Honourable senators, as you know, February is Black History Month.

This year’s theme is “Canadians of African Descent: Going forward, guided by the past,” based on the United Nations’ recommendations in the context of the International Decade for People of African Descent, from 2015 to 2024. Those recommendations encourage governments to take concrete action to promote and protect the human rights of people of African descent. These measures must be established in the spirit of recognition, justice and development.

The symbol chosen for 2020 is the Sankofa bird. This mythical bird of Ghanaian origin symbolizes the wisdom, knowledge and memory of the people. It invites us to reflect on the past to build a successful future where we protect, teach and promote the richness of the cultures of black communities. It inspires our young people to become agents of change in our multicultural society.

This month, let’s learn more about our history in order to better understand the unique issues and challenges facing black Canadians. Let’s participate in celebrating their heritage. Let’s highlight their contributions to our society.

Honourable colleagues, it is in this spirit that I invite you today to the exhibit entitled “African-Canadian Literature in the Senate of Canada,” which will be held tomorrow from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Room B-45.

The exhibit is part of the commitment made together with my colleagues, Senators Bernard, Moodie and Ravalia, to highlight the contributions of Canadians of African descent to our country’s culture. We urge you to discover their achievements, hear their voices and learn about their realities and their perspectives.

This event was organized in collaboration with Intercultural Mosaic, a non-profit organization based in Ottawa dedicated to promoting the cultures of communities from Africa and the Caribbean.

I look forward to seeing you there.

Honourable colleagues, I am looking forward to seeing you all there. Thank you.