In line with UNESCO’s belief in and sponsorship of intellectual exchange and dialogue among cultures as the best prospects for peace, the 1st Global Conference of Black Nationalities is a clarion call for global peace and international understanding of the Black Race, through Culture and Heritage. Therefore, the conference was an invitation  to the participants -  black intelligentsia, non-black academics, as well as, the global vanguard of culture to “Come BACK HOME” to re-examine the PAST, evaluate the PRESENT and strategically look into the FUTURE of a RICH HERITAGE - the Black Heritage. As a result, participants were exposed to and will had an equally fulfilling opportunity of knowing more about the black race while appreciating cultural differences among the various peoples of the world with a view to promoting global understanding.

The Conference of Black Nationalities was held a time that Africa, African descendants, black people from across the globe were being encouraged to achieve more and to take a grasp of their fate and future. The 1st Global Conference of Black Nationalities took a cultural and mutual understanding perspective to help accomplish its major objective through inter-cultural and religious dialogues. The Conference reinforced UNESCO’s role and efforts to promote and encourage reciprocal knowledge of culture, ethnicity, language and religion as a means for sustainable development and the proffering of plausible solutions.

MODALITIES:  The 1st Global Conference of Black Nationalities took a critical look at the positive potentials of open discussions to understand the culture and heritage of Africa as a means to understanding and embracing the Black Race. It is aimed at promoting a dialogue on the African Diaspora: Identification and Mobilization towards a common agenda of elevating the Black Race and Africa. By so doing, it will serve as a major contribution to UNESCO’s events and programmes for 2010 and beyond, as they impact the Black Race/Africa, particularly:

• The celebration of the United Nations International Year for Rapprochement of Cultures - 2010, the objectives of which are similar to those of the Conference.
• UNESCO’s International Day for the Abolition of Slavery. By starting the Conference on August 23rd, 2010 with its attendant opening ceremonies/speeches, the conference contributed to the objectives of the annual international day fixed for August 23rd.
• It enlightened the world about the Osun-Osogbo Festival – a UNESCO classified World Heritage site - and its cultural ceremonies as a tourist attraction. Participants at the conference had a first hand experience as they  participated in the year 2010 edition of the festival

AREAS OF DISCUSSIONS:

• Governance and Leadership.
• The Leadership Role of Black Women in the society
• Tourism Development: Cultural Tourism and Ecological Tourism.
• Slavery: History, Challenges, Opportunities and the Future.
• The history and impact and influence of Black Culture in modern societies
• The African Diaspora: Identification and Mobilization towards a common agenda.
• Sustainable Development

OTHER KEY EVENTS INCLUDED: