The Slave Route
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.
- 15-09-2009
Costa Rica: launching of a collection of educational materials on the influence of Afro-descended in Central America
More
- 20-02-2009
Closing session of the meeting of the International Scientific Committee of the Slave Route Project
More
Bridging Two Oceans: Slavery in Indian and Atlantic Worlds
Cape Town - South Africa- 19-11-2009 -
- 23-11-2009
More
Presentation of The Slave Route Project in Xalapa, Mexico
Xalapa - Mexico- 12-11-2009 -
- 12-11-2009
More
Abolition of the Transatlantic Trade: Effects on the Indian Ocean
London - UK- 03-11-2009 -
- 03-11-2009
More
La Route de l'esclave dans le Rio de la Plata: Séminaire international et atelier
Buenos Aires - Argentine- 26-10-2009 -
- 29-10-2009
More
Slavery and Slave Trade : Confronting Views between Social Science and Visual Arts
Ouagadoudou - Bourkina Faso- 25-10-2009 -
- 01-11-2009
More
Workshop on SAVE Tourism Building Economic Opportunities and Scientific Capacities by Preserving Resources
Cape Town - South Africa- 15-10-2009 -
- 16-10-2009
More
Slavery in All its Forms: A Short Course and Conference Organized by WISE
Hull - UK- 21-09-2009 -
- 26-09-2009
More
UNESCO Day and Africa Week Celebration 2009 in Bristol, UK
Bristol - UK- 16-08-2009 -
- 24-08-2009
More
Visit of the President of the UNESCO Executive Board in Cuba
Matanzas - Cuba- 15-06-2009 -
- 20-06-2009
More
Meeting of the International Scientific Committee of the Project “The Slave Route”
Paris - France- 17-02-2009 -
- 18-02-2009
More
9th International Festival of Films against Exclusion and for Tolerance (FIFET)
"Visions of slavery in film"
Paris - France
- 05-12-2008 -
- 14-12-2008
More
African Burial Ground National Monument
New York - United States of America- 05-10-2007 -
- 05-10-2007
More
Report of the last Session of the International Scientific Committee for the Slave Route Project (February 2009)
More
The 2006 Slave Route Brochure
More
The International Scientific Committee Restructured
More
The Slave Route Newsletter N° 4
More
