Africando 2007 Hemispheric Summit on African Cultures and Development

Africando 2007 Hemispheric Summit on African Cultures and Development

The Foundation for Democracy in Africa

President – Mr. Fred Oladeinde

Dr. Mahtar M’Bow, Director General of the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

Even as you discuss African Cultures I wish to commend you for the work you have already done, and continue to do, as a registered NGO with the U.N. Economic and Social Council, in lending assistance in the areas of economic growth, health, capacity building, HIV/AIDS, Information Communication technology, Competitiveness, and the empowerment of women and youth across the African continent.

As you would know, Dr. M’Bow, Jamaica has long had a deep and abiding interest in Africa – both her society and her progress:

1. As demonstrated in our former foreign minister Ambassador Dudley Thompson’s legal defense of Jomo Kenyatta during the Mau Mau trials
2. As demonstrated in Jamaica’s call before the United Nations, as the first nation to do so – by the way, for sanctions against the then Apartheid regime of South Africa
3. And, famously, in our musical icon, Bob Marley’s call in song for the liberation of Zimbabwe

On this note, we are, of course, very concerned about the current realities which in countries as varied as Zimbabwe, Sudan and Congo. One can only imagine the agony the Honourable Bob Marley would be expressing lyrically, were he still among us.

Thankfully, this evening, we can count, among the concerned, committed and dedicated in our midst the members and supporters of the Foundation for Democracy in Africa, the esteemed Dr. Mahtar M’Bow and, in fact, all of you here participant in Africando 2007.

I would be remiss were I not to take a moment to thank Dr. M’Bow, not only for his presence, but as well, for his gift to us in the form of his notable progeny, Babacar M’Bow. Babacar , certainly, has promoted African collaboration and cooperation across the continent and its Diaspora, has encouraged Senegalese entrepreneurship and partnership within the United States and, more significantly for the Afro-Caribbean Diaspora, has worked assiduously to improve synergies among African, African-American and Afro-Caribbean elements of our broad and brawny Diaspora. His contribution is invaluable. So thank you Babacar and thank YOU, Dr. M’Bow. Thank you, all, for allowing me the opportunity to express my gratitude in this manner. GOD BLESS.