Minister of State for Overseas Development, Mr Peter Power, T.D, launches Africa Day 2010 Celebrations

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Minister of State for Overseas Development, Mr Peter Power, T.D, launches Africa Day 2010 Celebrations

Minister of State for Overseas Development, Mr Peter Power, T.D., today launched a range of celebrations to mark Africa Day 2010 in Ireland.

A series of events across the country, commencing with a family day in Dublin’s Iveagh Gardens on Sunday, 16 May, will take place to mark Africa Day. The celebrations will conclude with a family day at City Hall in Limerick on Sunday, 30 May.

Africa Day, an initiative of the African Union, falls on 25 May each year.  It celebrates the diversity of the people and cultures of the continent.   Irish Aid - Ireland’s overseas aid programme - is supporting events to mark Africa Day, focusing on the theme of ‘food and food security’.

Announcing this year’s programme for Africa Day in Dublin’s Iveagh Gardens today, the Minister of State for Overseas Development, Mr Peter Power, T.D., said:

“I am delighted to launch such a rich and colourful programme of events to mark Africa Day in Iveagh Gardens and throughout Ireland. This is the fourth year that Irish Aid is organising Africa Day celebrations to mark our strong and enduring ties with Africa.

Africa Day offers an opportunity for us all to celebrate the heritage and identity of Africa and the many African people living in Ireland. Last year over 30,000 people attended Africa Day events around the country. Africa Day also offers the public an opportunity to learn more about the Government’s aid programme and our work in sub-Saharan Africa.

This year, we are focusing in particular on the theme of food and food security.  Ireland has been a leading global advocate in the fight against hunger since the publication of the report of the Irish Hunger Task Force in 2008.  The eradication of hunger is a cornerstone of the Irish Aid programme and we are committed to spending 20% of the overseas development budget to help achieve this.

We have seen that real progress can be made in tackling the hunger crisis, if the right policy approaches are followed.  Last year, for instance, the Government of Malawi, with the support of Irish Aid, provided seeds and fertiliser to over 1.7 million of the country's poorest farmers. The provision of these vital resources helped secure an increased harvest for the people of Malawi.”

• Africa Day Dublin is the flagship family-day that will kick-start celebrations on Sunday, 16^th May.  The free-to-public event will feature a Main Stage with music by African and Irish artists; an education zone where visitors can learn about crops and foods from Africa; a speakers’ corner, which will include a book club discussion; and an African Bazaar showcasing food, costumes and dance from Africa.  A games area will offer lessons in the African board game, Oware.
• In addition to Africa Day @ Iveagh Gardens, there will be Irish Aid-sponsored events in more than thirty locations throughout the country.  These include visual art and drumming workshops, an African puppet show, a film festival and public discussions on food as well as a photographic exhibition and African fashion shows. The celebrations will conclude with another family day at City Hall in Limerick on Sunday, 30^th May.
• For more information on Africa Day, please visit: www.africaday.ie.

• Irish Aid is the Government’s programme for overseas assistance. It is a division of the Department of Foreign Affairs. For further information on Irish Aid, visit www.irishaid.gov.ie

• For further information or an interview with Minister Peter Power, contact Fionnuala Quinlan, press officer, Irish Aid, the Department of Foreign Affairs on 01-4082653 or 087-9099975

ENDS+++

Press Office

Department of Foreign Affairs

5 May 2010