In a stirring keynote address delivered during Africa Week 2025 at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, Ambassador Lorenzo Llewellyn Witherspoon of Liberia issued a compelling appeal for global solidarity in restoring Africa’s cultural and intellectual heritage through the transformative forces of education, culture, and science.
Serving as Liberia’s Special Envoy on Cultural and Heritage Diplomacy, Ambassador Witherspoon spoke under the theme, “Global Solidarity for the Restitution and Restoration of African Heritage through Education, Culture, and Sciences.” His remarks underscored both the historic contributions of Africa to global knowledge and the lasting damage wrought by colonial-era cultural theft and historical erasure.
“Africa has always been at the forefront of human ingenuity,” Witherspoon declared. “From the advanced ironwork of the Nok civilization to the astronomical knowledge of the Dogon and the learning centers of Timbuktu, our legacy is rich. Yet, this legacy has been systematically erased, appropriated, or ignored.”
The ambassador called for a bold new global compact , one rooted in concrete action rather than symbolic gestures. Among the measures he proposed were the restitution of displaced cultural artifacts, increased investment in African-led research, curriculum reforms that reflect African perspectives, and acknowledgement of historical injustices that continue to hinder Africa’s development.
Ambassador Witherspoon also highlighted the intellectual and cultural dispossession experienced not only across the African continent but throughout the global African diaspora. Citing the CARICOM Reparatory Justice agenda, he emphasized that “destroying historical memory is a crime requiring reparations.” Museums, academic institutions, and cultural exchange programs, he noted, must play a critical role in repairing the damage and addressing intergenerational trauma.
He drew a poignant link between the historical experiences of enslaved Africans and present-day cultural alienation. “Reparatory justice,” he affirmed, “must include restoring dignity and rebuilding the bridges of belonging.”
With an eye toward action, Ambassador Witherspoon urged the international community to recognize 2025 as a pivotal year of change. “Let us designate 2025 as our fifth year—a year characterized by deliberate action, following years of preparation and reflection,” he said.
He concluded by challenging global stakeholders to transform Africa Week from a ceremonial observance into a launchpad for meaningful and systemic change in the global appreciation and restoration of African heritage.
The keynote address was widely praised for its depth and urgency, setting a powerful tone for the week’s events and reinforcing Africa Week’s role as a platform for cultural justice and renewal.
