESCO headquarters in Paris.
It will include:
- Official speeches by the Togolese Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Director-General of UNESCO;
- A high-level panel to discuss the theme;
- A cocktail reception showcasing the variety of Afro culinary delights (from all regions of the world), with cultural entertainment provided by the African and Afro-descendant diasporas.
24 January was chosen because it is the date on which the Charter for an African Cultural Renaissance was adopted in 2006 by the Heads of State and Government of the African Union.
