In an information statement released by the Nevis Historical and Conservation Society (NHCS), Executive Director, Evelyn Henville said her organization is about to launch a project entitled “Educating the Population of St. Kitts and Nevis on Afro-Caribbean Ancestry” next Tuesday (April 07).
Ms. Henville stated that implementation of the programme otherwise dubbed “The UNESCO African Ancestry Project”, is a collaboration with civil society and the Ministry of Education after a request from the National Commission for UNESCO.
She added that over the course of a year, students, educators and the public at large will be exposed via workshops, lectures, social media, field trips and open presentations to a number of topics that will help raise awareness. “This is with a view to improving self-appreciation and cultural awareness among young people and building community harmony through the reintroduction of relevant African culture and history as it pertains to people of the Caribbean,” the release stated.
Topics will include: African Ancestry – Our story did not begin with Slavery; Great Kings and Queens of Africa; The Trans-Atlantic (African) Slave Trade; African Inventors and Inventions; Our Afro-Caribbean Society Today (and Tomorrow); Politics; Adult Suffrage; West Indian Federation; Independence as well as places of memory.
Featured speaker for the launch scheduled for April 7th, Mr. Whitman Browne, is an Educator, Author & Political Analyst from the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis who will speak on the topic “Our African Ancestry before Slavery.”
Secretary General of the National Commission for UNESCO, Mr. Antonio Maynard, said the project has been long in coming and will “heighten the profile of our African Ancestors in a major way, prompting the development of youth awareness of their heritage.”
According to Mr. Maynard the project would reinforce activities which were carried out as part of the UNESCO Slave Route Project which has been ongoing for a number of years.
The African Ancestry Project will be launched at the Nevis Performing Arts Centre with a Gala Event at 6pm.
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