The "Commission for Pan-African Affairs", has been mandated by the Government of Barbados to address and rectify that deficiency in Barbadian institutions and national life which is manifested in the relative dearth of relationships, exchanges and interactions with the nations, population groups and institutions of the continent of Africa and the world-wide African Diaspora.
In pursuing such an agenda, the Commission will also be assisting in developing the Africa derived segment of the Barbadian cultural landscape.
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Monday, July 26, 2004 - Day of National Significance |
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Crop Over Folk Concert |
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| Venue | National Heroes Square |
| Coordinator: | National Cultural Foundation |
Wednesday, July 28, 2004 |
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Emancipation Lecture |
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Venue |
Frank Collymore Hall |
Time |
7:30 p.m. |
Topic: |
"Emancipation and Pan-Africanism from 1834 to 2004: The Caribbean Contribution" |
| Lecturer |
Dr. Tony Martin, Professor and Chairman of Black Studies at the Wellesley College, Massachusetts, U.S.A. Dr. Martin is a world renowned authority on both Pan-Africanism and the Marcus Garvey Movement, and is the author of several classic Black history books, including "The Pan-African Connection" and "Race First: The Struggles of Marcus Garvey and the U.N.I.A. Special artistic performance by the KIFOKO Maroon Performing Group of Suriname |
Admission : |
Free |
Sunday, August 1, 2004 - Emancipation Day | |
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Emancipation March | |
Theme: |
The theme of this year's Emancipation March and Rally is "Celebrating Black Entrepreneurship in the March Towards Full Emancipation". |
| Time: | 6:00 a.m. All marchers are requested to bring flowers with them for laying at the feet of the Bussa statue. |
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Marchers will congregate from 5:00 a.m. at the following four points. A musical band will accompany each group of marchers and two outstanding black business stalwarts will lead each group to the Bussa statue as follows:
All Barbadians are encouraged to participate in this year's Emancipation March. A special invitation is being extended to Barbadian business houses and their members of staff, and to groups of young people, organised in summer camps, schools church and sports groups. |
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Emancipation Rally | |
| The rally will consist of short solidarity messages by representatives of the Government, Barbadian civil rights activists and Black business pioneers. Guest speaker will be Dr. Tony Martin. There will also be musical and other artistic performances by Gabby, T.C., Israel Lovell Drummers, Lil Rick, the KIFOKO Maroon Performing Group of Suriname, Ricky Parris and Robert "Grassroots" Hinkson. The rally will conclude with the performing of a "libation" in honour of our ancestors and the laying of flowers at the feet of the Bussa statue. |
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Tuesday, August 3, 2004 | |
Emancipation Roots Experience Show | |
Venue: |
Frank Collymore Hall |
Time: |
7:00 p.m. |
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The Emancipation Roots Experience Show is an African-centred event that seeks to reach our young people and to encourage them to develop a healthy respect for themselves and their African heritage. This year's show will honour Dr. Allyson Leacock as "mother of the show" and the Hon. Trevor Prescod as "father of the show". |
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Saturday, August 21, 2004 | |
Marcus Garvey Day Rally | |
Venue: |
Combermere School Hall |
Time: |
5:30 p.m. |
Further details to be posted |
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Monday, August 23, 2004 | |
Commemoration of the Abolition of the Slave Trade | |
Further details to be posted |
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MESSAGE BY THE RT. HON. OWEN S. ARTHUR, ON THE OCCASION OF THE 4TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE COMMISSION FOR PAN-AFRICAN AFFAIRS
Four years ago, at the inception of this Commission for Pan-African Affairs, I uttered the prediction that the twenty first century might well come to be known as the African century.
Today, despite the formidable challenges that still confront Africans and African descendants across the globe, there are grounds for cautious optimism that Africa and her peoples will indeed leave a dominant and indelible impression on the annals of this century.
Even in the midst of the turmoil that continues to beset certain regions of the Mother Continent, events such as the historic formation of the African Union and the emergence of the New Partnership for Africa's Development sustain our hopes of an African resurgence.
Here at home the record of the Pan-African Commission - which, given our turbulent history, has inevitably been overshadowed from time to time by controversy - is a proud indication that the Government and people of Barbados have an unswerving commitment to fostering political, economic and cultural links with Africa and her Diaspora.
Furthermore, this represents the most convincing proof that our multiracial society has attained the quality of maturity and cohesion that can accommodate African as well as other racial and ethnic legacies within a new global architecture of cultures which our Caribbean crucible is probably most qualified to bequeath to the world community.
I wish therefore on this occasion of its Fourth Anniversary to offer my congratulations to the Board and Staff of the Commission. May their work further enrich our awareness as a people and carry us along the broad causeway of national pride and industry.
Owen S. Arthur
Prime Minister
MESSAGE BY DIRECTOR, MR. DAVID COMISSIONG ON THE OCCASION OF THE FOURTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE COMMISSION FOR PAN-AFRICAN AFFAIRS
After four years of existence and accomplishment, the Barbados Government's Commission for Pan-African Affairs has attained a status of institutional permanence as an integral part of the structure of government and society in Barbados.
Both the Commission and the philosophy of "Pan-Africanism" have sunk deeply into the consciousness of the Barbadian people over the past four years. Indeed, one would be hard pressed to find a single adult Barbadian who is unaware of the Commission for Pan-African Affairs, or who does not possess an opinion on such topics as reparations, repatriation, racism and Pan-Africanism itself.
This is testimony to the tremendous work of the Commission over the past four years, and its undoubted impact on our society.
The Commission has also made a name for Barbados in the international arena. The very existence of a government agency devoted to the noble cause of "Pan-Africanism", has elicited a response of enthusiasm, hopefulness and respect from governments, institutions, activists and ordinary citizens, all over the "Pan-African" world.
Barbados has undeniably shed the backward, colonialist image of "Little England", and is ably asserting itself as a mature, culturally aware, independent nation.
Over the past four years the Commission has laboured tirelessly to conceptualise, develop and implement a comprehensive programme comprising macro international Pan-African initiatives, linkages with the African continent, Pan-African business and trade, Pan-African humanitarian work, education initiatives, annual commemorations of Pan-African anniversaries and arts and culture projects.
As a result, the fundamentals of the Commission's pioneering programme have been worked out and settled. The stage is set! And the Commission now looks forward to working collaboratively with all who are genuinely concerned about the welfare of the global African family.
David Comissiong
Director
© 2004 Commission For Pan-African Affairs. All Rights Reserved