Page 31 - DIVA_2_2007_No.29

A drawing competition for
children aged 10 to 15 on
presidents of the newly the theme of Africa Day is
iiidependent African states, currently being organized
.*l
recognized the need for a in the intemational schools
pan-African organization. Already on May 21", there in Geneva.

'="-A"' i Thus was the Organization will be the opening of aii
'1
'? forAJrican Unity born. African arts and crafts On the May 23rd, Africa
exhibition at the ILO. The Day, other events will take
. %c ,,",i:
Its aitns were to dispel the conection includes ancient place in Geneva. Let us
at nization, to promote unity sculptures, retracing culture briefly mention a debate
the

remaining vestiges of colo-
about Africa and paitners-
evolution ofAfi'ican
and solidarity among its from before the beg'nning hips to take place in the
member states and, not the of the Christian era. One If,O, then, later that eve-
Every year on 23rd May,
least, to promote intematio- objective oftbis exbibit is to ning, the official coinme-
the African Union celebra-
nal cooperation within the show the use of a vai'iety of morations will continue
tes Africa Day. "For quite a
framework of the United materials inAfrican arts and with music, fashion shows,
long titne this event was
Nations. hil999, the OAU craffs over time. The exhibit traditional African food
always celebrated in Bern,
became the African Union will go on for a week and and more...
but we wanted to biing it
with the aiin of accelera- will be open to the public.
back to Geneva", Her
ting the process of integra-
Excellency Ms Masri,
tion on the continent, to
Ambassador of the African
enable Africa to play its
Union here in Geneva, told
rightful role in the global
US.
economy and address
multifaceted social, econo-
Although the African
mic and political problems.
Union is generally known
amorig the international
"The theme for this year's
community as the provider
celebration is 'Strengthen-
of the AU force in Darfur,
ing Afiican's place in the
the organization has many
world though strategic
other facets to its credit. In
balances and responsible
fact its history goes back to
partnerships' " says
25 May 1963, when the
Ambassador Masri. "We

2 2007 Diva 29

W !V V'J - d', I'a%! oa i [! t e. T f'{ a Na-'0 0 In <a:il "[ I-; ['!