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Participants from twelve nations were welcomed to
Benin and Togo by government officials, vodoun leaders, traditional
chiefs, villages, and a gracious outpouring of affection by citizens of
these two African nations. PROMETRA chapters from Senegal, Mali, Benin,
Cameroon, Ghana, USA, Uganda, Kenya, Guinea-Bissau, Togo and Burkina
Faso comprised the PROMETRA family that joined participants from
throughout the world’s diaspora.
Members of Healing the Heart of Diversity (http://www.leadingdiversity.org)
took part in the Way of Remembering Study Tour.
Leading Diversity®, a professional
leadership development program and change process, fosters a deeper
understanding of diversity issues and encourages ways of living and
working with the complexities and beauty of diverse relationships. The
organization’s CEO,
Patricia Moore Harbour gave a moving
speech to the crowd who gathered at the Door of Return Ceremony on
Ouidah Beach.
[click for full text].
Students and faculty from
Morehouse School of Medicine’s Masters of Public Health Program,
Morehouse College and Spelman College of Atlanta, GA USA were also
participants. PROMETRA International’s goal of a healthier world
involves youth development and leadership training programs.
Cotonou, Benin is a
sister city with Atlanta, Georgia. In an effort to strengthen the
bridge between the two cities, a delegation from the City of Atlanta
Sister City Commission participated in the study tour and also hosted a
special meeting with the Honorable Nicephore Soglo current Mayor of
the City of Cotonou and former President of the Republic of Benin.
The purpose of this study
tour is to build bridges between the continent of Africa and her
children who currently are spread throughout the world. To welcome the
children of Africa back to the continent through a participatory
learning process is the fundamental activity. . PROMETRA sponsors such
study tours in an effort to assure that the world citizens of Africa
understand its history, civilization, cultures and most importantly,
Africa’s positive future. Workshop sessions, dialogue with African
leaders and policymakers, witnessing of authentic Vodoun ceremonies and
rituals and visits to communities and villages were part of the
scheduled activities. The Door of Return Museum (make a link) played a
featured part of the experience, helping the participants to better
understand the slavery holocaust and its impact upon Africa and the
world.
Visit
www.traditionalcultureproject.org for more photos on the culture of
Benin and Togo
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