Unesco launches fresh effort in Africa to teach the continent its history
In 1964, shortly after many countries had gained independence, Unesco launched the General History of Africa, a project free from "racial prejudices ensuing from slave trade and colonisation, and promoting an African perspective". It took more than 30 years to complete....
But all this erudition was of little practical value. The political climate changed, with pan-Africanism being overtaken by hard-line nationalism, so the tomes gathered dust on the shelves of government offices. Now Unesco is determined to have a second try and find an educational use for the General History of Africa. With the political backing of the African Union and financial support of Libya, which has promised $2m, Unesco launched a new initiative in March 2009....
Read entire article at Guardian (UK)
But all this erudition was of little practical value. The political climate changed, with pan-Africanism being overtaken by hard-line nationalism, so the tomes gathered dust on the shelves of government offices. Now Unesco is determined to have a second try and find an educational use for the General History of Africa. With the political backing of the African Union and financial support of Libya, which has promised $2m, Unesco launched a new initiative in March 2009....