Preparation for Africa Day 2012 ~ Global African Diaspora Summit

The first Global African Diaspora Summit theme, "Towards the Realisation of a United and Integrated Africa and its Diaspora," is preceeded by a New Moon Solar Eclispe, @5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. We mark this meaningful sign for success and positive reception to constructive shared ideas. The African Union has defined the African Diaspora as "consisting of people of African origin living outside the continent, irrespective of their citizenship and nationality and who are willing to contribute to the development of the continent and the building of the African Union."

The first Global African Diaspora Summit is held on Africa Day at the Sandton Convention Centre, which will be attended by 64 heads of state, and hosted by the African Union (AU) in partnership with the South African Government. The summit is preceded by an African Diaspora Ministerial Meeting at the Tambo Building, Department of International Relations and Cooperation Head Office in Pretoria.

The theme Towards the Realisation of a United and Integrated Africa and its Diaspora, is preceeded by a New Moon Solar Eclispe to mark a meaningful sign for success.

The AU has defined the African Diaspora as "consisting of people of African origin living outside the continent, irrespective of their citizenship and nationality and who are willing to contribute to the development of the continent and the building of the African Union."

The California Black Agriculture Working group will co-host Africa Day in California and highlight the 150th Anniversary of the USDA, Morrill Act and Emancipation Proclamation demonstrating ongoing contribution of people of African ancestry to the “California Grown” to the bounty of agriculture excellence in the "Greatest Garden in the World," the Central Valley of California. A stronger California - African Union exchange will include appropriate technology, technical education and economic development.

In 2003, the first African Union Extra-Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of States decided to integrate the African Diaspora into the policy framework of the AU. This was done by amending the Constitutive Act, to provide a new article that invites and provides full participation of the African Diaspora as an important part of the continent.

The amendment has not yet come into force owing to inadequate ratification. At its eighth Ordinary Session in 2006, the AU Executive Council took Decision EX.CL/269 (VIII) on the African Diaspora initiative. This decision also endorsed South Africa to host the first Global African Diaspora Summit. The hosting of this summit is to be done in cooperation with the AU Commission on behalf of the AU.

The summit aims to create sustainable partnerships between the African Diaspora and the African continent through a realisable Programme of Action; create sustainable dialogue and partnerships; strengthen Pan-African solidarity for a better Africa and the Diaspora.

As we prepare to celebrate today's New Moon Solar Eclispe, universal attention toward global celebrations of Africa Day 2012 ~ Celebrating the African Diaspora will include Africa Day at the California State Capitol, Friday, May 25, 2012.