The Slave Route
- Flogging on a slave (1863) © US National Archives
Ignorance or concealment of major historical events constitute an obstacle to mutual understanding, reconciliation and cooperation among peoples. UNESCO has thus decided to break the silence surrounding the slave trade and slavery that have affected all continents and have caused the great upheavals that have shaped our modern societies.
The Slave Route Project, launched in Ouidah, Benin, in 1994, has three objectives, namely to:
- contribute to a better understanding of the causes, forms of operation, issues and consequences of slavery in the world (Africa, Europe, the Americas, the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean, Middle East and Asia);
- highlight the global transformations and cultural interactions that have resulted from this history; and
- contribute to a culture of peace by promoting reflection on cultural pluralism, intercultural dialogue and the construction of new identities and citizenships.
The project has played a significant role in securing recognition by the United Nations, at the World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, held in Durban in 2001, of the slave trade and slavery as crimes against humanity.
Drawing on the expertise of an International Scientific Committee, the project deals with various aspects of this human tragedy and is active in the following areas:
• support for scientific research through a network of international institutions and specialists;
• development of educational materials;
• collection and preservation of written archives and oral traditions;
• inventory and preservation of memorial sites and places;
• promotion of living cultures;
• promotion of diverse contributions from the African diaspora;
• promotion of standard-setting instruments for the suppression of slavery.
2010, International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures
Université d'Hivernage «Esclavage en patrimoine: Représenter l’histoire dans l’espace public»
Human Rights Day 2009 celebrated under the slogan "Embrace diversity, End discrimination"
UN celabrates the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery (2 December)
“Slavery exists in households around the world” says UN expert on contemporary forms of slavery (Geneva, 1 December 2009)
Réunion du Réseau International des Anneaux de la Mémoire à Limbé, au Cameroun, les 4 et 5 décembre 2009
Call for Papers: 2nd International Conference on Caribbean Studies (ICCS), March 15-19, 2010 Cartagena, Colombia
Rencontre internationale Racialisation et Ethnicisation
Just published: Slavery, Islam and Diaspora
Traite négrière et esclavage : la traversée
« Chemins d’esclaves»: exposition temporaire de la collection de Julien Sinzogan au Musée d’Angoulême, du 3 octobre 2009 au 3 janvier 2010
Intangible cultural heritage from the slave trade and slavery promoted in Abu Dhabi
Costa Rica: launching of a collection of educational materials on the influence of Afro-descended in Central America
23rd August: Remembrance of Slave Trade and of its Abolition
Closing session of the meeting of the International Scientific Committee of the Slave Route Project
UNESCO launches first-ever survey of historical and contemporary slavery
UNESCO pays tribute to Martinique poet Aimé Césaire
Inaugural Rastafari Studies Conference on the theme: "Negociating the African Presence: Rastafari, Livity and Scholarship"
Mona - Jamaica
Rethinking Multiculturalism: Brazil, Canada, and the United States
Toronto - Canada
La Route de l'esclave et de l'engagisme: Objectif Pondichéry 2010
Pondichéry - Inde
Traites et esclavages dans les espaces arabo-musulman et transatlantique
Lyon - France
Bridging Two Oceans: Slavery in Indian and Atlantic Worlds
Cape Town - South Africa
Presentation of The Slave Route Project in Xalapa, Mexico
Xalapa - Mexico
Abolition of the Transatlantic Trade: Effects on the Indian Ocean
London - UK
2009 Anti-Slavery Award honours S.O.S. Esclaves
London - UK
La Route de l'esclave dans le Rio de la Plata: Séminaire international et atelier
Buenos Aires - Argentine
Slavery and Slave Trade : Confronting Views between Social Science and Visual Arts
Ouagadoudou - Bourkina Faso
Workshop on SAVE Tourism Building Economic Opportunities and Scientific Capacities by Preserving Resources
Cape Town - South Africa
Slave Routes: A Global Vision
Paris - France
Migrants and Diversity: Understanding Trends & Traditions
London - UK
Slavery in All its Forms: A Short Course and Conference Organized by WISE
Hull - UK
V symposium "Africania"
Mexico - Mexico
"Waters of Memory" Exhibition
Washington, D.C. - U.S.A.
SLAVERY REMEMBRANCE DAY FESTIVAL
Liverpool - UK
UNESCO Day and Africa Week Celebration 2009 in Bristol, UK
Bristol - UK
Visit of the President of the UNESCO Executive Board in Cuba
Matanzas - Cuba
Meeting of the International Scientific Committee of the Project “The Slave Route”
Paris - France
9th International Festival of Films against Exclusion and for Tolerance (FIFET)
"Visions of slavery in film"
Paris - France
African Diaspora Heritage Trail (ADHT)
Nassau - Bahamas