On October 18th and 19th, twenty-eight renowned caring and inspirational experts from multi-disciplinary backgrounds met at Georgetown University’s Berkley Center for days of deep sharing, exchange and dialogue around the topic of “Healing the Wounds of Slavery”. The symposium included four observers.
At the Opening Session, Prof Thomas Banchoff, Georgetown’s Vice President for Global Engagement, welcomed the international experts to the Berkley Center where he previously served as the founding director. Prof Banchoff shared Georgetown’s recognition of this important UNESCO initiative, and expressed his good will for the outcome of the Symposium.
The participants and contributors discussed the following questions:
- What are the historical contexts, foundations and underpinnings of the trans-Atlantic slave trade and slavery?
- What lessons can we learn from these and other dehumanizing tragedies in world history?
- What are the latest research findings on the psycho-social consequences of the trans-Atlantic slave trade and slavery?
- How do the different approaches, experiences and processes contribute to the healing the wounds left by such historical traumas?
- What would be the necessary approaches to healing the wounds of transatlantic slave trade and slavery?
- What would be the appropriate strategies to communicate and inform the public for a better understanding of the challenges to the overcoming of these legacies?
- Who are the key stakeholders and partners to associate with the healing
processes and dialogues?
At the concluding session of the Symposium, a number of proposals were made and the group are working to identify strategic steps forward.
Symposium event photography is now available to share, thank you.
