Fourth session of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent

Title of the side event:  EDUCATION STRATEGY SESSION                                                                                            Developing Saturday Schools for Africa and Youth of African Descent, Globally

Date, time and time zone of side event:                                                                                                                      Wednesday, April 16, 2025, | 1:00 pm -3:00 pm (ET- New York)

Sponsoring organization(s) or entity/ies:
International Civil Society Working Group (ICSWG) 
 
Language(s) in which the side event will be held
English

Description of the side event (no more than 100 words):                                                                                      
This session explores International Saturday Schools, empowering youth of African descent globally with African-centered education. Highlighting SEA Saturday School in Benin as a model, it emphasizes curricula teaching history, heritage, and community engagement. Key focuses include language preservation through indigenous language education and materials, and creating an academic pipeline inspired by Harriet Tubman’s principle—supporting students' advancement to uplift communities. Actionable steps: Implement the SEA model to expand Saturday Schools globally, develop mother-tongue resources, and establish academic pipelines for lifelong student support, fostering leadership and community connection among African-descended youth.                                                                            
Location of the side event (or website for registration, for events held online). For
online events, kindly ensure to send the connection link to facilitate participants’
access. Hybrid – In-person and on Zoom
Zoom Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/K7Dsl4yeStWZnacgv_4TgA

Name and email address of the lead organizer (and permission to publish the lead
organizer’s contact details)
Submitted by: ICSWG Programs Co-lead Prophet N. Anyanwu Cox, R.N (MO)., M.Ed.,
Email: anyanwu1950@gmail.com | Permission to publish given

Any visual you may have to enhance your event promotion, i.e., flyers, posters, or related materials. PANELIST: Dr. Sheila Walke, anthropologist, educator. Dr. Valerie F. Hunt (Implements a SEA model Saturday School in Benin, Africa), Dr. Julianne Malveaux economist, educator, and public policy analyst., Dr. Reynaldo Anderson, Afrofuturist

Weblink for any further information: https://iwgpfpad.mn.co/spaces/9306480/feed