BLANGO WELCOMES SLAVERY EDUCATION MOVE

12.00.00am GMT Thu 1st Feb 2007

The Liberal Democrat head of citizenship in Southwark has welcomed Government plans to require schools to teach the history of slavery and its abolition to all pupils.

"It is very important that young people understand the history of slavery from all sides," said Cllr Columba Blango, Liberal Democrat Executive Member for Communities, Equalities and Citizenship. "I welcome the plans from the Government to introduce such teaching into our schools."

"I want our young people to learn about William Wilberforce and the abolitionists in the UK. But I also want them to learn about the resistance movements led by slaves themselves, the effects of slavery on the history of many African and Caribbean nations and the lasting impact of slavery on people today."

"We must not forget that slavery has been abolished but not eradicated. We must teach our young people of the importance of the on-going campaign to fight enslavement in the UK and around the world."

"Southwark Council has already committed to supporting a community led commemoration of the abolition of slavery 200 years ago and we look forward to a series of events and memorials to this."