Africa Day is on May 25, 2008

Africa Day celebrates African diversity and success and highlights the potential that exists on such a vast and varied continent. Irish Aid will be supporting a variety of events throughout Ireland to mark this International celebration.

Full Africa day programme [PDF]

Selected events

Monday, May 19

CORK - Féile Africa (to May 23)
Concerts & club sessions plus workshop exhibitions, discussions and lectures in Cork city. Africa_day@feileafrica.com  
086 8893691.

Wednesday, May 21

DUBLIN - When Will Democracy Work in Africa. The Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire Shopping Centre. 9am-4pm.
Democracy in Africa Conference - and Tourism Exhibition themed "Destination Africa" - to mark the 44th Africa Day celebrations. Master of Ceremonies: Mark Little, RTE Prime Time. Speakers: Phakiso Mochochoko, Senior Legal Advisor (Registry) at the International Criminal Court (ICC) the Hague, Holland; Dr. Petros B. Ogbazghi; Aki Stavrou, Director Integrating Ireland; Her Excellency Mannete Ramaili, Ambassador-Kingdom of Lesotho; Maurice Manning Irish Human Rights commission. The African Voice Newspaper in partnership with Responsible Policies and Our Own Hands; African Girls Network. Contact: Malcolm Eremionkhale 087-2618184; Thabi Madide 086-1209843; Neltah Chadamoyo 086-3287711.

DUBLIN - Africans in the Diaspora as Agents of Change. Irish Aid Information and Volunteering Centre, 27-31 Upper O’Connell Street, 7 p.m.
The Africa Centre invites you to its 6th Annual Public Lecture. Keynote address by Conor Lenihan TD., Minister for Integration. Guest speaker: Dr. Noel Tagoe, Lecturer, Oxford University, U.K. Reception will follow at the Academy Plaza Hotel, 10-14 Findlater Place, off O’Connell St. Contact: E. Mbemba Jabbi, T. 01 865 6951.

DUBLIN - African Women Creating and Shaping Change: A Celebration. Irish Aid Volunteering and Information Centre, 27-31 Upper O’Connell Street, 9.30 am - 4.30 pm
Timed to coincide with Africa Day, AkiDwA conference to highlight the role, contribution and impact African women have made in Africa and in Ireland.  Contact: E. Monica McMahon, T. 01 8148582.

Thursday, May 22

DUBLIN - Human Rights in Zimbabwe - what role can the Zimbabwean Churches play in helping to create a better future? Irish Aid Volunteering and Information Centre, O’Connell Street, 9.30 am to 12.30 pm.
Speakers include:

• Jestina Mukoko, National Director of the Zimbabwe Peace Project. ZPP has an extensive network of monitors who report incidents of political violence and politically motivated abuse.
• Rev. Raymond Motsi, spokesperson for the Zimbabwe Christian Alliance is senior pastor for the Bulawayo Baptist Church. He chairs the Save Zimbabwe Campaign and he is also the national chairperson of the Zimbabwe National Pastors Conference.
• Mike Auret ex secretary of the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace in Zimbabwe (CCJPZ). Auret won Harare (Central) in the Zimbabwe Parliamentary Elections, 2000.
• Steve Kibble (chair), Progressio’s Zimbabwe specialist and convenor of the European Church Network on Zimbabwe.

Organised by Trócaire and Progressio Ireland. Africa Day Event supported by Irish Aid. Reservations: E. Emmet Bergin, Progressio Ireland, T. 01 6144966.

Friday, May 23

KERRY - Launch of Sights and Sounds Africa 2008 photography exhibition, Tralee Library, Moyderwell, 10:30 a.m.
Launch by Tralee Mayor Miriam McGillicuddy. A new event expected to become an annual one for the county, the exhibition will continue in Tralee Library, May 23-30, and Killarney Library, June 3-7. Contact Susan O’Mahony, KADE on 066 7181358.

TALLAGHT, Dublin - Women in Leadership: African and Irish Perspectives. An Cosán, The Shanty Educational Project Ltd., Kiltalown Village Centre, Fortunestown Road, Jobstown. 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Africa Day Event: A Celebration of Women in Leadership. Speakers: Priscilla Jana, South African Ambassador to Ireland, Salome Mbugua, Director of AKIDWA, and Anne Genockey, Community Leader in Tallaght West. Contact: E. Lisa Harrington, T. 462 8488.

Saturday, May 24

DUBLIN - Writing Africa: A celebration of African Literature (to May 25). Irish Writers Centre.
Readings and workshops with leading African authors. info@writerscentre.ie 01 872 1302

DUBLIN - Africa Day Film Festival (to May 25). Irish Film Institute
Selection of world class African films. info@irishfilm.ie 01 679 3477.

GALWAY - African Voices. NUIG College bar, 2 - 8pm
Featuring African Dance Workshop, Fashion display, Storytelling for all ages, BBQ food available.

DUBLIN - Kanda Bongo Man, The Ambassador Theatre, 8 p.m.
In celebration of Africa Day. Doors Open at 7.30pm.

Sunday, May 25

WORLDWIDE, IRELAND - Africa Day
Africa Day, on 25 May, celebrates African diversity and success and highlights the potential that exists on such a vast and varied continent. Irish Aid will be supporting a variety of events throughout Ireland to mark this International celebration. Events will include music, dance, African fairs, lectures and other cultural and entertainment activities. Africa Day is the annual commemoration on May 25 of the 1963 founding of the Organisation of African Unity. 2008 is the 45th anniversary.

DUBLIN - Africa Day @ Dublin Castle, 1-7 p.m.
Irish Aid’s flagship Africa Day event takes place in the gardens of Dublin Castle from 1pm to 7pm on Sunday 25 May. This event is FREE to the public and includes entertainment for adults and children. Africa Day @ Dublin Castle will feature an exciting line up of performers throughout the day including: Mundy; very special guest appearances from Sinead O’Connor and Republic of Loose with the Discovery Gospel Choir. There will be a range of entertainment for children. Updates on Facebook.

GALWAY - Spirit of Africa Day. Open Air Stage, Eyre Sq. 1pm - 6pm
Featuring African Music and Drum Group; Childrens Face Painting.