Professor John Oldfield, Director of the Wilberforce Institute for the Study of Slavery and Emancipation at the University of Hull has paid tribute to Mr Kofi Annan, the former Secretary General of the United Nations.
He said: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Kofi Annan. He was one of the greatest freedom fighters not just of our day but of all time. His commitment to and compassion for the human rights cause were astounding. And will live long in the world’s memory.”
Professor Oldfield met Mr Annan when the leading diplomat delivered the annual Wilberforce Lecture in Hull as part of city’s Freedom Festival just short of a year ago. On behalf of the Wilberforce Lecture Trust, he also presented Mr Annan with the Wilberforce Medal, in honour of his outstanding contribution to human rights and democracy.
He said: “The year of Kofi’s visit marked the 210th anniversary of the British Slave Trade Abolition Act – a piece of legislation pioneered by Hull’s William Wilberforce MP. I was honoured to hear Mr Annan’s speech which was a powerful mediation on the meaning of freedom in the 21st century and a timely message that tackling slavery very much remains unfinished business in the world today.
Professor Oldfield met Mr Annan when the leading diplomat delivered the annual Wilberforce Lecture in Hull as part of city’s Freedom Festival just short of a year ago. On behalf of the Wilberforce Lecture Trust, he also presented Mr Annan with the Wilberforce Medal, in honour of his outstanding contribution to human rights and democracy.
He said: “The year of Kofi’s visit marked the 210th anniversary of the British Slave Trade Abolition Act – a piece of legislation pioneered by Hull’s William Wilberforce MP. I was honoured to hear Mr Annan’s speech which was a powerful mediation on the meaning of freedom in the 21st century and a timely message that tackling slavery very much remains unfinished business in the world today.
Mr Kofi Annan praised the work of the University of Hull’s Wilberforce Institute for the study of slavery and emancipation during his visit to the city last year.
A world-leading research centre working towards the end of labour exploitation and slavery worldwide, the Institute continues the pioneering work of one the city’s most famous sons, William Wilberforce MP. Through internationally recognised research and practice, the Institute gives leaders and communities the tools they need to inform policy and practices to help end labour exploitation and slavery worldwide.