President of the United Nations General Assembly Dennis Francis to Deliver Special Address on the Transatlantic Slave Trade, its Legacies, and the Pursuit of Reparatory Justice 

NEW YORK, April 22, 2024 –On Tuesday, April 23, the Institute on Race, Power and Political Economy (the Institute) at The New School is honored to welcome His Excellency, Mr. Dennis Francis, President of the United Nations General Assembly at its 78th session, for a special address on the transatlantic slave trade, its legacies, and the pursuit of reparatory justice, as part of the 2024 Henry Cohen Lecture Series. 

President Dennis Francis’ address will speak to the international legacy of slavery, shining a spotlight not only on the heinous acts committed, but also on the unrelieved racism and prejudice that continues to plague people of African descent and our societies today.

“It is high time to right the wrongs of systemic racism and injustice, to educate present and future generations about the history and enduring legacy of slavery—accurately and truthfully, and to reclaim and write the true stories of Africans and people of African descent, forging a future filled with justice, equality, and dignity for all,” President Francis said.

Following his remarks, President Francis will sit in conversation with Institute Founding Director Darrick Hamilton to explore the opportunities and challenges of multilateralism for advancing peace, prosperity, progress, and sustainability.

“We are honored to welcome the President of the United Nations General Assembly Dennis Francis to the Institute on Race Power and Political Economy to address this vital topic,” Institute Founding Director Darrick Hamilton said. “This important conversation will further our understanding of the lasting impact of the transatlantic slave trade and offer a vision for strategies that can move the global community to a place of fairness, inclusion, and justice.”

President Dennis Francis has had a career spanning approximately 40 years in the Diplomatic Service of Trinidad and Tobago, including 18 years as ambassador. Before demitting office as Director of Multilateral Relations, he functioned as Senior Adviser to the Minister for Foreign Affairs on all multilateral-level matters, including climate change and the negotiations on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Mr. Francis has been appointed as a Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Geneva; Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization and the UN Human Rights Council; and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO.

The Institute conducts research to shed light on the structures of inequality and develop knowledge about the pivotal roles of race, power, and social stratification. Building relationships beyond the academy, institute researchers work to identify, implement, and scale transformative ideas to promote economic inclusion, civic empowerment, and social equity. The Institute also works to foster the next generation of scholars bringing diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and new thinking to society’s biggest challenges.