Luanda - The Secretary of State for Culture, Maria da Piedade de Jesus, praised in Havana the importance of the cultural heritage of Afro-descendants in the construction of new societies and in the economic and social development of the world.
According to a statement sent to ANGOP on Thursday, the Secretary of State made the statement at one of the panels of the International Conference Cuba 2024, Decade of People of African Descent, 2015-2024, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly.
Maria de Jesus said that the cultural relationship between Afro-descendants and the African continent is not only anchored in the heritage resulting from the period of slavery.
"Today, cultural practices resulting from the African diaspora are common in Africa, which proves that the cultural relationship between the two is bidirectional, since there is a political commitment on the part of continental organizations of African states and their institutions to draw up policies for the materialization of spiritual and cultural links between the cradle continent and the black communities outside it," the official said.
Taking place until Friday, participants in the event are addressing issues related to the preservation of African influence in Cuba and education from an anti-racist value, the work of social networks and coordination with social activism.
Held in the cities of Havana and Matanzas, the conference aims to make visible Cuba's commitment and work in the fight against racism and discrimination based on skin color and national or territorial ethnic origin, adopted since the triumph of its revolution on January 1, 1959.AB/MCN/AMP
