Developing the Pan African Movement Network
We originally formed in 2024 as an ‘Oversight Committee’ to address the defects of the heritage plaque dedicated to the 5th Pan African Congress held in Manchester in 1945. However, our interests have since evolved significantly beyond this role. Led by Paul Okojie (Manchester) in collaboration with committed Pan Africanists and allies, our plans and proposals currently include:
- Collaborating with MMU on re-siting a new commemorative plaque for the 1945 Pan African Congress, accompanied by an educative interactive digital installation, as a ‘co-production’ project.
- Integrating decolonising principles and contributions within the narrative and creative processes to produce the content and aesthetics for the interactive installation.
- Aiming for PAMN to become the central hub for the 5th PAC documents, reports, memorabilia, and other collections, regardless of their location.
- To utilise the work of W.E.B. Du Bois, Mame Fatou Niang, Paul Gilroy, Marimba Ani, Frantz Fanon, Laila Lalami, Angela Davis, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o in reclaiming our history.
- Establishing an online presence.
- Raising funds for future initiatives.
- Developing a self-guided Pan African Trail which includes the Digital Plaque locality.
- Organising an international colloquium that attracts scholars and activists to Manchester.
- Developing a major public art commission relating to the 1945 PAC, its resolutions and its aims.
- Exploring the potential for a Pan African Garden within All Saints Park, in collaboration with Manchester City Council.
- Collaborating with Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester Histories, Manchester City Council and others.
- Strengthening community involvement as the project develops beyond the plaque.