The Government has announced that the 23 August -- UNESCO's
day for the International Remembrance of the Slave Trade and
its Abolition -- will be adopted as the focal date for national
commemorations in the years to come.
A national slavery memorial day was one of the goals of Anti-Slavery
International's Fight for Freedom campaign and we believe the
establishment of such a day will provide an important platform
for building on the awareness that has been raised during 2007.
The Government has said that groups looking to mark the 23
August in the coming years will be able to apply to the Heritage
Lottery Fund for support as well as the Big Lottery Fund and
Arts Council England.
In September 2008, the slave trade will also become a compulsory
element in schools (under Key Stage 3 of the history curriculum)
and pupils will learn about the history and impact of slavery
alongside other important events in the last century, such as
the World Wars and the Holocaust.
Speaking at the Museum in Docklands in December last year,
Communities Minister Parmjit Dhanda reflected on the bicentenary
and noted:
"People across the country have been reminded of the
suffering of millions who were enslaved; celebrated the courage
of those who struggled for emancipation; and recommitted this
country to the struggle against the unacceptable forms of slavery
which sadly still persist.
"This year we have also rightly had an opportunity
to celebrate the enormous contribution Black African and Black
Caribbean communities make in Britain. However, we need to take
targeted action to deal with the legacy of inequality in relation
to education, employment and race still faced by some parts
of those communities."
Its not to late to add your name to Anti-Slavery International's
Fight for Freedom
1807-2007 campaign and help us achieve our remaining goals.
To access Anti-Slavery International free resources on the
Transatlantic Slave Trade go to:
