GAC Bridgetown Protocol - Introduction & Acknowledgements



		THE BRIDGETOWN PROTOCOL OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE AFRIKANS AND AFRIKAN DESCENDANTS WORLD CONFERENCE AGAINST RACISM OCTOBER 2-6, 2002 SHERBOURNE CONFERENCE CENTER BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS Copyright © Afrikans and Afrikan Descendants World Conference Against Racism 2003 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS OPENING REMARKS TABLE OF CONTENTS Footnote: Spelling of the name "Afrika" _________________________________ Edited by: Amani Olubanjo Buntu Published by: Afrikans and Afrikan Descendants World Conference Against Racism 2002 and the Global Afrikan Congress Secretariat ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS A great number of people availed themselves, their expertise and support to ensure the success of the historic Afrikans and Afrikan Descendants World Conference Against Racism 2002. Honour, respect and grateful acknowledgements are extended to each and every one who gave a helping hand. However, some deserve a specific mention for their devoted efforts to the process: First and foremost, we give thanks to our Ancestors for their protection and guidance which blessed the conference with great solutions and sparkling creativity; All the Elders who gave their support and advise before and during the conference; The Commission for Pan African Affairs, under the direction of David Commissiong, for hosting the conference; Barbados Tourist Authority for their kind donation of funds to the conference; The Black World Today web portal (www.tbwt.com) for marketing the conference on their website; Congress Against Racism – Barbados (C.A.R.B.), under the leadership of Reverend Aaron Larrier, together with Philip Knight and Glenroy Straughn, for providing a Secretariat for the conference; The Central Organizing Committee, under the leadership of Dr Jewel Crawford, chairperson for the conference, all the committee members and regional coordinators for their help with planning, mobilization and preparation for the conference; All the Chairs and Rapporteurs of Working Groups, for their coordination and supervision in the work process; Andrea King and Adrian Greene for their work as Media Coordinators, Annette Nias for her work as Logistics Coordinator at Sherbourne Conference Centre, Abigail Wickham from New Horizons Services for consultation on event management and Amanda Cumberbatch for her work as Chief Rapporteur; United Against Racism (Trinidad & Tobago) who hosted daily support group meetings to help people deal with the trauma of racism; The various traders and exhibitors who helped to create the right ambience; an atmosphere of business, learning and exchange; Anthony Cheeseman and Tony Thompson for coordinating the Opening and Closing Ceremonies; Danny Diallo Seitu Hinds for coordinating the cultural and spiritual program; Phavia Kujichagulia – and everyone else who helped out in conducting daily libation ceremonies; Everyone who worked with interpretation - for their patience and cooperation as translators for the conference; Association of Black Cardiologists and all conference delegates who donated money to the conference and the establishment of the new organization; Global Afrikan Congress; The Service Employees International Union (SEIU), USA, for their generous donation; The Final Call Newspaper and Editor Richard Mohammad, who, along with Dr. Raymond Winbush coordinated international press releases; The country of Barbados and its’ citizens who warmly embraced the conference and hosted it with great hospitality; The 700 delegates who brought their invaluable skills, concerns, critical analysis, spirit and recommendations; The GAC Interim Steering Committee – under the skilled leadership of Cikiah Thomas; and last, but not least; Dorothy Benton Lewis, Marva Berry, Dr. Chinosole, Marie Clarke Walker, Dr. Jewel Crawford, Wautella Graham, Lamisi Gurah, Dr. David Horne, Radhia Jabaar, Beverley Johnson, Dr. Marilyn Kern-Foxworth, Asha Noel, Bona Okigbo, Kibibi Tyheimba and Dr. Raymond Winbush, for invaluable proof reading and editorial assistance to The Bridgetown Protocol. _________________________________ SPELLING OF THE NAME “AFRIKA” The reader will note that the name “Afrika” is spelt with “k” (instead of “c”) in this report. This is based on the following insight: · It is a Pan-Afrikan spelling which relates both to the Afrikan continent and the Diaspora · It reflects the spelling of “Afrika” in all Afrikan languages · It includes the concept of “ka”, the vital energy which both sustains and creates life, as expressed in ancient Kemetic (Egyptian) teachings DEFINITION OF AFRIKAN The terms ‘Afrikan’ and ‘Black’, in this report, refer to the indigenous people of Afrika and their descendants throughout the Diaspora, in all corners of the world. The collective term used in this report is Afrikans and Afrikan Descendants (AAD). Continue... _________________________________ Please direct questions or comments to website@globalafrikancongress.com Copyright © 2003. All Rights Reserved.