The United Kingdom House of Lords hosted the inaugural World Reparations Conference (WRC) under the theme “Truth, Dignity, and Repair – For Generations to Come,” launched by the African Caribbean Sustainability & Investment Summit (ACSIS) on 29 September, 2025, to mark a bold step towards addressing historical injustices.
The landmark event gathered scholars, international advocates, parliamentarians, and descendants of enslavers to open a reparations dialogue on the legacies of slavery and colonialism. In his opening address, David F. Roberts, Chairman of ACSIS, set a compelling tone, asking, “How long must truth wait before it is met with justice?”
He highlighted that while global leaders, including King Charles, have acknowledged the profound suffering caused by slavery, such gestures remain incomplete without formal apologies or tangible restitution.
Mr. Roberts emphasized that the conference aimed to move beyond rhetoric, pushing for actionable steps toward reparative justice. The conference featured a robust lineup of speakers and panels. Baroness Verma, the event’s sponsor, delivered the opening welcome, rationalising the significance of hosting such discussions in the heart of the UK’s parliamentary system.
Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP provided insights into the UK’s role in advancing the reparations discourse, urging accountability for the nation’s historical involvement in slavery. A virtual presentation by Dr. K. Truthbey, a policy analyst from The Sixth Region, offered a global perspective on reparative frameworks.
Two key panels enriched the dialogue. The first, moderated by John Dower, included descendants of enslavers such as Catarina Demony, James Christie-Miller, and Paul Lashmar, who grappled with their ancestors’ roles in slavery and the responsibilities of their descendants today.
The second panel, led by Dr. R. David Muir, featured prominent reparations advocates, including Esther Xosei, Rev’d Ronald Nathan, and Claudia Webbe, who articulated the moral and practical imperatives of reparative justice.
Spotlight speakers, including Ibukun Adebayo, Priya Lukka, Joseph Harker, and Timi Okuwa, further amplified the conversation with their expertise and personal insights. Chris Desai served as the event’s moderator, ensuring a dynamic and focused discussion.
ACSIS, known for convening leaders, policymakers, and entrepreneurs to foster sustainability and inclusive growth across Africa and the Caribbean, framed the WRC as a pivotal platform for advancing reparative justice.
Speakers paid tribute to historical figures who championed equality, such as Marcus Garvey, Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, Steve Biko, and Bernie Grant.
They also recognized contemporary voices like Sir Hilary Beckles, Verene Shepherd, and Esther Stanford-Xosei, who continue to drive the global reparations movement. The conference highlighted the African Union and CARICOM frameworks as essential guides for reparations, emphasizing that reparations are not acts of charity but obligations rooted in justice.
These frameworks call for restitution, rehabilitation, and guarantees against the recurrence of such atrocities, providing a roadmap for governments and institutions worldwide.
The event concluded with a resounding call for collaboration, setting the stage for WRC 2026, where stakeholders will reconvene to assess progress and strengthen global partnerships for reparative justice.
“The World Reparations Conference is more than symbolic. It is a call to organize globally, align advocacy, and build reparations into the framework of international justice. The challenge before us is clear: to ensure reparations move beyond words into action, policy, and lives transformed,” said Mr. Roberts.
Organizers encouraged early registration for next year’s conference, with early bird tickets available until October 15, 2025, at africancaribbeansummit.com.
Written by Oral Ofori.
Oral Ofori is Founder and Publisher at www.TheAfricanDream.net, a digital storyteller and producer, and also an information and research consultant.
