The Heavenly Culture World Peace Restoration of Light (HWPL) Ethiopia Branch is set to host a pivotal two-day workshop next week, aiming to galvanize faith communities and ethical organizations to advance justice and reparations for Africans and people of African descent.
The event promises to be a catalyst for meaningful dialogue and action on historical injustices and their enduring impacts.
Scheduled for February 27th and 28th, 2025, the workshop, themed “The Role of Faith Communities and Ethical Organizations in Advancing Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations,” will take place at Kuriftu African Village Resort and the African Union Commission (AUC) respectively, both in Addis Ababa.
HWPL, in collaboration with a consortium of influential organizations, including the African Union Citizens and Diaspora Directorate (CIDO), AU Chaplaincy, Pan African Conference on Ethics and Bioethics (COPAB), Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), Interreligious Association for Peace and Development (IAPD) Africa, and United Religions Initiative (URI), seeks to leverage the moral authority of faith communities and the expertise of ethical organizations.
The goal is to examine how these groups can effectively contribute to reparative justice efforts, specifically addressing the long term socio economic consequences of historical wrongs inflicted upon the African diaspora.
“This workshop marks a crucial step in acknowledging and rectifying the past injustices that continue to affect communities across the African continent and its diaspora. By bringing together diverse voices from religious and ethical backgrounds, we aim to foster a collective understanding and develop concrete strategies for achieving reparative justice,” stated a representative from the HWPL Ethiopia Branch, in Addis Ababa.
The workshop is expected to feature keynote speeches, panel discussions, and interactive sessions, providing a platform for participants to share their experiences, insights, and best practices.
Topics will likely include exploring the ethical and theological foundations for reparations, assessing the socio economic impacts of historical injustices, and identifying practical measures for achieving restorative justice.
Organizers believe that the event will not only raise awareness about the importance of reparations but also empower faith communities and ethical organizations to become active agents of change in the pursuit of justice for Africans and people of African descent, according to the press release.