United Nations Association of Australia

Informing, inspiring and engaging Australian's regarding the work, goals and values of the United Nations

Menu
  • Our Work
    • International Program
    • National Programs
      • Sustainable Development Goals Program
      • Human Rights Program
      • Climate Change Program
      • Global movement of people
      • Pacific Program
      • Peace Program
        • UNAA Peace Program website
        • Close
      • Australian Peacekeeping Memorial Project
      • Close
    • Local Programs
      • Division Programs
      • Young Professional Programs
      • Close
    • Critical Issues
    • Close
  • Teams
    • UNAA Divisions
      • Victoria Division
      • South Australia Division
      • New South Wales Division
        • NSW President’s Welcome
        • NSW Executive Committee
        • NSW Life Members
        • NSW Events
        • NSW Annual Reports
        • NSW Newsletter
        • NSW Membership
        • NSW Get Involved
        • NSW Lifeworks Awards
        • NSW Photo Gallery
        • NSW Media
        • NSW Sponsors
        • NSW Contact Us
        • Close
      • Queensland Division
        • QLD President’s Welcome
        • QLD Executive Committee
        • QLD Newsletter
        • QLD Events
        • QLD Join Us
          • QLD Membership
          • QLD Donations
          • QLD Volunteering
          • QLD Bequests
          • Close
        • QLD Community Awards
        • QLD Annual Reports
        • QLD Links
        • QLD Partners
        • Close
      • Australian Capital Territory Division
        • ACT President’s Welcome
        • ACT Events
        • ACT Membership
        • ACT Executive Committee
        • ACT Annual Reports
        • Close
      • Tasmania Division
        • TAS President’s Welcome
        • TAS Executive Committee
        • TAS Membership
        • Close
      • Northern Territory Division
        • NT President’s Welcome
        • NT Executive Committee
        • NT Annual Reports
        • NT Membership
        • Close
      • Western Australia Division
        • WA Contact Us
        • WA President’s Welcome
        • WA Membership
        • WA Newsletter
        • WA Programs for Schools
        • WA Committees
        • WA Resources
        • WA Yolande Frank Award Winners
        • WA Vacant Voluntary Positions
        • Close
      • Close
    • UNAA Young Professionals Network
      • UNAA QLD Young Professionals
      • UNAA ACT Young Professionals
      • UNAA WA Young Professionals
      • UNAA NSW Young Professionals
      • UNAA TAS Young Professionals
        • UNYP TAS Committee
        • Close
      • Close
    • UN Youth Australia
      • UN Youth Website
      • Close
    • Academic Network
    • UN Parliamentary Group
    • Close
  • Upcoming Events
  • About Us
    • About the UNAA
    • Our People
    • Our Patrons
    • WFUNA
    • Contact Us
    • Close
  • Get Involved
    • Donate
    • Membership
    • Volunteer
    • Intern
    • Awards Programs
    • Young Professionals Partnership Proposal
    • Sponsorship
    • Shop
    • Close
  • News
    • Media and Press Releases
    • Latest UNity News
    • Close
  • Learn
    • Factsheets
    • Useful Links
    • About the UN
      • Short history of the UN
      • UN: Working Around the World
      • UN Observance Days
      • UN International Observance Years
      • Close
    • Photo Gallery
    • Australia and the UN
      • Australia’s role in the UN
      • Australia and UN Security Council
      • The UN in Australia
      • Close
    • Working with the UN
    • UNAA Podcasts
    • UNAA Videos
    • School Teaching Resources
    • UNAA Submissions and Reports
    • Close
  • Donate
Home / News / Remembering Slavery brings light to modern challenges

March 31, 2016

Remembering Slavery brings light to modern challenges

Atlantic Slave trade memorial
Atlantic Slave trade memorial

Following the United Nations International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery, officials gathered to commemorate the survivors of this global horror and to recognise the modern forms that slavery has taken through human trafficking, forced labour and prostitution and child labour.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon recognised the contribution to society that was brought about by the history of slavery. “The dynamic culture and traditions of Africa continue to enrich life in the countries that were once involved in the transatlantic slave trade,” he said, “It is imperative that we work together for equal opportunity, justice and sustainable development for people of African descent.”

The theme of 2016 has been cited as: ‘Remember Slavery: Celebrating the Heritage and Culture of the African Diaspora and its Roots’. The special memorial now enjoys its second year in the plaza at the United Nations Headquarters. Known as the Ark of Return, it is a permanent fixture acknowledging the transatlantic slave trade and all of the tragedy that followed for the people of Africa. Unveiled in 2015, The Ark of Return was designed by the winner of an international competition held in 2013. The American architect Rodney Leon is of Haitian descent and says he constructed the memorial to honour the 15 million people who had suffered the transatlantic slave trade.

Inspired by maps of the triangular routes the slave ships would take, it also resembles the castle on Gorée Island in Senegal where slaves were imprisoned before they made their final journey through the ‘door of no return’. The vessel symbolises the tragic ocean journey that occurred for 15 million souls over 400 years and the statue was constructed as a positive response.

The recurring message at the General Assembly commemoration day was the need to overcome present-day racism and recognise that modern slavery still exists in the form of human trafficking and forced labour. While slavery is considered to be a Crime Against Humanity and punishable under International Law, it is unfortunately still overlooked and largely underreported.

The United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), through its Project to Fight Human Trafficking in Africa, has been working with governments of Western and Southern African states to develop effective policy in tackling this ongoing problem. The United Nations specialised organisation, International Labour Organisation (ILO) runs a campaign known as 50forFreedom. This campaign is a petition for 50 States to ratify the 2014 Protocol on Forced Labour, which would bring the treaty into force, thus taking a prominent step toward ending modern day slavery.

While a day of commemoration reminds the world of the tragedy of historical slavery, it also provides an important opportunity to recognise the modern manifestation of this ancient crime and to work toward abolishing it permanently.

Filed Under: News

Sign up for our Newsletter

Latest Tweets

UN STUDY TOURS - NEY YORK & GENEVA The @UNAA_National & @unaavic is pleased to announce small group study tours to… https://t.co/juE2goVkvi
6 hours ago

Today we celebrate World Day of #SocialJustice 🥳 Reaffirming that full employment and decent work results in univer… https://t.co/oclw1nCzLh
6 hours ago

yesterday

Want to build connections and find out what its like to work for the United Nations? Register now for… https://t.co/W2jSrEw5g5
yesterday

© 2019 United Nations Association of Australia

Suite 206, Griffin Centre, 20 Genge Street
Canberra City, ACT 2601 Australia
Contact Us · admin@unaa.org.au · ABN 47 836 436 168

Privacy Policy

Designed by Atlassian · Hosted by verv creations