The International Decade for People of African Descent (IDPAD) is set to hold an international roundtable dialogue in The Hague on May 24, 2024. Organized by Roots Synergy in collaboration with other global agencies, the programme is tagged “African Liberation Day” and the dialogue will centre on Second International UN Decade for People of African Descent 2025-2034.

Aimed at making a significant difference in the lives of African people, the United Nations General Assembly declared 2011 as the International Year for People of African Descent. The United Nations formally launched the International Decade for People of African Descent on January 1, 2015 – with the objective to eliminate racism and deepen respect for the culture and heritage of Africans around the world.

The first international roundtable conference held on December 23, 2013, with the theme People of African Descent: Recognition, Justice, and Development.

This second international dialogue is earmarked to focus on evaluation of the implementation of the current international UN Decade on People of African Descent 2015-2024; expectations regarding the second decade 2025-2034; and agreement on a joint position paper.

Key participants to engage in The Hague dialogue are Dr. Barbara Reynolds, chair of the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent; Dr. Michael McEachrane, member and rapporteur of the UN Permanent Forum on People of African Descent; Dr. Doudou Diene, former UN special rapporteur on all forms of racism; Mactar Ndoye, UN-OHCHR, anti-racial discrimination section and lead of IDPOAD Cluster; and Dr. Barryl A. Biekman, co-facilitator Forum IDPAD.

Roots Synergy is organizing African Liberation Day in partnership with the Coordination and Monitoring Working Group for the Implementation of the DDPA; International UN Decade for People of African Descent: National Platform Dutch Slavery Past (LPS); Pan Africa Forum People of African Descent Netherlands; and Europe Pan African Forum People of African Descent.

Intending participants are required to register online.