PRIME Minister Samuel Hinds last week represented Guyana at the First Global African Diaspora Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, at a forum to review the work  and outcomes of the Diaspora conference in Jamaica in 2005, meetings of the Diaspora in Senegal in 2004, and Brazil in 2006. Addressing the Summit on behalf of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Prime Minister noted that, “For the first time in our history, the leaders and representatives of African, Latin American and Caribbean nations and the African Diaspora will gather to recognise and celebrate the diverse and rich threads of the African Diaspora that are continuously woven into a single tapestry that is Africa.”
He added that African culture, resources, history and aspirations have constituted a wellspring of inspiration for people around the world.
PM Hinds conveyed the affinity and solidarity of the governments and peoples of the African Diaspora in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) with the governments and peoples of South Africa, and the African continent.
He pointed out the significance of the Summit’s theme, ‘Towards the Realization of a United Integrated Africa and its Diaspora’, on Africa Day, “a day which marks the annual commemoration of the 1963 founding of the Organisation of African Unity, and its successor, the African Union.
“ It is therefore fitting that we pay tribute to the African Union for its visionary role in bringing together the continent of Africa, to collectively address Africa’s challenges – in particular those which threaten peace and security, and the socio-economic advancement and environmental preservation of the nation-states of Africa,” he stated.
The Prime Minister said that the high level of participation at the Summit underpins the commitment of African leaders to collectively ensure that the continent of Africa can fulfill its potential towards sustained economic and social development, and the attainment of a satisfactory standard of living for its peoples.
“This decisive step towards realising this dream is embodied in the ideals of the African Union Diaspora Initiative;  an initiative dating back to 2003, when a proposal was made for the AU Constitutive Act to be amended, to formally integrate the Diaspora into the policy framework of the Union of the “Sixth Region” of the AU.
“ Today, a number of Africans in the Diaspora are recognized as wielders of economic, political and cultural power, and have a key role to play in the further advancement of this great continent.”
Africans at home on the continent and around the world, have over generations prevailed against all challenges, including war, famine, slavery, racism, apartheid, poverty and armed conflicts.
PM Hinds observed that while many of the challenges have yet to be satisfactorily resolved, “It is the spirit of solidarity that has ensured our survival to date.”
Pointing out to the gathering that while tribute was paid to Marcus Garvey, the late Guyanese Dr. Walter Rodney produced seminal works, ‘How Europe Underdeveloped Africa’ and the ‘History of the Upper Guinea Coast’, which, “have contributed to a greater understanding of our beloved motherland;  supported also by the private sector and civil society of the global African Family;  imbued with resilience, endurance, creativity and grace that characterise our people, and fortified by the networks that have been stepping stones to our individual successes in the continent  and in the Diaspora, we meet to forge a common way forward.”
Hinds urged participants not to see the Summit as just a ceremonial event, but as a grounded gathering to define a practical, progressive, action-oriented and results-driven framework for mobilising the human and financial capital of Africa, and the African Diaspora.
“ To this end, this gathering will consider concrete proposals for political, economic, and social cooperation, leveraging the capacities of our governments, intellectuals, private sector and civil society, to promote trade and investment, science and technology, travel and tourism, communication and transportation, education and training, health and culture,” he added.
Hinds reiterated CARICOM’s consideration of the Summit’s objectives, and its continued support for Africa in all its aspirations.
While participating countries are expected to adopt the Summit’s Draft Programme of Action and Implementation Strategy, PM Hinds expressed confidence that the Summit would realise its expectations, “and maintain the momentum of the leaders and peoples of the African continent, the African Union and the African Diaspora, towards the emergence of a stronger Africa in the twenty-first century.
This embodies the vision for an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa and its Diaspora – driven by its own citizens, and representing a dynamic force for good in the global arena.”