Christine Marie Soomer says critical analysis needed to overcome effects of colonialism

To overcome the consequences of colonial policy in the modern world, it is necessary to rely on scientifically based approaches and critical analysis, June Christine Marie Soomer, a member of the UN Permanent Forum on People of African Descent, said in Baku at the international scientific conference "Imperial Structure: Colonial Ideologies and Realities."

Report quotes her as saying science should be the basis for the destruction of empire and colonialism. She noted that based on historical facts, it is clear that science is a very powerful weapon.

"Historically, science has often been used as a tool to facilitate exploitation, extracting knowledge from colonized peoples and then interpreting that knowledge in terms of superiority and inferiority. Exploitation has also manifested itself in the appropriation of intellectual achievements and stolen innovations from enslaved peoples in the Caribbean, from indigenous peoples in the Americas, and in many other parts of the world. And I must emphasize: it is precisely this systemic exploitation and destruction that has prevented colonized peoples from realizing their innovative potential. This is one of the harsh realities that we face to this day," she said.

June Christine Marie Soomer emphasized that now is the time to use science to unlock the full potential of current and former colonial territories.