"There is one world and one human race. It means that we are “our brother’s keeper”. We are responsible for one another and we must be interested and ready to learn from one another. The World Reimagined seeks to educate one another about the journeys we have been on and how we come to be in the places we are. It invites us to come on a journey. A journey where ‘my story becomes your story, and your story, my story.’ With both our stories we will reimagine a world where there is mutual respect and dignity."
"In South Africa we know how important it is to try and reconcile our history and experiences. The only way to truly walk together towards a united future is to understand each other’s journeys. Dialogue, understanding and compassion lead to actions that can change our world for the better, for all. And so I am heartened by The World Reimagined. Its topic may be the past, but its mission is a future for our children built on the foundation and for the realisation of human dignity."
"It has taken a lot of looking back over my life to realise how many gaps there are in what is taught in schools about British history - and how connected that is to the question I've been asked all my life: 'Where are you from?' My history is intertwined with British history because what happened in the past is the reason I am here. The World Reimagined will allow people to have an honest, respectful and empathetic conversation, one that addesses the past but looks towards our future. I am so proud to be a part of it. "
"Having grown up in Southall during the riots, I have witnessed what can happen when communities are fractured. During my school years and into my career as an actor and writer, I have experienced the power of art and education to create understanding of self and others. The World Reimagined will open this opportunity for growth and understanding to everyone across the UK. Together we can create a future that recognises strength in diversity and power in truth."
"We are our history. If we are not taught ALL of our history, we cannot hope to know who we are or understand our reality. The World Reimagined will shine a blinding light into the dark corners of ignorance with life affirming brilliance. I'm proud to be involved in a project that will yield positive results for us all."
"I am part of The World Reimagined because I want to help give a voice to the many millions silenced, many of whom are my own ancestors, and yours too. How do I honour them? How can we honour them? I want to bring to life our triumphs, not just our traumas, in a way the world has never seen before, through the human element that connects us all, the emotion through creation. "
"A dear friend, who sacrificed much of his life for a free South Africa, once told me that what we understand about the world drives who we are, what we do and how we treat each other, every day. For me, The World Reimagined is essential because it seeks to build a more accurate and multi-dimensional understanding or our shared history than we have been told before. With it, we have the opportunity to acknowledge so much pain; to honour those who lived; and to act from love, compassion and respect for one another. In short - to create a society and country worthy of the best of its wonderful people."
"In order to evolve, we must know and acknowledge our past. The World Reimagined offers a way to constructively explore and recognise our relationships to the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Let's use this powerful project to help create an equitable and inclusive pathway forward for generations to come. "
"History teaches us the lesson that the capacity for unspeakable brutality towards innocent people is not reserved to one nationality, or to one particular time in history The World Reimagined will offer a fantastic opportunity for all of us to develop a true understanding of our history and of the lasting scars that Britain’s role in the transatlantic slave trade has inflicted on the world. That shared understanding will help us to create a brighter future built on much sturdier foundations of truth and recognition."
"I fully identify with the scope and scale of ‘The World Reimagined’ initiative, because I totally subscribe to the understanding that education is a key towards fostering mutual understanding amongst people, to build bridges instead of barriers. It is essential to get the balance right as a form of sustainable engagement, especially when dealing with a very emotive issue like the impact of The Transatlantic Slave Trade’. Therefore I am extremely delighted to be an Ambassador for such a worthy cause."
" 'Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter' (Nigerian Proverb) As a child at school it felt that the British history at home differed greatly to the history I learned in class. Stories matter. History matters. Truth matters. re-education matters. I'm proud to play a part in re-telling inaccurate national stories and challenging comfortable inherited truths. Those long gone deserve to have their lives researched, remembered and respected. "
"The World is being Reimagined before our very eyes right now. Never has there been such desire to understand the unrelenting evil of perpetual racism - as at this moment. Our hope is to keep alight the true story of amazingly strong and dignified women and men of colour who came to bring their joy and service - and now their leadership - to shape our nation for good. We face forward to black futures in the knowledge of black history to build communities of harmony and hope. #BLACKLIVESMATTER "
"I always say ‘Childhood Lasts a Lifetime’ so as we grow up, the stories we are told shape how we see the world, how we build relationships with one another and how we feel about the future. I’m delighted to support The World Reimagined because it uses art, education and creativity to shine a light on the stories that we need to understand if we’re going to be able to create that future of the justice and dignity we all dream of for our children. It may be a journey of discovery with uncomfortable moments, but once travelled represents the opportunity for us as a society to create harmony and joy, together."
"Art can enable an honest, open dialogue about the trans-Atlantic trade in enslaved Africans and its impact on all our lives across time to the present day. The World Reimagined will help us to engage in this important conversation without which we cannot make progress in combatting racism."
"History indelibly binds us to one another and shapes our ability to positively grow as individuals and as a people. The sooner we have a stronger, collective and truthful grasp of it - moving away from ignorance - the sooner we can unite to create a better, more equitable future for everyone. I'm proud to be ambassador for a project committed to that end, expounding a vital Education from Art. "
The World Reimagined has been in development since 2019 by a growing family of people get involved. We approach our task with humility, conscious of the responsibility of doing justice to the history and all of the lives it represents. We hope to work with the many people and organisations who have done and are doing powerful work for racial justice, building on their expertise, experience and perspective. The World Reimagined will be a platform that serves to honour, celebrate and share that work in a new way and will work with a development methodology that prioritises open, respectful collaboration. The World Reimagined is a not-for-profit company (#12501914). We are a charitable project and restricted fund under the auspices of Prism The Gift Fund (www.prismthegiftfund.co.uk; charity #1099682).
The Board are particularly grateful to our advisers and consultants to the Board, who have given their expertise and time so generously to the Board: Jeff Boardman Sarah Greaves Gordon Hagan Dej Mahoney
The World Reimagined is a not-for-profit company (#12501914). We are a charitable project and restricted fund under the auspices of Prism The Gift Fund (www.prismthegiftfund.co.uk; charity #1099682).
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