30 October 2007
The first annual Family Restoration Conference will be held in the Gambia in June 2008, it has been announced.
Hosted by Slave Descendants Freedom Society and Diversity Restoration Solutions, the conference will include tours of Gambian cultural and historical sites and a series of seminars.
There will also be a Cultural Presentation Forum about the history of Africans in the Gambia and United States.
And attendees will have the chance to take part in a business investment and technology forum.
Eric Sheppard, president of Diversity Restoration Solutions and chair of the Slave Descendants Freedom Society, said the conference had the dual aim of providing the basis of knowledge for genealogical research and boosting trade links between the US and the Gambia.
He continued: "At the conference, we look forward to broadening awareness about the Gambia, a historically rich and economically productive country.
"The Family Restoration Conference will bring together a diverse mix of families, educators, diplomats and business executives from across the African diaspora for five days of engaging dialogue interweaved with informative seminars and entertaining tours."
Fortunate timing means that visitors will also have the chance to experience the Gambia's 9th International Roots Festival.