The starting point is historical - what actually happened within the so-called tripartite trading, what were the implications for the involved regions and which role did our own country play in the not so honourable past? It's all about breaking the silence and ignorance of Africa's and the Africans' substantial contribution to the economic, social and cultural development of the Atlantic region, and to make aware the present day perspectives and parallels of modern forms of slavery and violations of human rights.

One of the project's focal points is the activities always held on 23^rd August which since 1998 has been chosen as "UNESCO's International Day for the Commemoration of the Slave trade and its Abolition".

This day is the rallying point for UNESCO's and the ASP schools' focus on slavery - both present-day and historical. Both before and after 1791, slaves have revolted against their oppression, suffering and the intolerable conditions they had to live under. It was on precisely this date, 23^rd August 1791 that the uprising on the former colony of St. Dominique, later Haiti, began. An uprising that enforced the rights of the slaves albeit for just a short period. This date represents therefore the first weakening of the chains used to incarcerate the slaves and a day thus to be remembered. The fight against the suffering caused by slavery and its effects on our hearts and minds are long from relinquished. Mutual anxiety, mistrust and the notion of superiority and inferiority based on race can still be found in people to this very day, and initiative and perseverance is an absolute necessity to fight effectively against this ignorance.

It is therefore an inspiration to read about the results achieved by the active and devoted pupils and staff of the Danish TST schools. The aims of UNESCO's Transatlantic Slave trade project is, of course, to study slavery and its implications. But over and above this also to develop new teaching activities and materials that can deepen the pupils' knowledge and understanding of the historical sequel of events which makes them even more aware of their own historicity and background. This in turn strengthens their own will and ability to act accordingly and invoke change where possible and necessary thus empowering them to living in harmony with other cultures both locally and globally.