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Diane Recinos, EdD, President of Berkeley College, addressed the United Nations Africa Day delegation hosted by the African Renaissance and Diaspora Network (ARDN) on Wednesday, May 25, 2022. Recinos took the Red Card Pledge to end discrimination and violence against women and children around the world and expressed the important role of higher education in advancing women’s rights, youth empowerment and equity. “On Africa Day we reaffirm Berkeley College’s commitment as a global resource for educating students and raising awareness of how we can all make a difference in advancing women’s rights and the rights of youth, along with the progression of the African Renaissance and Diaspora Network,” said Recinos. Djibril Diallo, President and CEO of the African Renaissance and Diaspora Network, asked the delegation from Africa, New York City and around the world, to join together in a moment of silence “to do everything possible individually and collectively to make sure that the day of violence and discrimination against women and girls is a day to be erased from the face of this planet,” said Diallo. The 2022 Africa Day celebration was also dedicated to the youth of Africa. “The youth of Africa are not the leaders of tomorrow, they are the leaders of today,” said Diallo. The Continent of Africa is young – with 60 percent of its population under the age of 25. “Many students from Africa come to the United States to advance their education and economic mobility,” said Recinos. “Youth and young adults are Africa’s most valuable resources. Education is essential to empowering their futures and the future of Africa,” she added. More than 200 guests attended Africa Day at the United Nations. Diallo commended Recinos and Berkeley College Trustee Busie Matsiko-Andan for the College’s higher education mission and recognition of Africa Day and the African Diaspora. Matsiko-Andan is an advisor to ARDN. The event took place in the Trusteeship Council Chambers at the United Nations Headquarters in New York to celebrate the founding of the Organisation of African Unity on May 25, 1963. The Organisation of African Unity was the precursor to the African Union, a continental body made up of 55 member states on the Continent of Africa. Recinos’ remarks can be seen at: https://youtu.be/ab0IodUuDmg The full Africa Day event can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bLRcb1c3Js