Month: June 2025

DAKAR, Senegal, June 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Guinean artist and activist Elie Kamano has released a powerful new music video for his single, ‘Ils veulent l’Afrique sans les Africains’ (‘They Want Africa Without Africans’), delivering a bold artistic statement that fuses political resistance, cultural memory, and Pan-African solidarity.

Filmed on the sacred grounds of the Thiaroye mass graves in Dakar, the video honors victims of one of colonialism’s most heinous massacres. Kamano’s visual tribute transforms the site into a defiant stage, linking Africa’s historical trauma to the modern reparations movement. With raw lyricism and symbolic imagery, the video makes a clear demand: ‘Africa will reclaim what Europe stole.’

The release arrives at a pivotal moment. The African Union has declared 2025 as the Year of Reparations, providing institutional momentum to cultural and civic efforts across the continent. In Dakar, a recent high-profile conference reignited demands for justice surrounding the Thiaroye massacre, leading Senegalese authorities to launch archaeological excavations to document the scope of the 1944 French military crime—evidence that may substantiate formal reparations claims to France.

The reparations conversation has visibly moved to the streets. Dakar’s walls now feature bold graffiti murals demanding €50 trillion in reparations from former colonial powers—vivid calls for justice that cannot be ignored. In Bamako, Malian scholars and policymakers echo the urgency, calling for strategic frameworks that link historical redress with sustainable African futures.

Kamano’s work stands at the intersection of music and movement—galvanizing Pan-African youth, scholars, and policymakers alike. His anthem doesn’t just commemorate the past—it ignites the future.

“This is not just a song,” says Kamano. “It’s a voice for the voiceless. A call for dignity. A battle cry for what is rightfully ours.”

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2709512/Elie_Kamanos_Anthem_Amplifies.jpg

 

 

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SOURCE Elie Kamano

BEIJING, June 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — On June 7, 2024, the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly adopted a China-proposed resolution to designate June 10 as the International Day for Dialogue Among Civilizations. The event’s first edition was celebrated worldwide on June 10 this year.

The establishment of the day could not have been more timely, as it seeks to draw global attention to the importance of dialogue and promote greater exchange and harmony among civilizations.

“Things are born to be different.” This line from The Mencius, a collection of sayings of Confucian philosopher Mencius, who lived some 2,300 years ago, captures a fundamental truth rooted in the laws of nature: Everything in the world is inherently different.

On March 28, 2015, Chinese President Xi Jinping quoted this line in his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference, an annual forum held in Boao, a resort town in China’s southern island province of Hainan. The quote stresses that all civilizations are unique and no one is superior to the other.

Xi called on the international community to foster dialogue and exchange among civilizations and different development models, to learn from each other through healthy competition and to achieve shared development through mutual understanding. Inter-civilizational exchange should serve as a bridge that connects nations, an engine that drives human progress and a bond that sustains world peace, he added.

Once again, the global community has arrived at a critical juncture, where regional conflicts continue to break out, where humanity faces mounting challenge to global peace, security, development and governance.

Against this backdrop, a way for civilizations to coexist in harmony has become a pressing challenge–one that the international community can no longer afford to ignore.

In response to this challenge, Xi first proposed the Global Civilizations Initiative at the Communist Party of China (CPC) in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-Level Meeting held in Beijing in March 2023.

The initiative calls for a shared commitment to respecting the world’s diverse civilizations. This means upholding the principles of equality, mutual learning, dialogue and inclusiveness, bridging divides through exchange, resolving tensions through mutual understanding and moving beyond claims of cultural superiority toward peaceful coexistence.

It is in this spirit that China has positioned itself as both a staunch advocate of and an active participant in inter-civilizational exchange.

The country has built multiple platforms dedicated to promoting dialogue and cultural exchange. Through these efforts, the Chinese philosophy that every civilization has its own beauty and all can flourish together has found growing resonance around the world.

Meanwhile, the world remains shadowed by lingering notions of “civilizational superiority” and the “clash of civilizations,” a concept first introduced in 1992 by U.S. political scientist Samuel Huntington, who argued that people’s cultural and religious identities would become the primary source of conflict in the post-Cold War era. These recurring echoes of obsolete thinking are a reminder that old prejudices die hard.

We should all keep in mind that every nation has its own history, culture and social system, and that this diversity is a defining feature of civilizations. It is not our differences but our pride and prejudice that divide us.

By finding common ground amid differences and seeking solidarity through mutual respect as well as open dialogue, our diverse civilizations will not only shine all the more brightly but also come together to light the way toward a better future for all of humanity.

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SOURCE Beijing Review

LONDON, June 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — As part of its expanding global mission, the Vantage Foundation proudly participated in the UK-GCC Private Capital Alliance Summit 2025, supporting Vantage Connect’s sponsorship of the event while advancing its own goals of fostering sustainable social impact. Held on 28 May 2025, the summit provided a high-profile platform for dialogue and collaboration among institutional investors, family offices, and corporate leaders from both the UK and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) regions.

Vantage Foundation provided strategic support during the summit – reinforcing the idea that financial growth and social responsibility go hand in hand. The presence of the Foundation not only complemented Vantage Connect’s institutional initiatives but also amplified conversations around inclusive development and cross-border collaboration for good.

“Our participation at the UK-GCC Summit reflects our commitment to building long-term partnerships that deliver meaningful change,” said Steven Xie, Executive Director of the Vantage Foundation. “As we expand into the GCC region, we are focused on identifying shared goals with like-minded organisations that are passionate about empowering communities and shaping a more equitable future.”

During the summit, the Foundation engaged with corporates, NGOs, and philanthropic entities from across the GCC, exploring collaborative opportunities that align with regional goals for social innovation, youth empowerment, and sustainable development. The Foundation’s growing visibility in the Middle East marks a significant step in its global expansion journey, positioning it as a purpose-driven partner in the financial ecosystem.

With its participation in the UK-GCC Private Capital Alliance Summit, Vantage Foundation has taken another strong step toward its vision of leveraging financial networks to create positive, lasting change.

About Vantage Foundation

Vantage Foundation is an independent charitable organization launched at the McLaren Technology Centre in the UK in 2023. The foundation has partnered with organisations worldwide, including Grab Indonesia, the iREDE Foundation in Nigeria, Teach For Malaysia, and Instituto Claret in Brazil, to drive impactful social initiatives.

For more information, please visit www.vantage.foundation

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SOURCE Vantage Foundation

LONDON, June 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Vantage Foundation is proud to support The Habbit Factory, a London-based charity that uses the power of theatre and creativity to help children build self-confidence, resilience, and a sense of self-expression. This partnership reflects Vantage Foundation’s commitment to community engagement and inclusive empowerment for young people – especially those from underserved or disadvantaged backgrounds.

The Habbit Factory has been a champion of creative youth development for over 20 years. With a focus on inclusiveness and emotional support, the organisation designs theatre-based programmes for children and teens to improve public speaking, storytelling, and personal confidence. Today, the charity supports 156 young people through its membership programme and reaches hundreds more through school outreach and education partnerships.

As part of its continued mission to uplift communities, Vantage Foundation volunteers joined The Habbit Factory’s creative workshop, lending their time and energy to inspire the next generation. Among them was Ben Joseph, who brought his background in dance and performing arts to the session.

“Many of these children come from disadvantaged backgrounds and may lack self-esteem or confidence,” said Ben Joseph. “By earning their trust and creating a supportive space, we help them grow, express themselves, and discover who they are. The Habbit Factory is a safe and empowering place for every child, and I’m proud to have contributed to something so meaningful.”

The charity’s impact is driven largely by volunteers – many of whom are former participants who return to give back. This cycle of mentorship and transformation lies at the heart of The Habbit Factory’s enduring success.

“We thoroughly enjoyed hosting the Vantage Foundation at The Habbit Factory. It was a meaningful opportunity for both teams to connect, share ideas, and learn from each other’s approaches to community impact,” said Lee Giles, Artistic Director & CEO of The Habbit Factory.

“Supporting The Habbit Factory aligns deeply with our mission at Vantage Foundation,” said Steven Xie, Executive Director of the Vantage Foundation. “We believe in building confidence through creativity and connection. Seeing our volunteers actively participate in such a powerful, community-led initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating meaningful impact in the lives of young people.”

Together, Vantage Foundation and The Habbit Factory demonstrate the incredible potential of partnerships rooted in compassion, creativity, and shared purpose. Through this collaboration, they aim to build a future where every child has not only the voice – but also the confidence – to use it.

Vantage Foundation

Vantage Foundation is an independent charitable organization launched at the McLaren Technology Centre in the UK in 2023. The foundation has partnered with organisations worldwide, including Grab Indonesia, the iREDE Foundation in Nigeria, Teach for Malaysia, and Instituto Claret in Brazil, to drive impactful social initiatives.

For more information, please visit www.vantage.foundation

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SOURCE Vantage Foundation