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Berkeley College President Diane Recinos Calls for Action on Women's Rights at United Nations Africa Day Celebration

BERKELEY COLLEGE PRESIDENT DIANE RECINOS CALLS FOR ACTION ON WOMEN’S RIGHTS, YOUTH EMPOWERMENT AND EQUITY AT UNITED NATIONS AFRICA DAY CELEBRATION

Berkeley Africa

Photo Caption: President Diane Recinos of Berkeley College, above right, addresses the delegation at Africa Day. She takes the Red Card Pledge with Djibril Diallo, President and CEO of the African Renaissance and Diaspora Network, left.

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.

Berkeley Africa
Photo Caption:
Berkeley College Trustee Busie Matsiko-Andan, pictured above left, is an advisor to the African Renaissance and Diaspora Network. 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

About Berkeley College

Berkeley College, founded in 1931, is a career-focused institution accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education that offers students Master’s, Bachelor’s, and Associate’s degree and Certificate programs in more than 20 career fields. The College also offers continuing education programs to enhance career credentials. 

Berkeley College has campuses in Midtown Manhattan, NY, and in Newark, Woodbridge and Woodland Park, NJ, with more than 4,000 students enrolled. In addition, Berkeley College Online® serves a global population. U.S. News & World Report has named Berkeley College among the Best Colleges for Online Bachelor’s Programs and among the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans, for nine consecutive years. U.S. News & World Report named Berkeley College (NJ) one of the Best Regional Colleges in the North in its 2022 edition of the Best Colleges Survey.  In 2021 Berkeley College (NJ) was also recognized for the first time as a Top Performer on Social Mobility among colleges in the region. The website address is http://www.BerkeleyCollege.edu.