Activists are gathering for the Dekoloniale Berlin Conference 2024 to mark the 140th anniversary of the Berlin Africa Conference. This event will focus on reparations and addressing colonial injustices with key figures contributing insights on the long-lasting impacts of colonialism. Workshops will facilitate discussions on justice and shared struggles faced by various communities.
In a vibrant call to action, activists from civil society, academia, and the arts have convened in Berlin for the Dekoloniale Berlin Conference 2024, honoring 140 years since the significant 1884/5 Berlin Africa Conference. Running from November 14-16, this gathering seeks to unite voices impacted by European colonialism, reflecting on how the past shapes the present. Key organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch will lead a workshop for activists to discuss reparations and share their struggles. Renowned figures such as Farida Nabourema, Gary Younge, Kiluanji Kia Henda, and Alice Nkom will lend their insights on the profound effects of colonialism and the pressing need for reparative justice. Rym Khadhraoui from Amnesty International emphasized, “The historic injustices of colonialism, enslavement, the slave trade and their ongoing legacies remain largely unaccounted by European states.” The workshop will allow communities to explore successful reparative efforts, including ongoing negotiations surrounding colonial legacies in Namibia, Belgium, France, and the UK. Notably, while the media is excluded from this invaluable discourse, spokespersons for key organizations will be available for interviews. This conference not only remembers the past but energizes collective action towards achieving justice and reparations in a racially divided world.
The 1884/5 Berlin Africa Conference marked a pivotal moment in history, where European powers met to divide Africa amongst themselves without any African representation. This meeting formalized colonial rule and set the stage for profound exploitation, contributing to enduring socio-political issues across the continent. Dekoloniale Berlin serves as a contemporary initiative aimed at critically examining and addressing the repercussions of this colonial legacy, which continues to impact global relations today.
The Dekoloniale Berlin Conference 2024 is more than just a commemoration; it is a rallying point for voices long overshadowed by the consequences of colonialism. As activists from diverse backgrounds gather to reflect on the past and strategize for reparative justice, their collective actions promise to challenge the power structures that persist. In confronting the legacy of colonialism, they illuminate paths toward accountability, resurgence, and healing in a world still marked by disparities.
Original Source: www.amnesty.org
