Ethio-Africa Diaspora Union Millennium Council Report Millennium Council Report. The Ethio-Africa Diaspora Union Millennium Council was formulated and established in June 2007 at the Haile Selassie I High School as an interim Rastafari All-Mansion Government. Thirteen Rastafari Mansions/Organizations came together to manifest the command given by His Imperial Majesty that I&I must organize centralize and be one. Rastafari mansions/organizations that were represented were: (1) The Ancient Nyahbinghi Order (2) The Ethiopia Africa Black International Congress (Bobo Shanti) (3) The Twelve Tribes of Israel (4) The Haile Selassie I School of Vision (5) The Royal Ethiopian Judah Coptic Church (6) The Ethiopian Orthodox Church (7) The International Peace Makers (8) The Ethiopian World Federation (9) The Leonard P. Howell Foundation (10) The Haile Selassie I Theocracy Government (11) The Dreaded Nyahbinghi (12) Camp David and (13) The Rastafari Centralization Organization (RCO). Millennium Council Vision To speak with one voice for all those that professes the Rastafari Faith, in order to protect and preserve the sacred legacy of the Rastafari nation worldwide. Millennium Council Objectives (1) To ensure effective governance and co-operation between all the Houses and Mansions that make up the Rastafari nation in Jamaica, as well as worldwide, in order that it shall represent the Rastafari nation of the world, in a united Theocratic Government. (2)To advocate and negotiate with appropriate bodies in order to further the interests of the Rastafari communities, in matters of Repatriation, Reparations, Cultural Heritage projects, Human Rights and Welfare, Intellectual Property and the like. (3) To secure, protect and manage the intellectual property of the Rastafari community worldwide, for the benefit of the Rastafari community worldwide (4) To provide support and empowerment to all Rastafari members and Rastafari mansions and organizations in the practice and furtherance of their living faith. (5) To form productive working alliances with all organizations that are able to assist the Millennium Council with the fulfillment of its objectives. (6) To serve as a communication, resource and information centre for all Rastafari communities, in Jamaica, the Caribbean, the United States of America, Africa, Europe, worldwide. (7) To raise and manage funds in order to better achieve all the Millennium Council’s objectives and serve the Rastafari nation. The Council’s very first task was to register the Council legally in Jamaica and to invite the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), South African Lawyer Roger Chennels and other Lawyers to edify the Council on the intellectual Property Rights of Rastafari as an indigenous culture. As a result of that process in July 2007 Mr. Chennells made several recommendations as to how to structure an All-Mansion Council and how to manage Rastafari intellectual property rights enforcement. He advised the Council to implement a legal structure that would be accountable to represent the Rastafari issues in a transparent way, which was accomplished on November 21, 2007 when the Millennium Council was legally registered under the Companies Act in Jamaica. He also prepared a draft Constitution for the Council which, after much deliberation and widespread consultations within the Council membership, is in final draft now, ready for All-Mansion ratification. An Intellectual Property Committee was established to follow up with WIPO and the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO). Also in July 2007, the Pan Afrikan Movement held a Summit at UWI at which the Council represented Rastafari concerns. Queen Mother Moses representing the Millennium Council raised the issue of Repatriation at a special select committee on Reparations for slavery which met at Gordon House on July 18, 2007. The Council then agitated and manifested an Emancipation Rally at Emancipation Square in Spanish Town, sensitizing the community on its collective focus for the upcoming New Millennium. Further sensitizing was done for Marcus Garvey’s Earthstrong at Liberty Hall with various presentations and speeches in anticipation of the New Millennium and a march to the Emancipation Park. The Council subsequently held a press conference at the Hilton Hotel. Then for the new Ethiopian Millennium September 11, 2007 the Council organized a motorcade from Scotts Pass Nyahbinghi Center to Halfway Tree, Mandela Park for an All-Mansion presentation and celebration which was videotaped. In October 2007, on very short notice and preparation, the Council was represented in Barbados at an AU summit by the Chairman Ras Junior Manning and our International Consultant Sister Maxine Stowe. This initial AU contact requires further follow up with the South African Ambassador. The Council was subsequently informed that the Smithsonian Institute in Washington was about to open an exhibit on Rastafari authorized by an Advisory Committee of Rases. The Council with some assistance from the Government and the Smithsonian Institute, made its appearance with 21 delegates at the exhibit on time to declare the Intellectual Property Rights of Rastafari to which the Council is accountable for. It was agreed with the Smithsonian and the Curator of the Exhibit, Jakes Homiak, that after two years of display in the Smithsonian Museum, the exhibit will be turned over to the Millennium Council on behalf of the Rastafari nation, who will be responsible to ship and house it in Jamaica. In order to facilitate this exhibit the Council has met with the Tourism Product Development Corporation (TPDCo) and the Jamaica National Heritage Trust in regard to the development of Pinnacle as a Rastafari Heritage Site and Cultural Centre in Jamaica, to house the Exhibit. This has also led to the Council making representations to the Government of Jamaica to assist Rastafari to save Pinnacle from being lost through the pending Court case by the registered owners of the Pinnacle certificate of title. On March 3, 2008 the Council was ratified from an interim body to the Rastafari All-Mansion Statical Government with the following Members: Ancient Council: Bongo Tawney, Binghi Ken, Bongo Shephan, Bongo Daniel, Binghi Irie Lion, Priest George Latty, Bongo Wake I, Priest Sugar , Priest Trevor Bro. Samuel Clayton, Bro. Philbert Alvaranga, Ras Da Silva, Bro. Tim Poiser, Bongo Daws, Bongo Roy, Dawta Ma Shanty, Dawta Drummond, Dawta Yanzie Executive: Chairman………….. ………………….. Ras Junior Manning Vice Chair………………………………..Ras Jinga 2nd ViceChair……………………………..Brother Brisset General Secretary…………………………Ras Howie Assist. Secretary…………………………..Ras Jr. Negus Co Assist………………………………….Dawta Africa Thompson Treasurer………………………… ……….Bobo Greg Co Treasurer……………………………….Dawta Pat Asst. Treasurer…………………………….Priest Fagan PRO…………………………………………Ras Sangie PRO Assist…………………………………Ras Garth Admin. Executive…………………………..Ras Sela Admin. Executive…………………………..Ras Kremlin Admin. Executive………………………….Priest Allan Admin. Executive………………………….Dawta Dawn Admin. Executive………………………… Dawta Iyana International Consultant……… ……………Dawta Maxine Stowe Global International Coordinator…… ………Ras Sizzla Kalonji Team of Lawyers: Bro. Marcus Goffe, Bro. Miguel Lorne, Sis. Sandra Alcott, Ras Kwasi, Bro. George Rose Not all ones ratified in their individual posts have been active, as the Council has had financial constraints to assist ones to attend all meetings. However the activities of the Council have been organized by core Executive members and supported by the wider executive and member mansions/organizations. The work of the Millennium Council Executive has also been readily supported by the Rastafari Youth Initiative Council, formed as an affiliate youth arm of the Millennium Council. Additionally, Empress of Zion, IDOR (Iniversal Development of Rastafari) in Washington and Ras ESP McPherson of Rastafari National Council for Inity (RNCI-USA) in New York, have played important roles in the USA in support of the work of the Council. A Bank account was established for the Council at the Jamaica National account No. 10698301. Signatures to this account are Priest Dermot Fagan, Bobo Greg and and Sis. Pat; three signatures are required for any transaction. In April 2008 the Council co-hosted the visit of the President of the Ethiopian Crown Council His Imperial Highness Prince Ermias, where all mansions had a presentation with Him at the Livity Restaurant. There the Council presented a letter to Him in regards to Rastafari Intellectual Property rights and the Crown’s co-operation. This letter is still to be responded to. On June 16, 2008 the Council participated in the Leonard P. Howell Earthday celebration with the Rastafari Youth Initiative Council and assisted with the preparation of the Pinnacle grounds. The Council has attended various court sessions in regards to Pinnacle’s true ownership and the reservation of the site as a Rastafari Heritage site. The next court date will be on November 4th 2008 in Spanish Town. The Council partnered in the preparation of the Nyahbinghi Global Consultation on July 22 to 29, and Ras Jr. Negus was given the opportunity to make a presentation on behalf of the Council to the Nyahbinghi Global family on the opening day of the Consultation. The Council had planned an Expo for August 1st with a national summit right in line with the Nyahbinghi consultation, but this fell short because of the lack of Governmental and other financial support. It was therefore scaled down to an Emancipation Rally in Emancipation Square, Spanish Town. This basically brought us to the ending of the first year of the new Millennium. On September 11, 2008 the Council gathered at the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, Maxfield Avenue, for a unification of all Mansions in support of Priest Malekot and his congregation. Priest Malekot’s care and concern in mending any blemish the church may have instigated through bad administration towards Rastafari Family, has been noted. The Nyahbinghi, the Bobo Shanti, the Royal Judah Coptic Church, the School of Vision, EWF and everyone came together, with chant and one harmonious Millennium Unification. It marked a historic gathering, further breaking down the barriers to Rastafari Inity. REPARATIONS & REPATRIATION The Millennium Council has made submissions to the Jamaica Bicentenary Committee and the Jamaica Reparations Movement, as well as to the Government of Jamaica on the critical issue of Reparations & Repatriation, especially in light of the CARICOM negotiations with the African Union regarding the AU’s 6th Region, which will for the first time more fully seek to integrate the African diaspora into the African continent. The African Union at present is moving quickly to integrate I&I Africans in the diaspora and therefore Rastafari representation at the AU is critical to implementing a proper process of repatriation, as well as co-ordinating African claims for reparations for slavery. Follow-up meetings with the South African High Commission, which is representing the AU here in Jamaica, will continue. RECLAMATION & RESTORATION OF PINNACLE The Millennium Council has been in dialogue with several agencies of the Government of Jamaica with a view to partnering with the Government to reclaim and restore Pinnacle, the first Rastafari Village and home of the first Rasta Leonard Howell, to its historical glory as a centre of Rastafari livity, culture and community. The Restoration of Pinnacle is central to the establishment of a Rastafari Cultural Heritage Centre where the Rastafari Community will be able to house our Rastafari archives, including those presently housed at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC, as well as in other museums around the world. This will represent the first such Rastafari Cultural Heritage Centre in Jamaica. RASTAFARI VILLAGE CONCEPT MANAGEMENT As a result of the Millennium Council’s activism in relation to having Pinnacle recognized and protected as a Rastafari Heritage Centre and First Rastafari Village, then concept of a Rastafari Village has been recognized by the Government of Jamaica as a legitimate aspiration of Rastafari. This has manifested in several ways including the development and establishment of a ‘Rastafari Indigenous Village’ in Montego Bay by IION Station Rases. As this is a concept that potentially can accrue considerable financial benefit for the Rastafari community if managed properly by the community, as well as cause significant misunderstanding and misappropriation of Rastafari culture, the Council has initiated contact with IION Station to solidify our collaboration, so as to bring most benefit to Rastafari as a whole through the Rastafari Village concept management. This will also involve substantially the use and protection of Rastafari intellectual property strategies to authenticate the goods and services being displayed and sold, with part proceeds reverting to the Rastafari collective through a Rastafari Trust Fund. RASTAFARI INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY & CULTURAL HERITAGE In August 2008 the Council met with Jakes Homiak in a forum at UWI to discuss the options of moving the Exhibit from the Smithsonian on time, so as to prevent the Smithsonian from closing it down in storage, if we are unable to move it on time. He proposed to assist the Council write a proposal to UNESCO for funding to facilitate the transporting and maintenance of the Exhibit. Additionally, the Council is spearheading a microfilm project proposed by Jakes Homiak whereby several original and out-of-print early Rastafari magazines and publications are to be digitized, compiled and sold, with all profits reverting to a Rastafari Trust Fund to be administered by the Millennium Council for the benefit of all Rastafari. Presently the Council is recognized and registered with WIPO and will be attending biannual meetings starting next year. The Council will be facilitated by WIPO to attend these forums to defend and stake a claim that will be beneficial to all Rastafari. This year from the 13th to the 17th of October, the Council’s legal advisor (Ras Marcus) as well as another member of the Intellectual Property Committee, Queen Mother Moses (International Rastafari Ambassador and President of Empress of Zion), will be attending a WIPO Forum in Geneva at their own expense, to represent the Council and Rastafari towards co-ordinating efforts to halt the unauthorized use and exploitation of Rastafari imagery and cultural symbols internationally. In the first phase, this initiative will see the actualization of Rastafari trade and collective marks through JIPO in Jamaica, which will be able to be applied to genuine Rastafari products and services, thereby boosting the market for such genuine products and decreasing the instances of fake Rastafari products being proliferated in local and international market places. Further WIPO and JIPO co-operation in Jamaica will sensitize ones that they cannot just use Rastafari words and images without authorization from the Rastafari collective and appropriate agreements in place to ensure the wider Rastafari community benefits economically from any such authorized commercial use of Rastafari words and imagery. CONSTITUTION The Constitution proposed by the Millennium Council for the Rastafari Nation, and its by-laws is to guarantee effective, orderly, accountable, transparent and the responsible functioning of the Council. This constitution will be introduced to all Rastafari Mansions/Organizations for ratification, to be signed by the founding members of the Millennium Council. Once the Constitution and By-laws are ratified, which we hope to complete by January 2009, the nominations and elections process as laid down in those founding documents can be begun, to pave the way for Executive Elections in March 2009 to further broaden the participation and involvement of the mansions/organizations in the several tasks at hand which at present are being executed by the few core active Executive members. INDIGENOUS RIGHTS NGO One of the fundamental aims of the administration of the first Executive 2008-09, is to implement the recommendation of the South African indigenous rights lawyer Roger Chennells, to establish an Indigenous Rights NGO, separate from the Millennium Council, to support the Millennium Council as well as the Maroon Federation, to defend our intellectual property and indigenous people’s rights, by preparing proposals to various national and international funding agencies to acquire the necessary financing to fund the administration and the several projects being focused. Additionally the NGO will undertake vigorous lobbying of the Government of Jamaica and other national governments and international organizations to change and/or amend laws to protect indigenous rights and cultural heritage. This we hope to have registered and operational by January 2009. THE INTERNATIONAL RASTAFARI LEGAL TEAM The International Rastafari Legal Team initially convened by the Millennium Council has been having regular teleconferences and will also be formalized into a specialized legal international NGO both in Jamaica and in the USA and will act as legal experts for the Rastafari nation in all areas requiring legal representation, including human rights, representation in court, prison rights, constitutional matters, reparations and repatriation and intellectual property. This will further strengthen the Rastafari nation to achieve its objectives with legal expertise and the enforcement of the rule of law for the benefit of Rastafari globally. WHAT WE ASK THE MEMBER MANSIONS/ORGANIZATIONS TO DO (1) As the Millennium Council is the only registered All-Mansion Rastafari Council that is in existence, we need the Mansions to send representatives regularly to meetings, so that the wider Rastafari communities, in Jamaica and internationally, can be kept informed as to the ongoing progress of the several initiatives. (2) The Mansions should ratify the Constitution and By-laws as soon as possible, as these will guide the functioning and operations of the Council, ensuring accountability and transparency in the best interest of the community, and hopefully reduce the tension and occasional skepticism which has plagued the Rastafari nation in the past and prevented urgently needed Inity to move the Rastafari nation forward. (3) In relation to Reparations & Repatriation, several initiatives have been organized by the individual Mansions, resulting in there being a considerable-sized All-Mansion community in Shashamane which needs to be integrated and supported by the Mansions and the Council. The lessons learned from individual Mansions’ experiences of repatriation need to be collected and studied by the Millennium Council so as to formulate a cohesive and sustainable policy to put forward to the AU for their financial and logistical support. (4) Each of the mansions that have communities overseas, in the Caribbean, USA, Europe and Africa, should provide contact details for those communities, so that the Council can make contact and learn about their experiences and needs, as well as keep them informed of Council activities. This is needed to integrate Rastafari globally and expand the Council to a Global All-Mansion Rastafari Council. (5) As it relates to intellectual property rights, the process requires each member Mansion/Organization to present their particular symbols and logos for which they require protection, including flags, signs, emblems and designs. In this way those flags and symbols will only be able to be used commercially with the consent of the Mansion/Organization and/or the Millennium Council. This includes their use in Rastafari Villages. Additionally, the Council will need help in sensitizing and registering Rastafari artists, sculptors and craftmakers to use the Rastafari genuine trademarks, once they are registered. It is only by truly ORGANIZING & CENTRALIZING that I&I can ever really expect to achieve I&I goals. A chain is as strong as its weakest link. United we stand, divided we fall. There is nothing to be gained by undermining or shying away from the All-Mansion process. The fragmentation of Rastafari has been one of the main reasons the Rastafari nation has not been able to enforce its rights in Jamaica and internationally. We need to learn from our past, so as not to make the same mistakes in the future. One Rastafari, One Aim, One Destiny!!! EADUMC Secretariat October 1, 2008 Ethio-Africa Diaspora Union Millennium Council Jamaica Afro-Centric Commission 121 Windward Road Kingston 2, Jamaica W.I. 876-498-5818 EthioAfricaMillennium2000@gmail.com Ethio-Africa Diaspora Union Millennium Council Report Millennium Council Report. The Ethio-Africa Diaspora Union Millennium Council was formulated and established in June 2007 at the Haile Selassie I High School as an interim Rastafari All-Mansion Government. Thirteen Rastafari Mansions/Organizations came together to manifest the command given by His Imperial Majesty that I&I must organize centralize and be one. Rastafari mansions/organizations that were represented were: (1) The Ancient Nyahbinghi Order (2) The Ethiopia Africa Black International Congress (Bobo Shanti) (3) The Twelve Tribes of Israel (4) The Haile Selassie I School of Vision (5) The Royal Ethiopian Judah Coptic Church (6) The Ethiopian Orthodox Church (7) The International Peace Makers (8) The Ethiopian World Federation (9) The Leonard P. Howell Foundation (10) The Haile Selassie I Theocracy Government (11) The Dreaded Nyahbinghi (12) Camp David and (13) The Rastafari Centralization Organization (RCO). Millennium Council Vision To speak with one voice for all those that professes the Rastafari Faith, in order to protect and preserve the sacred legacy of the Rastafari nation worldwide. Millennium Council Objectives (1) To ensure effective governance and co-operation between all the Houses and Mansions that make up the Rastafari nation in Jamaica, as well as worldwide, in order that it shall represent the Rastafari nation of the world, in a united Theocratic Government. (2)To advocate and negotiate with appropriate bodies in order to further the interests of the Rastafari communities, in matters of Repatriation, Reparations, Cultural Heritage projects, Human Rights and Welfare, Intellectual Property and the like. (3) To secure, protect and manage the intellectual property of the Rastafari community worldwide, for the benefit of the Rastafari community worldwide (4) To provide support and empowerment to all Rastafari members and Rastafari mansions and organizations in the practice and furtherance of their living faith. (5) To form productive working alliances with all organizations that are able to assist the Millennium Council with the fulfillment of its objectives. (6) To serve as a communication, resource and information centre for all Rastafari communities, in Jamaica, the Caribbean, the United States of America, Africa, Europe, worldwide. (7) To raise and manage funds in order to better achieve all the Millennium Council’s objectives and serve the Rastafari nation. The Council’s very first task was to register the Council legally in Jamaica and to invite the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), South African Lawyer Roger Chennels and other Lawyers to edify the Council on the intellectual Property Rights of Rastafari as an indigenous culture. As a result of that process in July 2007 Mr. Chennells made several recommendations as to how to structure an All-Mansion Council and how to manage Rastafari intellectual property rights enforcement. He advised the Council to implement a legal structure that would be accountable to represent the Rastafari issues in a transparent way, which was accomplished on November 21, 2007 when the Millennium Council was legally registered under the Companies Act in Jamaica. He also prepared a draft Constitution for the Council which, after much deliberation and widespread consultations within the Council membership, is in final draft now, ready for All-Mansion ratification. An Intellectual Property Committee was established to follow up with WIPO and the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO). Also in July 2007, the Pan Afrikan Movement held a Summit at UWI at which the Council represented Rastafari concerns. Queen Mother Moses representing the Millennium Council raised the issue of Repatriation at a special select committee on Reparations for slavery which met at Gordon House on July 18, 2007. The Council then agitated and manifested an Emancipation Rally at Emancipation Square in Spanish Town, sensitizing the community on its collective focus for the upcoming New Millennium. Further sensitizing was done for Marcus Garvey’s Earthstrong at Liberty Hall with various presentations and speeches in anticipation of the New Millennium and a march to the Emancipation Park. The Council subsequently held a press conference at the Hilton Hotel. Then for the new Ethiopian Millennium September 11, 2007 the Council organized a motorcade from Scotts Pass Nyahbinghi Center to Halfway Tree, Mandela Park for an All-Mansion presentation and celebration which was videotaped. In October 2007, on very short notice and preparation, the Council was represented in Barbados at an AU summit by the Chairman Ras Junior Manning and our International Consultant Sister Maxine Stowe. This initial AU contact requires further follow up with the South African Ambassador. The Council was subsequently informed that the Smithsonian Institute in Washington was about to open an exhibit on Rastafari authorized by an Advisory Committee of Rases. The Council with some assistance from the Government and the Smithsonian Institute, made its appearance with 21 delegates at the exhibit on time to declare the Intellectual Property Rights of Rastafari to which the Council is accountable for. It was agreed with the Smithsonian and the Curator of the Exhibit, Jakes Homiak, that after two years of display in the Smithsonian Museum, the exhibit will be turned over to the Millennium Council on behalf of the Rastafari nation, who will be responsible to ship and house it in Jamaica. In order to facilitate this exhibit the Council has met with the Tourism Product Development Corporation (TPDCo) and the Jamaica National Heritage Trust in regard to the development of Pinnacle as a Rastafari Heritage Site and Cultural Centre in Jamaica, to house the Exhibit. This has also led to the Council making representations to the Government of Jamaica to assist Rastafari to save Pinnacle from being lost through the pending Court case by the registered owners of the Pinnacle certificate of title. On March 3, 2008 the Council was ratified from an interim body to the Rastafari All-Mansion Statical Government with the following Members: Ancient Council: Bongo Tawney, Binghi Ken, Bongo Shephan, Bongo Daniel, Binghi Irie Lion, Priest George Latty, Bongo Wake I, Priest Sugar , Priest Trevor Bro. Samuel Clayton, Bro. Philbert Alvaranga, Ras Da Silva, Bro. Tim Poiser, Bongo Daws, Bongo Roy, Dawta Ma Shanty, Dawta Drummond, Dawta Yanzie Executive: Chairman………….. ………………….. Ras Junior Manning Vice Chair………………………………..Ras Jinga 2nd ViceChair……………………………..Brother Brisset General Secretary…………………………Ras Howie Assist. Secretary…………………………..Ras Jr. Negus Co Assist………………………………….Dawta Africa Thompson Treasurer………………………… ……….Bobo Greg Co Treasurer……………………………….Dawta Pat Asst. Treasurer…………………………….Priest Fagan PRO…………………………………………Ras Sangie PRO Assist…………………………………Ras Garth Admin. Executive…………………………..Ras Sela Admin. Executive…………………………..Ras Kremlin Admin. Executive………………………….Priest Allan Admin. Executive………………………….Dawta Dawn Admin. Executive………………………… Dawta Iyana International Consultant……… ……………Dawta Maxine Stowe Global International Coordinator…… ………Ras Sizzla Kalonji Team of Lawyers: Bro. Marcus Goffe, Bro. Miguel Lorne, Sis. Sandra Alcott, Ras Kwasi, Bro. George Rose Not all ones ratified in their individual posts have been active, as the Council has had financial constraints to assist ones to attend all meetings. However the activities of the Council have been organized by core Executive members and supported by the wider executive and member mansions/organizations. The work of the Millennium Council Executive has also been readily supported by the Rastafari Youth Initiative Council, formed as an affiliate youth arm of the Millennium Council. Additionally, Empress of Zion, IDOR (Iniversal Development of Rastafari) in Washington and Ras ESP McPherson of Rastafari National Council for Inity (RNCI-USA) in New York, have played important roles in the USA in support of the work of the Council. A Bank account was established for the Council at the Jamaica National account No. 10698301. Signatures to this account are Priest Dermot Fagan, Bobo Greg and and Sis. Pat; three signatures are required for any transaction. In April 2008 the Council co-hosted the visit of the President of the Ethiopian Crown Council His Imperial Highness Prince Ermias, where all mansions had a presentation with Him at the Livity Restaurant. There the Council presented a letter to Him in regards to Rastafari Intellectual Property rights and the Crown’s co-operation. This letter is still to be responded to. On June 16, 2008 the Council participated in the Leonard P. Howell Earthday celebration with the Rastafari Youth Initiative Council and assisted with the preparation of the Pinnacle grounds. The Council has attended various court sessions in regards to Pinnacle’s true ownership and the reservation of the site as a Rastafari Heritage site. The next court date will be on November 4th 2008 in Spanish Town. The Council partnered in the preparation of the Nyahbinghi Global Consultation on July 22 to 29, and Ras Jr. Negus was given the opportunity to make a presentation on behalf of the Council to the Nyahbinghi Global family on the opening day of the Consultation. The Council had planned an Expo for August 1st with a national summit right in line with the Nyahbinghi consultation, but this fell short because of the lack of Governmental and other financial support. It was therefore scaled down to an Emancipation Rally in Emancipation Square, Spanish Town. This basically brought us to the ending of the first year of the new Millennium. On September 11, 2008 the Council gathered at the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, Maxfield Avenue, for a unification of all Mansions in support of Priest Malekot and his congregation. Priest Malekot’s care and concern in mending any blemish the church may have instigated through bad administration towards Rastafari Family, has been noted. The Nyahbinghi, the Bobo Shanti, the Royal Judah Coptic Church, the School of Vision, EWF and everyone came together, with chant and one harmonious Millennium Unification. It marked a historic gathering, further breaking down the barriers to Rastafari Inity. REPARATIONS & REPATRIATION The Millennium Council has made submissions to the Jamaica Bicentenary Committee and the Jamaica Reparations Movement, as well as to the Government of Jamaica on the critical issue of Reparations & Repatriation, especially in light of the CARICOM negotiations with the African Union regarding the AU’s 6th Region, which will for the first time more fully seek to integrate the African diaspora into the African continent. The African Union at present is moving quickly to integrate I&I Africans in the diaspora and therefore Rastafari representation at the AU is critical to implementing a proper process of repatriation, as well as co-ordinating African claims for reparations for slavery. Follow-up meetings with the South African High Commission, which is representing the AU here in Jamaica, will continue. RECLAMATION & RESTORATION OF PINNACLE The Millennium Council has been in dialogue with several agencies of the Government of Jamaica with a view to partnering with the Government to reclaim and restore Pinnacle, the first Rastafari Village and home of the first Rasta Leonard Howell, to its historical glory as a centre of Rastafari livity, culture and community. The Restoration of Pinnacle is central to the establishment of a Rastafari Cultural Heritage Centre where the Rastafari Community will be able to house our Rastafari archives, including those presently housed at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC, as well as in other museums around the world. This will represent the first such Rastafari Cultural Heritage Centre in Jamaica. RASTAFARI VILLAGE CONCEPT MANAGEMENT As a result of the Millennium Council’s activism in relation to having Pinnacle recognized and protected as a Rastafari Heritage Centre and First Rastafari Village, then concept of a Rastafari Village has been recognized by the Government of Jamaica as a legitimate aspiration of Rastafari. This has manifested in several ways including the development and establishment of a ‘Rastafari Indigenous Village’ in Montego Bay by IION Station Rases. As this is a concept that potentially can accrue considerable financial benefit for the Rastafari community if managed properly by the community, as well as cause significant misunderstanding and misappropriation of Rastafari culture, the Council has initiated contact with IION Station to solidify our collaboration, so as to bring most benefit to Rastafari as a whole through the Rastafari Village concept management. This will also involve substantially the use and protection of Rastafari intellectual property strategies to authenticate the goods and services being displayed and sold, with part proceeds reverting to the Rastafari collective through a Rastafari Trust Fund. RASTAFARI INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY & CULTURAL HERITAGE In August 2008 the Council met with Jakes Homiak in a forum at UWI to discuss the options of moving the Exhibit from the Smithsonian on time, so as to prevent the Smithsonian from closing it down in storage, if we are unable to move it on time. He proposed to assist the Council write a proposal to UNESCO for funding to facilitate the transporting and maintenance of the Exhibit. Additionally, the Council is spearheading a microfilm project proposed by Jakes Homiak whereby several original and out-of-print early Rastafari magazines and publications are to be digitized, compiled and sold, with all profits reverting to a Rastafari Trust Fund to be administered by the Millennium Council for the benefit of all Rastafari. Presently the Council is recognized and registered with WIPO and will be attending biannual meetings starting next year. The Council will be facilitated by WIPO to attend these forums to defend and stake a claim that will be beneficial to all Rastafari. This year from the 13th to the 17th of October, the Council’s legal advisor (Ras Marcus) as well as another member of the Intellectual Property Committee, Queen Mother Moses (International Rastafari Ambassador and President of Empress of Zion), will be attending a WIPO Forum in Geneva at their own expense, to represent the Council and Rastafari towards co-ordinating efforts to halt the unauthorized use and exploitation of Rastafari imagery and cultural symbols internationally. In the first phase, this initiative will see the actualization of Rastafari trade and collective marks through JIPO in Jamaica, which will be able to be applied to genuine Rastafari products and services, thereby boosting the market for such genuine products and decreasing the instances of fake Rastafari products being proliferated in local and international market places. Further WIPO and JIPO co-operation in Jamaica will sensitize ones that they cannot just use Rastafari words and images without authorization from the Rastafari collective and appropriate agreements in place to ensure the wider Rastafari community benefits economically from any such authorized commercial use of Rastafari words and imagery. CONSTITUTION The Constitution proposed by the Millennium Council for the Rastafari Nation, and its by-laws is to guarantee effective, orderly, accountable, transparent and the responsible functioning of the Council. This constitution will be introduced to all Rastafari Mansions/Organizations for ratification, to be signed by the founding members of the Millennium Council. Once the Constitution and By-laws are ratified, which we hope to complete by January 2009, the nominations and elections process as laid down in those founding documents can be begun, to pave the way for Executive Elections in March 2009 to further broaden the participation and involvement of the mansions/organizations in the several tasks at hand which at present are being executed by the few core active Executive members. INDIGENOUS RIGHTS NGO One of the fundamental aims of the administration of the first Executive 2008-09, is to implement the recommendation of the South African indigenous rights lawyer Roger Chennells, to establish an Indigenous Rights NGO, separate from the Millennium Council, to support the Millennium Council as well as the Maroon Federation, to defend our intellectual property and indigenous people’s rights, by preparing proposals to various national and international funding agencies to acquire the necessary financing to fund the administration and the several projects being focused. Additionally the NGO will undertake vigorous lobbying of the Government of Jamaica and other national governments and international organizations to change and/or amend laws to protect indigenous rights and cultural heritage. This we hope to have registered and operational by January 2009. THE INTERNATIONAL RASTAFARI LEGAL TEAM The International Rastafari Legal Team initially convened by the Millennium Council has been having regular teleconferences and will also be formalized into a specialized legal international NGO both in Jamaica and in the USA and will act as legal experts for the Rastafari nation in all areas requiring legal representation, including human rights, representation in court, prison rights, constitutional matters, reparations and repatriation and intellectual property. This will further strengthen the Rastafari nation to achieve its objectives with legal expertise and the enforcement of the rule of law for the benefit of Rastafari globally. WHAT WE ASK THE MEMBER MANSIONS/ORGANIZATIONS TO DO (1) As the Millennium Council is the only registered All-Mansion Rastafari Council that is in existence, we need the Mansions to send representatives regularly to meetings, so that the wider Rastafari communities, in Jamaica and internationally, can be kept informed as to the ongoing progress of the several initiatives. (2) The Mansions should ratify the Constitution and By-laws as soon as possible, as these will guide the functioning and operations of the Council, ensuring accountability and transparency in the best interest of the community, and hopefully reduce the tension and occasional skepticism which has plagued the Rastafari nation in the past and prevented urgently needed Inity to move the Rastafari nation forward. (3) In relation to Reparations & Repatriation, several initiatives have been organized by the individual Mansions, resulting in there being a considerable-sized All-Mansion community in Shashamane which needs to be integrated and supported by the Mansions and the Council. The lessons learned from individual Mansions’ experiences of repatriation need to be collected and studied by the Millennium Council so as to formulate a cohesive and sustainable policy to put forward to the AU for their financial and logistical support. (4) Each of the mansions that have communities overseas, in the Caribbean, USA, Europe and Africa, should provide contact details for those communities, so that the Council can make contact and learn about their experiences and needs, as well as keep them informed of Council activities. This is needed to integrate Rastafari globally and expand the Council to a Global All-Mansion Rastafari Council. (5) As it relates to intellectual property rights, the process requires each member Mansion/Organization to present their particular symbols and logos for which they require protection, including flags, signs, emblems and designs. In this way those flags and symbols will only be able to be used commercially with the consent of the Mansion/Organization and/or the Millennium Council. This includes their use in Rastafari Villages. Additionally, the Council will need help in sensitizing and registering Rastafari artists, sculptors and craftmakers to use the Rastafari genuine trademarks, once they are registered. It is only by truly ORGANIZING & CENTRALIZING that I&I can ever really expect to achieve I&I goals. A chain is as strong as its weakest link. United we stand, divided we fall. There is nothing to be gained by undermining or shying away from the All-Mansion process. The fragmentation of Rastafari has been one of the main reasons the Rastafari nation has not been able to enforce its rights in Jamaica and internationally. We need to learn from our past, so as not to make the same mistakes in the future. One Rastafari, One Aim, One Destiny!!! EADUMC Secretariat October 1, 2008 Ethio-Africa Diaspora Union Millennium Council Jamaica Afro-Centric Commission 121 Windward Road Kingston 2, Jamaica W.I. 876-498-5818 EthioAfricaMillennium2000@gmail.com