UNESCO through its Slave Route project supports this important national manifestation to give it a particular echo in this year's 10th anniversary of the Durban Declaration and its Programme of Action, acknowledging that "slavery and the slave trade are a crime against humanity". This also helps in highlighting the objectives of this year 2011, declared by the United Nations as "International Year for People of African Descent."

Throughout France, a series of meetings, seminars, symposia, panel discussion, exhibitions and other scientific gathering are held, with the participation of international experts.

This will help assessing progress achieved since the passing of this Law and also analyse future challenges ahead, including management of the history and socio-cultural heritages associated with this tragedy and their effective integration into the educational policies.

This debate also open on the necessity for the integration at other regional and national legislation.

The debate thus generated also poses the necessity for integration in other regions and countries, legislation recognizing slavery and the slave trade as a crime against humanity.

Some landmark events on this occasion:

• Official launching ceremony by the President of the Republic : Tuesday 10 May 2011 at 11:00 a.m. in Paris, Luxembourg garden (in French)

• "Acknowledgement of The Slave Trade and Slavery as a Crime against Humanity: Review and Prospects", Conference/Debate, May 10th, from 02:00 p.m. at UNESCO, preceded by the opening of the exhibition "The Soul of the slaves" (to be displayed from 10 May to 17 May)

• "Exhibit Slavery: Methods and Practices" , International Symposium at quai Branly Museum, 11, 12 and 13 May 2011 (in French)

• "Teaching on the Slave Trade, Slavery, Abolition and their Legacies": International Symposium, Paris, Ministry of Higher Education and Research, French Alliance, 18, 19 and 20 May 2011 (In French)

• Lest We Forget: The Triumph over Slavery ": UNESCO’s Exhibition presented in Dunkerque, of 2 to 20 May 2011 (in French)

• Commemoration of 10th May in France (CPMHE): Media Kit (in French)