Celebrating African and Afrodescendant Culture in Canada
Celebrating African and Afrodescendant Culture in Canada
Celebrating African and Afrodescendant Culture in Canada
Established by UNESCO and held every year on 24 January, the World Day for African and Afrodescendant Culture aims to celebrate the many vibrant cultures of the African continent and African Diasporas around the world, and promotes them as an effective lever for sustainable development, dialogue and peace. As a rich source of the world’s shared heritage, promoting African and Afrodescendant culture is crucial for the development of the continent, and for humanity as a whole. The Government of Canada would officially recognize the World Day for African and Afrodescendant Culture as well as the International Decade for People of African Descent. The Decade was proclaimed in 2014 by the United Nations General Assembly. It provides a framework for state and non-state actors to join people of African descent and take measures towards the objectives of the International Decade, including promoting respect, protection of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of people of African descent, and encouraging a greater knowledge of and respect for the diverse heritage, culture, and contributions of these communities to society around the world. The Avantage Ontario Consortium stands in solidarity with these organizations to highlight exceptional contributions of Africans or people of African descent across Ontario and beyond. We are particularly proud of our growing presence on the African continent and the increasing interest of students from Francophone African countries for educational opportunities in Ontario.