THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.
On 21 March 2025, Germany will mark the conclusion of the first UN Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024) with a celebratory closing event at the GLS Campus Berlin.
The event, themed “People of African descent: recognition, justice and development,” will bring together civil society organizations, government representatives and members of the African, Afro-diasporic and Black communities to reflect on the achievements and challenges of the past decade and to chart a path forward for the newly proclaimed Second International Decade for People of African Descent (2025-2034).
The UN Decade, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2013, aimed to address the systemic racism, discrimination and marginalization faced by people of African descent worldwide.
In Germany, the Federal Government established an advisory board in February 2022 to coordinate the implementation of the Decade’s objectives. The body included representatives from various federal ministries, Black civil society organizations such as Each One Teach One (EOTO e.V.) and the Initiative of Black People in Germany (ISD), and academic experts.
The board’s work focused on promoting recognition, justice and development for Black, African and Afro-diasporic communities in Germany, addressing issues such as racial profiling, unequal access to education and employment, and the lack of representation in public life.
The closing event will feature a morning session with a keynote address, greetings from government officials and a presentation of the advisory board’s final report. The afternoon will be dedicated to a community event, providing space for networking, empowerment and dialogue among African, Afro-diasporic and Black communities. Attendees will also have the opportunity to engage with representatives from civil society organizations and government agencies.
The closing event in Berlin not only commemorates the efforts and achievements of the past decade but also serves as a catalyst for ongoing initiatives. It provides an opportunity for stakeholders to reflect on progress made, identify challenges that persist, and strategize for the future under the newly proclaimed Second International Decade.
The closing event comes just months after the United Nations proclaimed the Second International Decade for People of African Descent (2025-2034). The new Decade, declared on 17 December, builds on the foundation laid by its predecessor, with a renewed focus on achieving full equality and inclusion for people of African descent, addressing the legacies of enslavement and colonialism and delivering reparatory justice.
For the African, Afro-diasporic, and Black communities in Germany, this event is a moment to celebrate resilience, foster unity and strengthen networks that will continue to advocate for equality and justice in the years to come.
Sola Jolaoso
Editor’s Note: Registration for attendance of the closing event on 21 March has closed
