December 29, 2008

Hujambo (greetings) Africans of the Diaspora:

This has been a very satisfactory year for the entire system of WADU in 2008. I have seen an appreciable spread of interests and support for our movement. Never before has so much interests by the Diaspora in African affairs been evinced throughout, groups, associations, individuals and the media. I am particularly pleased to see the work and interest achieved by our women. They have not only assisted greatly in attending and preparation of meetings in many countries and cities, but they have also in increasing numbers brought out their young children and grandchildren to meetings.

At my age (92 on January 19, 2009), I am constantly invigorated whenever I see young people preparing themselves to carry on the torch of Pan Africanism, our history and the legacy handed down to us by our foreparents. We have witnessed in the past year hopeful triumphs that many thought they would not witness in their lifetime. Yes, we can all enjoy the smell of victory, but let me take this opportunity to issue a warning. Let us in this moment of euphoria not be lulled into a false state of complacency that all our troubles are over and that all the injustices that have overshadowed us in the past is gone forever. The price of Justice is Eternal Vigilance. At a time when we are challenged by so many downturns and difficulties in our daily lives, we have now the clear duty and opportunity to save the next generation.

This is an age of Enlightenment. Enlightenment leads us to the Truth. History is the endless path along which Culture and Development travels. At this definitive moment of time, let us realize our good fortune and remember that wise men learn from history and do not fester over injustices of the past. The Future begins today. We must change the present global order and can do so if we believe in our own ability to achieve our goals. It is our duty to readjust the gross imbalances in our society. We must replace the culture of materialism and greed with those of spirituality and altruism. Start by looking at your neighbor and realize that we are our sister and brother’s keeper.

The World African Diaspora Union is sincerely urging you to break down the walls of bigotry and racism that divides us and utilize the power and forces that lies within us to establish a New Global Order based on Justice and Equality for All. We, who started civilization in the Motherland, must not feel daunted by the noble task before us.

Members of WADU, you have in each one of you the inherit genes of our forefathers and foremothers to achieve greatness. Your reward is the opportunity it offers you to make this world a better place. Let us resolve now to move together in 2009. Reach out and bring your friends and sisters and brothers into the World African Diaspora Union. Let me stress that our goal is to establish a new global order of Justice and Equality for All. Our next Summit is July 2009. Please visit our website for updates at WWW.WADUPAM.ORG.

Yours most sincerely,

Dudley Thompson.

President of WADU

WADU Pan African Movement 2008 Summit Resolution

Cultural Determination – for Economic & Political Rebirth

August 23, 2008

WHEREAS, after centuries of enslavement and colonialism African development is severely hampered by the enduring effects of de-Africanization, cultural amnesia, lack of consciousness and global disunity; and

WHEREAS, the state of African people worldwide, culturally, politically and economically, demands that the Pan African Movement create new instruments of power to advance Pan Africanism in the 21st century and beyond; and

WHEREAS, the World African Diaspora Union (WADU) was established as an authentic African Diaspora organization in July 2007 in response to the necessities, aspirations and vision for the African Diaspora reunion with our Homeland, Africa; and

WHEREAS, WADU is dedicated to promoting African cultural institutions, projects and programs to wage a relentless campaign to reclaim African Way of life, African consciousness, history and heritage for the rebirth of African civilizations; THEREFORE,

Let It Be Resolved that the delegates of the 3^rd Pan Afrikan Movement Summit in Harlem, NY from August 21-24, 2008 accept the following African Diaspora program of actions to be institutionalized as part of the global struggle to reclaim African culture; and

Let It Resolved that WADU publish “A Pan African Manifesto” to be read by all Africans of the Diaspora concerning and consistent with the vision, history and heritage of the Pan African Movement as a continuation of ancient African civilizations; and

Let It Be Resolved that the Month of May be formally recognized as Afrikan Liberation Month, a critical period to promote African culture, African Way of Life and African education in schools, faith communities and the public at large; and

Let It Further Resolved that WADU PAM Summit in 2009 be dedicated to “Economic Determination” for African reconstruction, restitution, business, investments and trade initiatives - for justice, equality and empowerment politically and culturally; and

Let It Further Resolved that the 2010 Summit be convened in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to foster African Diaspora union with Africa, to celebrate our story as the foundation of humanity and civilizations and to commemorate in a Pilgrimage the sacrifices of our Ancestors, especially those perished during the holocaust of enslavement; and

Let It Be Further Resolved that the 2008 Summit participants re-elect Baba Dudley Thompson as the President of WADU effective August 23, 2008 through the 2010 WADU Summit, and thereafter be the first President General of WADU.

Let It Finally Be Resolved on this day of August 23, 2008 that the WADU PAM Summit participants support this resolution to rededicate and redouble ourselves to WADU as Cultural workers to reclaim the hearts and minds of African people as part of the global African agenda to advance Pan Africanism, at Home and abroad.

Co-Conveners: Shelby Lewis, Chief Commissioner & John Watusi Branch, Chief Elder - NY

EVENT: Pan Afrikan Movement (PAM) Conference/Summit
DATE: Thursday, August 21 - Sunday, August 24, 2008
THEME: CULTURAL DETERMINATION - For Economic & Political Rebirth

CONFERENCE PROGRAM - Co-conveners: TBA

THURSDAY, August 21, Day 1

9:00 a.m. (Registration)

Press Conference: 11:00 a.m.

Pilgrimage (African Burial Ground & Harlem)

Special Secretariat Session:  1:00 p.m.

Opening Traditional Ceremonies: 5:00 p.m.

Opening Address:  TBA

FRIDAY, August 22, Day 2

Strategy Sessions - 9:00 a.m.

SPECIAL SESSION#1 - Political Blueprint - 2007

SPECIAL SESSION#3 - Cultural Blueprint - 2008

SPECIAL SESSION#2 - Economic Blueprint -2009

Council of Elders Roundtable Report 1:00 p.m.

Congress of Leaders Roundtable Report 3:00 p.m.

WADU Secretariat Roundtable Report 5:00 p.m.

Main Address:  7:00 p.m. - TBA

Film: Africa Unite

SATURDAY, August 22, Day 3

State of the Pan African World - 9:00 a.m.

African Ambassadors

Special Guest Speakers

Representatives of National Org.

Representatives Global Pan African Orgs.

Main Address - TBA

Cultural Edutainment Program - 7:00 P.M.

SUNDAY, August 23, Day 4

Pan African Spirituality 10:00 a.m.
Plenary Session - Blueprint Report
Commissioner’s Cultural Plan of Action
New Appointments
*WADU Letter/Report to the African Union
*Next Actions, Secretariat Sessions, Summit
Closing Address: TBA
Where Do Go From Here? Economic Determination - 2009
Departure Post-Summit Activities

Pan African Movement Summit  2008

REGISTER NOW

Cultural Determination -for Economic & Political Rebirth

With Our Chief Elder & President

His Excellency Dudley Thompson

Esteemed Elder, Participant of the of the Movement 5th Pan African Congress/Attorney for President Jomo Kenyatta, Former Ambassador to Africa, WITH a delegation of Pan Afrikan leaders from across the African Diaspora and Africa to celebrate the 108th Anniversary of the formal launching of the Pan African Movement and to build the World African Diaspora Union (WADU) of Africa, NOW!

SUMMIT, PILGIMAGE & GROUNDINGS

*Unifying the African Diaspora with Africa

*Peoples Assembly & Conference

*Workshops on African Culture, Spirituality,

Health, Politics & Economics - Blueprint for Pan Africanism

*Plenary Decisions on the Future of African People

The Afrikan Movement 2007 Post-Summit Forum

His Excellency Baba Dudley Thompson

Interim Chief Elder & President

Leonard Jeffries James Small

Yaa Farika Shelby Lewis

Akbar Muhammad Joyce King

October 27-28, 2007

Fort Lauderdale, USA

(Ask for Kofi to Get-On the Pan Afrikan Caravan – 678-614-9058)

OBJECTIVES:

*Building an Afrikan Diaspora Secretariat

*PAM Summit 2008 Planning Workshops

*WADU Manifesto/BluePrint for Power - 2008

*2008 African Union Summit Strategy Sessions

*Political, Cultural & Economic Action Councils

*African Spirituality & Holistic Health (W/Dr. Kojo Vassals)

MORE!

A participant of the famous 5th Pan African Congress (PAC), His Excellency Dudley Thompson was elected Chief Elder &President of the World African Diaspora Union (WADU) at the 2007 PAM Summit in Jamaica along with nominees such as Elombe Brath, Leonard Jeffries, Yaa Farika Birhane & Akbar Muhammad. WADU’s work is to unify Africans of the Diaspora as an integral part of a central government based in Africa , NOW. Join the 2008 delegation of Pan Afrikan leaders from across the African Diaspora and Africa to celebrate the 108th Anniversary of the formal launching of the Pan African Movement and to build an African Diaspora Union (A.U. 6th Region) and a Blueprint for Pan African Power in the World.

His Excellency Dudley Thompson, the President of the World Afrikan Diaspora Union (WADU) urged support for the August 2008 WADU Summit in New York , stressing that “We can change the global order. We who created civilizations, can change the world order for justice, equality and peace for all” during the recent WADU leadership forum in Fort Lauderdale , Florida . The African Diaspora Pan African Movement Summit will be held at City College in NY from August 21-24, 2008. The theme for the upcoming Summit is Cultural Determination for Economic and Political Rebirth.

The President’s message in Florida is part of his campaign to drum up and build support for WADU from the rank and file of the grassroots leadership and to instill the importance of effective work on behalf of African people. The meeting was also to ensure that the history and importance of Pan Africanism was imparted to a new generation of African leaders. As a result of the meeting Baba Kwame Foh was named chief elder for the state of Florida and Dr. Niara Surdakana, the new Chief Elder for the Diaspora. Newly appointed veteran chief elders are responsible to organize their respective state by immediately convening council of elders and congress of leaders to expedite the work for African empowerment and African Diaspora union with Africa . Finally, the WADU forum in Florida was to impress upon the Diaspora the importance of participating in the 2008 Pan African Movement Summit in August 2008 at City College in New York .

In a separate WADU forum at Howard University , organized by the Washington , D.C. area chief elder Marilyn P. Killingham, Dr. Leonard Jeffries called for Africans to “pull together as one global African nation.” He stressed that the individualistic modern Diaspora tribes forced together through slavery and ancient tribes surviving in Africa are been crushed due the relentless industrial and high tech assault by the unified tribes of Europe, of Asia and the Middle East . He pointed that their ravenous appetite for African resources can only be checked with the building of a Pan African nation. Dr. Jeffries is the Vice President and a co-founder of WADU and was enroute to Europe and then on to Africa to promote the importance of WADU and the Summit at City College .

The 2008 NY Summit with theme Cultural Determination will emphasize plans for a manifesto, as a guiding philosophy for Black advancement. Also, the Summit is expected to call for educational campaigns to promote African history, heritage and traditional practices. Additionally, the summit intends to recruit a new generation Pan African leaders as a Congress to organize communities across the African Diaspora. Finally, the Summit will strategize on ways to continue engaging the African Union and grassroots Pan African leadership in Africa on issues regarding African unification and empowerment.

To participate as a delegate to the World Afrikan Diaspora Union (WADU) Summit in NY from August 21-24, 2008 or to get more information about WADU, please contact WADUPAM.ORG.  You can also contact John Watusi Branch, chief elder for the state of New York at 718-523-3312 or City College at 212-650-8651. For flight & hotel accommodations contact Sister Amani at 646-201-9644.

I congratulate those of you who have been nominated for leadership posts whether you are finally elected or not. You have all offered to serve the cause and we know there can only be leaders where there are followers. I write to each of you with the full understanding and pride that you have placed your trust in me and that all leadership positions including mine are temporary and last only as long as I effectively represent and advance the cause of all Black People. Let me be clear, the Pan African CAUSE ENVISIONS Black empowerment globally for the work of achieving our Destiny, the Black Renaissance and the establishment of a new global order based on JUSTICE and EQUALITY for all in a multicultural, non racist world.

We must all realize that when we are given the honourable post of leadership, in this hard road ahead, it carries with it a demand from you, one of service. That is why we must consider all posts temporary. As leaders, the Movement expects you every day of your life to develop and strengthen the NEW AFRICAN PERSONALITY, that which will cause all others to respect the Dignity our brothers and sisters. We have a duty all our lives to teach and train our youth to reevaluate themselves, to learn the accomplishments of our ancestors in the struggles of the past and their rich legacy in the battles for freedom. Our true history will remind the world that it is our early Black Parents that brought civilization onto this planet. The post you accept is not just one in which you can now relax in the struggle. You do not just want to be somebody. You want to do something for the CAUSE. I often think as I go around the world to address ever growing audiences of conscious sisters and brothers that I am restrained from sitting in the audience to hear from one of them report on what they have done to advance the cause. This is the duty of true leadership

Brothers and sisters take courage that our circle is spreading like ripples in the pond. Give full praise to all our achievements in sport, music, and other accomplishments which are bringing new respect to the New African Personality. I look forward to meet with you at the next WADU Summit in Harlem , NYC from August 21-24, 2008. Please accept my blessings!

Dudley Thompson,
Pan Africanist & President of WADU

The President was in Trinidad to send a clear message emphasizing that, “We must work to build one unified system across the world to protect our children and to promote the glorious legacy of our Ancestors, Our challenge and opportunity now is to join WADU for Black empowerment, for reparations, and to build the African Diaspora as unified region of Africa .” The President uncompromising message on unity, justice and empowerment was graciously received by the leadership before he departed to the African and American Business Summit Tanzania .

The WADU President was joined by Madame Amina Salum Ali, African Union Ambassador to the United States; Dr. Leonard Jeffries, Vice President of WADU; Khafra Kambon of the Caribbean Pan African Movement; David Commissiong, Barbados African Affairs Commissioner; Queen Nzingha of the Association for the Study of Classical African Civilization (ASCAC); and others from various parts of the Diaspora. The meeting called by both WADU and the Caribbean Pan African Movement was to find ways to unify the Diaspora and support development projects.

The main speaker, Baba Dudley Thompson is a living legend of the Pan African Movement whose work has led to the liberation of the African continent and the African Diaspora. The mission of WADU is to continue the work of Pan Africanism- to unify and empower the African Diaspora with Africa . As a young Garveyite, he worked with Amy Garvey, WEB Dubois, George Padmore, President Kwame Nkrumah, President Jomo Kenyatta, President Julius Nyrere, Prime Minister Michael Manley of Jamaica and recently President-elect MKO Abiola of Nigeria . He was elected President of WADU in the 2007 African Diaspora Pan African Movement Summit .

Dr. Leonard Jeffries summed up the meeting in Trinidad “as just one important path leading to African victory over slavery, over oppression and over genocide in our long march for freedom and noble work for Pan Africanism or Perish,” And stressed “We cannot remain dominated and impoverished due to our division as Americans, as Caribbeans, Trinidadians, South Africans, Liberians, Kenyans, or as Nigerians, We are Africans, the wealthiest and most brilliant people from ancient times.”

Dr. Leonard Jeffries will be hosting the next WADU Pan African Movement Conference at City College in NYC from August 21-24, 2008. To join and support WADU contact WADUPAM.ORG or call 404-527-7756.