2007 sees the anniversary of the 1807 Act, which banned British ships from trading in slaves. Although this was a necessary prelude to the ending of the institution itself it took nearly another 30 years before slavery was abolished in the Caribbean. On the other hand, the 1807 Act was an important occasion. Next year its commemoration offers Britain a unique opportunity.

Reflecting on 1807 Act compels us to re-assess the history of the period, and opens up the gateway to a richer, more complete knowledge about the roots of present day British society and present day British prosperity. Above all the 1807 Act gives us a fuller understanding about how the various strands of our present day UK population developed as a result of what was happening in that period.

As it happens, 1807 has a special significance for British people of Afro-Caribbean descent. The people, whose enslavement was the issue, were members of our own families, and it was their suffering which contributed to the riches of present day Britain. But 2007 is not merely an opportunity to revisit a history of victimisation, or to engage in pointless “celebrations”.

The commemoration of the Act is an acknowledgement by our government and institutions of the historical relationship between the descendants of slaves and the descendants of slave owners. In my opinion we now have the opportunity to take advantage of these historic connections and this common heritage, by working together to understand the past, and to reshape the future.

As an HLF Board member I’m hoping that one of the results of this year will be the willingness of black community organisations to seek our support in making 2007 a useful and successful year of both memory and dedication to the future.