Under the initiative of the Africa Department, the second edition for the celebration of International Albinism Awareness Day took place Monday 13^th June at the UNESCO Headquarters, in the presence of His Excellency Mr. Jacques Kabale, Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of Rwanda to UNESCO and President of the African Group, Mr Firmin Edouard Matoko, Assistant Director-General for Africa, Ms Béatrice Garrette, Director General of Pierre Fabre Foundation , and Mr Peter Ash, Founding President of the Canadian NGO Under the Same Sun.

As underlined by Mr Firmin Edouard Matoko, Assistant Director-General for Africa, it is in response to the appeal by the United Nations General Assembly that UNESCO decided to commemorate this day with the aim of making the general public aware of the discrimination and stigmatisation that those with albinism face.

The opening ceremony of the International Albinism Awareness Day began at 2pm, and was followed by an international conference based around two panels. Speakers from the world of medicine, the sciences and from the civil society honoured us with their presence.

During the first section, scientists gave an overview of the current knowledge concerning this autosomal recessive disorder notably causing a deficiency in the production of melanin, where the challenges are made worse through ignorance and poverty.

In the second part, the conference welcomed a panel of associations fighting issues surrounding albinism. This part took place in the form of an open debate entitled: “Everyday Albinism”. The following stakeholders took the floor: ANIDA, SACRI International, GENESPOIR,  ALBA, SIAM from Mali and finally Les albinos d'Hema Nayélé. They all undertake numerous activities aimed at raising awareness in civil society in its entirety by demystifying albinism, bringing in particular financial support to the research by participation in the economic and social integration with those with albinism.

This was followed by a screening of the documentary film “Black man, white skin” by the Spanish director José Manuel Colón, in which he accurately depicts the everyday tragedy experienced by those with albinism. He succeeds in demonstrating the vulnerabilities of these people and the need to break down the walls in order to allow for a better inclusion into society for them.

The inauguration of the “White Ebony” photo exhibition by the Belgian-Congolese Patricia Willocq, promoting a tolerant Africa, deservedly brought the day to a close. This photographic essay was awarded at the UNICEF Photo of the Year Award 2013, and has also been displayed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.