Macro International Pan-African Initiatives
African Century Conference
In 1999, the Commission staged a major international conference, the "African Century Conference", which enabled the Commission to make vital contacts with important black activists from around the world.
Delegates to African Century Symposium and Think Tank Inauguration,
Grand Barbados Beach Resort,Barbados, November 26 - 29, 1999.
U. N. World Conference Against Racism
The Commission played a critical role in Barbados' involvement in the U.N. World Conference Against Racism and helped to conceptualise many of the key resolutions of the World Conference.
African and African Descendants Conference
The Commission assisted the African and African Descendants Non-Governmental Caucus which staged an international Pan-African conference in Barbados in 2002. The conference gave birth to the "Global Afrikan Congress". This new international network will attack many of the serious ills that afflict black people all over the world.
Links with Africa
Relations with Ghana
A team from the Commission visited Ghana in 1999 and agreed in principle with the Government of Ghana on a cooperation programme between Barbados and Ghana and the establishment of a "Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation". The Commission is working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to fully implement this project.
The Commission conceived of the idea of establishing a "Barbados/Ghana Friendship Association" and played the role of a catalyst in its formation.
Pan-African Historical Theatre Festival (PANAFEST)
Since 1999, the Commission has taken teams of Barbadian artists to Ghana to participate in PANAFEST, Ghana's premier Pan-African Arts Festival. Such artists include Winston Farrell, Richard Layne, Shakey Ranks, Michelle Garvey, Ricky Parris, Michael Taitt, Wayne Wells, Charles Odell and Sharon Rock.
Participants in PANAFEST 2003: Wayne Wells, Ricky Parris, Sharon Rock,
Charles Odell and Michael Taitt
Barbados team performing at PANAFEST 2003.
Relations with Nigeria
Meeting between Commission's Board and President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria
Mignon Ford Foundation
The Commission has established a relationship with the Ethiopia-centred "Mignon Ford Foundation" and will be implementing an exchange programme between Barbados and Ethiopia together with a more general Barbados/Africa personnel exchange programme.
Pan-African Humanitarian Work
Pan-African Assistance Fund
The Commission established the Pan-African Assistance Fund and raised funds for humanitarian work in flood-affected Mozambique. The fund's $25,000.00 donation was used to rebuild an orphange.
In 2003, the Commission provided financial assistance to the Barbados chapter of the humanitarian outreach organisation "Uplift International" towards its poverty alleviation programme in Eastern and Southern Africa - Malawi, Uganda, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Local Education Initiatives
Pan-African Studies Course
The Commission stages a twice yearly 15-week Pan-African Studies Course as a joint venture with the U.W.I. School of Continuing Studies.
Graduating Class of 2000
Download the application form for the Pan-African Studies Course.
Primary Schools Quiz
The Commission has established an annual "Black History Month Primary Schools Quiz". Support and funding for this project is provided by the City of Bridgetown Credit Union.
Pan-African Magazine
The Commission produces a magazine known as "Afric Kaleidoscope". Hundreds of copies are distributed to schools and other organisations throughout Barbados.
Video Production
The Commission has produced a video documentary on Bussa, a prototype upon which to base a series of documentaries on all of our national heroes.
Pan-African Lecture Series
The Commission stages an on-going lecture series through which it brings some of the most outstanding international Afro-centric scholars to Barbados to deliver public lectures. Such lecturers have includedDr. Charles Finch, Dr. Molefi Asante, Dr. Asa Hilliard, Dr. Abiyi Ford, Runoko Rashidi and Ashra and Merira Kwesi.
Cuban Scholarship Programme
The Commission provides logistical assistance to the Clement Payne Movement in its administration of the Cuban Scholarship Programme.
Pan-African Business and Trade
Pan-African Business Forum
The Commission collaborated with a number of the leading business persons in Barbados to establish the Pan-African Business Forum, a business grouping dedicated to pursuing trade and business opportunites in Africa and the African Diasopora.
Pan-African Trade Centre
The Commission is currently engaged in establishing a Pan-African Trade Centre as an important component of the structure and work of the Commission. The purpose of the Trade Centre is to assist Barbadian businesses, including hotels to secure new business opportunities within the Pan-African world.
Annual Commemorations
Celebration of Important Anniversaries
The Commission stages annual events to commemorate such important "Black" anniversaries as African Liberation Day, the Anniversary of the Bussa Rebellion, Emancipation Day, Marcus Garvey Day, July 26, Day of Black Civilisation and Kwanzaa.
African-Centred Arts and Culture
The Commission stages such annual events as the African Renaissance Festival of Dance, National Poetry Month, the Pan-African Film Festival and the Emancipation Roots Experience Show.
Institution Building
Richard B. Moore Library
The Commission has been leading an effort to establish a "Richard B. Moore Library" in Barbados. Richard B. Moore, like Schomburg, as one of the most renowned collectors of rare African-centred literature. Moore's 15,000 book collection was brought to Barbados in the late 1960's.
Frank Worrell Museum
The Commission has initiated an effort to refurbish Sir Frank Worrell's residence at Bank Hall, St. Michael and to develop a cricket museum.
Assistance to Pan-African N.G.Os
The Commission provides logistical and financial support to various Pan-African Organisations in Barbados.
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