African Union Joins UNESCO for Diaspora and Global Africa Launch

UNESCO recently presented new volumes of the General History of Africa Encyclopedia at its headquarters in Paris. The event, held on October 17, 2025, highlighted the importance of preserving and disseminating Africa’s intellectual and cultural heritage.

African Union Support for the Initiative

Ambassador Amr Aljowaily, Director of the Directorate for Citizens’ Organizations and African Diaspora at the African Union Commission, expressed appreciation for the initiative. He emphasized its alignment with the African Union’s focus on engaging with the African diaspora and correcting historical distortions. The initiative supports the African Union’s commitment to reclaiming Africa’s narrative and presenting the richness and diversity of African civilizations globally. Aljowaily noted that the African Union’s Agenda 2063 envisions an Africa defined by a strong cultural identity, shared heritage, and values, complemented by the Continental Education Strategy for Africa.

Reparations and Heritage

Aljowaily further explained that the effort to shape the African narrative aligns with the African Union’s 2025 theme of “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations.” He highlighted the importance of the publication of the new volumes, “African Diaspora” and “Global Africa Today,” in contributing to discussions surrounding reparations.

Educational Impact and Accessibility

UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education Stefania Giannini underscored the role of the encyclopedia in making education accessible and addressing contemporary challenges. She stated that understanding the past and appreciating identities are crucial for shaping a more peaceful and sustainable future, particularly for young people. The encyclopedia provides practical guidance for integrating African history and its diaspora into learning environments, and a pedagogical guide for teachers is forthcoming. Giannini emphasized that education involves reshaping mindsets and fostering dialogue.

Reconstructing African History

Lydia Britto, UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Humanities and Social Sciences, explained that the General History of Africa project was launched in 1964 to reconstruct African history, removing distortions caused by the transatlantic slave trade and colonialism. UNESCO officials emphasized the project’s commitment to epistemic justice and educational transformation, confronting stereotypes and decolonizing historical narratives. The resources integrate history as both a science and a lived experience, advocating for contextualized and locally oriented education that appreciates African languages and integrates local knowledge.

The Role of CELHTO

Ambassador Aljowaily also highlighted the role of the African Union Centre for Linguistic and Historical Studies through Oral Heritage (CELHTO) in Niamey. CELHTO has been involved in the General History of Africa project through collecting oral heritage, translating volumes into African languages, and collaborating with UNESCO and scholarly networks. CELHTO works to rebuild Africa’s historical memory and awareness, fostering historical awareness, cultural pride, and a shared vision for Africa’s future through partnerships with universities and research institutions.