This theme is not merely symbolic-it is a powerful call to confront the enduring legacies of colonialism, slavery, and the trans-Atlantic slave trade. It urges us to restore dignity, heal historical trauma, and reclaim what was unjustly taken.
As the African Union Development Agency, we are not only echoing the African Union's clarion call for justice and reparations-we are actively working to make it a reality. Together with our partners, we are taking bold steps to restore dignity, reclaim Africa's heritage, and build systems that reflect the true value and potential of African people and their descendants.
At the heart of this reparatory justice agenda lies the African Art and Artefacts Return Index A3RI, a transformative initiative spearheaded by African Union Development Agency AUDA-NEPAD in collaboration with UNESCO and the University of Pretoria.