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Regional Seminar on Africa held in SVG History has recorded Pan-Africanism as arising out of the early literary works of westernized Africans articulating their disgust with the experiences of slavery, colonialism and white supremacy. Today, there are those who share the view that Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa remain somewhat disenfranchised by so-called ‘U.S. Imperialism’, that is said to impose tight control on their economies, governments and societies. However, many social organizations, intellectuals and other influential figures now seem to be merging their ideas with those of the defiant and determined Hugo Chavez – particularly where the socialist leader’s philosophy is perceived as coinciding with those of Pan-African heroes such as Marcus Garvey and Kwame Nkrumah. Saturday 5th, and Sunday 6th December 2009, saw personalities from Barbados, St. Lucia, Suriname, Venezuela and St. Vincent & the Grenadines converging at the Venezuelan Institute for Culture and Cooperation at Murray’s Road, Kingstown, for an extraordinary seminar on Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America. On the agenda were presentations and discussions on: The Crisis of Global Capitalism and Multi-polarity; Unity within the Americas (OECS, ALBA, and UNASUR); The African Union – Realities and Challenges of the XX1 Century; Potentials and Possibilities in the Integration of Africa and South America; and The Role of Social Movements in the Unity of the Peoples of ACAI. The seminar was geared towards leading personalities from the Caribbean and Venezuela, those related to various social movements, scholars, workers, women, youths, farmers and others who were noted to have consistently shared in struggles for the solidarity, sovereignty, independence, and integration of the peoples of the region. Presentations were made by two young representatives of the Venezuelan Ministry of Foreign Affairs – both of whom exhibited extensive knowledge and a deep understanding of the socio-economic realities of Africa and the Caribbean. In his support of the presentations made by the Venezuelan representatives, H.E. Yoel Perez Marcano stressed the need for education as a tool in the construction of a supportive relationship between the three regions in the promotion of peace, sovereignty, democracy, and social welfare. But the highlight of the seminar may have been a lecture on ‘Integration in the Diversity of Latin America and the Caribbean’, presented by Mr. David Commissiong. Taking his audience on a journey through the history of Pan-Africanism, Mr. Commissiong touched on issues ranging from the work of Henry Sylvester Williams, Marcus Garvey and Kwame Nkrumah in The Pan-African Movement, to African identity as a core of psychological and cultural traits. He also took the opportunity to promote the idea of establishing a Pan-African Commonwealth of Nations. The discussions which followed each presentation heard contributions from a core of regional scholars. The final day of the two-day seminar saw the presentation of a draft declaration on the outcome of the event. Local scholar Luke Browne and Lawyer Jomo Thomas were part of the five member drafting committee. The document is expected to be presented to ALBA. Source: The Vincentian Newspaper Published: 12/10/2009
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