Between 10 and 28 million Africans were forcibly sent to the Americas and sold into slavery between 1450 and the early 19th century. By then Britain was the dominant trader, transporting more than 300,000 slaves a year in shackles on overcrowded and disease-ridden boats. As many as one in 10 died from illness, suicide or starvation. A long and concerted campaign finally persuaded Parliament to pass an act abolishing slavery in 1807. It was abolished throughout the British empire in 1833.
How the country should face its past role and what it means to black Britons today are among the issues tackled by Rendezvous of Victory, a group seeking to continue the abolitionist movement to attack modern slavery and inequalities around the world. Its joint coordinator, Kofi Mawuli Klu, last night called for the Queen to issue an official apology on behalf of Britain in 2007, condemned the view of Africa promoted by Band Aid, and said true reparations would mean granting Africans a new sense of identity.
'We are not interested in money,' said Klu, who is based in London. 'We would like the Queen to make a formal apology in 2007. But it has to be an apology of substance, accompanied by educational and other reforms. We want to see a change in the rules that govern the global economy to bring about a different global order. If that goes alongside an apology, it is meaningful. If they say sorry, I'm going to carry on, it's worthless.
'It is an insult to try and put a monetary figure on the millions of lives lost in the genocide. The true prize is self-determination, and the African diaspora integrated into a global system where they can have self-identity. We are talking about holistic reparations: changing unfair terms of trade, reforming governments and a cultural need for Africans to feel pride in who they are.'
Klu insisted that the event should go beyond a celebration of William Wilberforce, Britain's most famous anti-slavery campaigner, and acknowledge black heroes of the abolitionist movement. These included Oladuah Equiano, an African who bought his freedom and moved to London where he fought for the cause, and Ignatius Sancho, who was born on a slave ship and became the first African writer published in Britain, inspiring many abolitionists.
'There is a lot of talk about William Wilberforce and white abolitionists, but very little about black founders of a movement which formed the core of trade unionism in the UK,' said Klu, a Ghanaian who came to Britain as a political refugee 10 years ago. 'Wilberforce didn't organise a revolution on his own.'
Rendezvous of Victory praised the efforts of Fiona MacTaggart, the Home Office minister, who last month launched a debate in Parliament about how to mark the anniversary, condemning the 'crime' of slavery and saying: 'We must learn the lessons of the past.' The Home Office has given £400,000 to projects and set up a steering group to advise on commemorations.
Last month Liverpool unveiled plans for a £10 million museum dedicated to the British slave trade. Louise Ellman, the local MP, who has been pushing for an annual memorial day, said: 'I don't think Britain has dealt with this issue. We need to be aware of what happened and deal with contemporary slavery, such as the trafficking of women.
'In 2007 there need to be events that recognise what happened and the role this country played. But one year is not enough: I'd like to see the slave trade become part of the national curriculum. An apology would be helpful but words have to be supported by actions. Reparations need to go deeper than financial compensation to develop the parts of the world that suffered.'
Klu, 48, said his work with grassroots black communities across the country had shown how the consequences of the slave trade are still felt generations later. 'Today black people have an identity crisis because they cannot trace their ancestors - that includes black Britons. They are demanding an understanding of who they are.
'The image of Africa through the mainstream media is distorted and doesn't allow Africans themselves to tell their own story. Instead we have "experts" who go there and give their version, and any African voices we hear are carefully selected.
'This "Do they know it's Christmas?" rubbish is racist. It's peddled as saving Africa but is quite insulting to Africans. Who wants to know it's Christmas? We have our own traditional festivals. Instead of Band Aid, let's have a concert to help free political prisoners around the world.'
William Wilberforce (1759-1833)
For 18 years, from 1788, Wilberforce annually tabled anti-slavery motions in Parliament. In August 1833 - a month after his death - the slave trade was abolished.
Oladuah Equiano (c.1745-c.1797)
Born in the West African kingdom of Benin in 1745, Equiano was sold into slavery at the age of 11. He became a key member of the Society for the Abolition of the Slave Trade and the principal spokesman of Britain's black community.
Ignatius Sancho (1729-1780)
Sold into slavery, Sancho, the first African writer published in Britain, became a symbol of eloquence to the abolitionist movement. He was the first African to vote in a British election.
www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/slavery.htm Interactive encylopaedia on the slave trade including Britain's role
www.blackpresence.co.uk Young internet publication describing itself as the home of black history on the web