People of African Descent - August 2013
The 13th edition of Training Workshop for Leaders
of African Descent in the Americas wraps up
The I Training Course for Leaders of African
Descent from Brazil's Northeast Region, State of
Bahía, was held from July 29-31. The event was
organized by the Institute of Social Action and
Helping Hand Citizenship, with technical support
from the OAS Department of International Law, as
well as support from the Justice, Citizenship, and
Human Rights Secretariat of the State of Bahia, the
Bahia State Secretariat for the Promotion of Racial
Equality, the Salvador Municipal Secretariat for
Reparations and Baobá Fund for Racial Equity.
The inauguration was attended by Mr. Ademir Santos,
President of the Institute of Social Action and
Helping Hand Citizenship; Dr. Dante Negro, Director
of the OAS Department of International Law; Dr.
Almiro Sena, Justice, Citizenship and Human Rights
Secretary for the State of Bahia; Dr. Elias Sampaio,
Secretary for the Promotion Racial Equality, State
of Bahia; Prof. Ivete Sacramento, Municipal
Secretary for Reparations, Salvador; and Prof. Vilma
Reis, Vice Chairwoman of the Council for the
Development of the Black Community in the State of
Bahia.
It drew participation from some 50 leaders and
observers from the State of Bahia, Brazil, as well
as from other Brazilian cities. The aim of the
workshop was to provide leaders of African descent
with the tools needed to access the inter-American
system and to increase their participation and
influence in its policy-making bodies, especially in
areas of interest to them.
The event was held as part of the "Project for the
Training of Leaders of African Descent in the
Americas," executed by the Department of
International Law. The workshop was first held in
Panama City, Panama, in March 2012, to train leaders
who could in turn "replicate" the workshop and train
other leaders.
The event held in Salvador da Bahia, the city with
the largest population of people of African descent
in the Americas, was the thirteenth edition held as
part of the project executed by the Department of
International Law. Other editions are expected to be
held in the future, to bring more of the region's
leaders of African descent together. Previous
editions of the workshop were held in Colombia,
Nicaragua, Honduras, Ecuador, and Brazil.
The Department of International Law has been working
on the issue of people of African descent since
2008, organizing a range of activities to raise the
visibility of persons of African descent within the
inter-American system and for them to participate
more effectively in its activities.
At its last regular session, the General Assembly
adopted resolution AG/RES. 2784 (XLIII-O/13),
“Recognition and Promotion of the Rights of People
of African Descent in the Americas,” which, among
other provisions, reaffirms the importance of full
and free participation on an equal footing for
people of African descent in all spheres of
political, economic, social, and cultural life in
the countries of the Americas.
To view the Course program, click here »
To view the photos of the Course, click here »
For further information on people of African
descent, visit our Website » |
