International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition intends to remind people of the tragedy of the transatlantic slave trade. It gives people a chance to think about the historic causes and the consequences of slave trade. This year the day has special meaning as 2011 is the International Year for People of African Descent.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) reminds the international community abut the importance of commemorating this day. The day also pays tribute to those who worked hard to abolish slave trade and slavery throughout the world. This commitment and the actions used to fight against the system of slavery had an impact on the human rights movement.
International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition was first celebrated in a number of countries, in particular in Haiti (August 23, 1998) and Goree in Senegal (August 23, 1999).
Education for Justice Resources:
- Unit: Slavery
- Film Discussion Guide: 12 Years a Slave
- Film Discussion Guide: 13th
- Film Discussion Guide: Belle
United Nations Resources:
- UNESCO Homepage for the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade
- Permanent Memorial in Honour of the Victims of Slavery
- UNESCO’s Slave Route Project
