The International Conference on the Decade of Afro-descendants, being held in Havana, Cuba, from 9 to 13 December 2024, under the theme ‘Equality, equity and social justice’, will be attended by a number of players involved in the fight against racism in America and Africa, including the Republic of Togo. This global meeting is taking place against a backdrop of increasing racial discrimination, despite international and national initiatives to remedy the situation.
The persistence of institutional and individual racism underlines the urgent need for far-reaching reforms, as discrimination is widespread in many countries around the world. The International Conference on the Decade of the Afro-descendants of Africa, which opened on 9 December in Havana, Cuba, provides an opportunity for human rights defenders to examine the problems faced by Afro-descendants of African descent and to find lasting solutions.
The Decade for People of African Descent, which aims to promote the rights of people of African descent worldwide, has brought into focus the urgent need for the global community to collectively confront historical injustices, dismantle the structures of racism and build societies based on the principles of equality, equity, and social justice.
CARLA NATALIE BARNETT, CARICOM Secretary General
At a time when racial inequalities continue to divide societies, the international conference in Havana represents a hope for a more inclusive and resilient future. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and the Togolese Abroad, Robert Dussey, the central figure at this meeting, in his speech on the occasion, highlighted some of the key points in the fight against racism and the multiple forms of discrimination suffered by African descendants.
Ladies and gentlemen, people have the memory of their past sufferings, without reparation for the historical injustice suffered by Africans, the Afro-descendant peoples, and the fight against racism and racial discrimination will resemble a vain struggle.
ROBERT DUSSEY, Minister of Foreign Affairs – Togo
The Havana conference will focus on : Assessing the progress made during the Decade of Afro-descendants, developing new strategies to reduce racial gaps, particularly through institutional reforms and the promotion of social justice based on education and recognition of the contributions of Afro-descendants.
Education is the key, because from a very early age, when we continue to make some people believe that they are superior, that they come from a superior race, when we continue to make children believe that they are more superior than other children, that one baby is more superior than another, etc., etc., we can never effectively fight racism.
ROBERT DUSSEY, Minister of Foreign Affairs – Togo
Inspired by historical struggles and current efforts, the conference aims to turn promises into concrete action. This is an important opportunity to breathe new life into the ideals of universal equality and justice. The work of this International Conference on the Decade of Afro-descendants will conclude on 13 December 2024.