MEDIA ADVISORY

AU Diaspora African Forum to hold an African Esthetics Exhibition

Addis Ababa, 23 May 2013: As part of the commemoration of the OAU-AU 50th Jubilee Celebration, the African Union Diaspora African Forum (AU DAF) in collaboration with the Rita Marley Foundation will launch an exhibition of African Diaspora collection of Fine Art and photographs Today, 23 May 2013, at the Institute of Ethiopian Studies in Addis Ababa University (AAU).

The opening ceremony will be attended by representatives from the African Union Commission (AUC), Ministers, Government officials, and other invited guest.

The Exhibition is expected to provide a platform to honor several countries and individuals for their remarkable track record of being actively involved in the Pan-African movement.

DAF Head of Mission and Founder, Ambassador Erieka Bennett will present awards to Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania for their willingness to accept and reintegrate members of the African Diaspora into their countries.

Her Excellency, Dr. Bennett, will also present awards to Malawian President Joyce Banda; Nigerian businessman Dr. Bamanga Tukur, and AU Chair, Nkosazana Clarice Dlamini-Zuma, Ambassador Vincent Okobi, Former President of Zambia, Dr. Kenneth Kaunda for their tireless efforts towards the unification of the Africans at home and abroad by providing opportunities for returning Africans.

The exhibition, which will be on display until 31 May 2013, showcases a selection of artifacts and photographs, depicting the history of the Diaspora, from Ghana, Nigeria, Jamaica, United States, and Brazil
Journalists are invited to attend the ceremony at 6:00 pm

Note to the Editors

The (AU) Diaspora African Forum Mission is an African Union endorsed non-governmental organization which was established in 2007. The Mission was born as a result of the recommendations of the African Union ad hoc Ministerial Committee that the AU should “invite and encourage the full participation of African in the Diaspora in the building of the African Union, in its capacity as an important part of the continent.”

The AUDAF Mission is the first diplomatic Diaspora mission established on the continent of Africa. Located in Accra, Ghana at the historical W.E.B. Dubois Center, the mission seeks to create opportunities to bridge communication barriers of Africans throughout the Diaspora and create opportunities to have meaningful and fruitful exchanges amongst the group. For more information on the organization and its activities please visit the website, www.audaf.org.