UNESCO Pushes for Deeper Academic Focus on Slavery Studies

UNESCO has called for the establishment of university chairs to study the history of enslavement and the transatlantic slave trade. These chairs will involve institutions and researchers from Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean, aiming to deepen global understanding of one of the worst crimes in human history.

With increasing global attention on slavery, universities are invited to submit applications by 30 April 2025 for this initiative under the UNESCO Chairs Programme and UNITWIN, UNESCO's university networking scheme.

Between 1501 and 1867, nearly 13 million African people were forcibly taken across the Atlantic Ocean, separated from their homes, families, and cultures, according to the Equal Justice Initiative.

What is a UNESCO Chair?

A UNESCO chair is a group of scholars led by a higher education institution that partners with UNESCO to promote knowledge in specific fields. Currently, there are about 1,000 UNESCO chairs globally, working on a variety of research and training initiatives.

Professor Kwadwo Appiagyei-Atua from the University of Ghana praised the project but noted its lack of focus on reparations and reparatory justice. He emphasized that addressing the historical injustices of slavery should go beyond research.

Establishing an Alliance of Scholars

The proposed university chairs will encourage research and dialogue to address the impacts of slavery, including racism, inequality, and discrimination, especially against people of African descent. These chairs will also examine gender issues, historical archives, and the economic and social effects of slavery on Africa and its diaspora.

The initiative will link with UNESCO's Routes of Enslaved Peoples programme, which has worked for 30 years to promote understanding of slavery and its legacy.

Global Significance of the Initiative

Arshin Adib-Moghaddam, a professor at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London, called the alliance a vital step in recognizing slavery as one of history's greatest crimes. He highlighted the need for global collaboration to resist oppression and misinformation.

“This alliance will foster solidarity among scholars and marginalized groups worldwide,” Adib-Moghaddam said.

Regional Focus and Recommendations

Dr Jelmer Vos from the University of Glasgow emphasized the importance of supporting African, Caribbean, and Latin American universities in their efforts to study slavery. He suggested creating digital archives and networks for African researchers to access historical resources.

Professor Gregory O’Malley from the University of California, Santa Cruz, advocated for a global consortium to study slavery, including regions beyond the Atlantic, such as the Indian Ocean slave trade.

Broader Collaboration

Existing initiatives like the Universities Studying Slavery (USS) network focus on institutions with direct historical links to slavery. However, the UNESCO project aims for broader research, covering global aspects of the slave trade.

Efforts to determine the number of planned chairs were unsuccessful, as UNESCO officials were unavailable for comment.