As part of the national celebrations to mark the decade of freedom, the Documentation Centre and the Campbell Collections of the University of KwaZulu-Natal will jointly host a conference of the International Anti-Apartheid Movement over three days in Durban from 10 - 13 October, 2004.  The conference will seek to bring together, for the first time, activists who have been involved in the anti-apartheid struggle from countries such as the UK, USA, India, Australia, Japan, Germany, France, New Zealand, the Nordic countries and the African continent to South Africa.  The conference will take place around a myriad of related activities in the city such as exhibitions from different countries, film launches and book launches.  Invitees to the conference will include members of the international anti-apartheid movement, stalwarts of South Africa's liberation struggle, members of the South African government, representatives of foreign governments and academics.

By focusing on the role of this international movement and its contribution to South Africa's new democracy, this conference will allow participants to reflect on this country's achievements during the first decade of freedom and to discuss mutual cooperation during the second decade of freedom as well as the challenges that face this country.  For the victory of 1994 belongs not just to South Africans but to the thousands of international activists and the organisations they led in solidarity with the oppressed of this country.  That there has been a tendency in recent years to minimize or underestimate the central role played by these peoples of the world in the struggle against apartheid, is undeniable.  This is an issue that needs to be urgently addressed.