• Submitted by: manso
• International
• 08 / 22 / 2011

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PL. 21 de Agosto 2011. The 1st World Summit of African Descendants began last Thursday in Honduras with the presence at least of three Central American heads of state and representatives from more than 70 countries. The summit, organized by the United Nations, is being held in La Ceiba, 450 kilometers northwest of the capital.

Presidents Mauricio Funes, Alvaro Colom and Daniel Ortega, of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua, respectively, will be present, as well as their host, President Porfirio Lobo.

Those attending hope to attain international agreements for the development of their communities, said Celeo Alvarez, general coordinator of the event.

The main demands include the fight against the racism and discrimination, and respect for the right to education, housing, and employment, Alvarez said.

A draft summit declaration states that the Afro-descendant communities of the world ask nations and international agencies to adopt affirmative measures to assure full access to food and information and communications technology.

They also request protection for themselves and their lands from military conflicts, urban development plans and natural disasters.

The summit is the result of the UN resolution 64/169 resolution, which proclaims 2011 as the "International Year of African Descendants."