The site, which has been launched in advance of the 2007 bicentenary of the abolition of the Slave Trade in 1807, is just one of the resources being developed through the Understanding Slavery Initiative - a national project developed by a partnership of museums co-ordinated by the National Maritime Museum at Greenwich.

“We believe, in government, that it was hugely important to have our great National Museums working in close partnership with our great regional museums,” said Mr Lammy.

“It does take money, it does take commitment, it does take vision right across the government and the country," he added.

Mr Lammy pledged continued financial support until at least 2008, by which time the Government will have invested £910,000 in the project

Funding came through the DCMS and DfES as part of the Strategic Commissioning National/Regional Partnerships Programme and the Minister stressed how important the government regards the job of getting the story of slavery across to young people today.

“The story of slavery is a sensitive story, a difficult story, an inhumane story and a tragic story," added the Minister. "But it’s also a story of hope, of liberation and of emancipation.”

“Telling that story… the story of understanding slavery, and in so doing conveying the first great international movement for its abolition in an effective way to our young people, is hugely important,” he added.

The Minister also spoke about how, as a young black man growing up in Britain 20 years ago, the only perspective on slavery to be found was an American one. Now, he said, he was pleased to be part of a movement that would tell the story from a British perspective.

25 March 2007 will mark 200 years - to the day - that a Parliamentary Bill was passed to abolish the slave trade in the then British Empire. 1807 was the beginning of the long road to the eventual abolition of slavery itself within the empire via the Act of 1833. Even then, slaves did not gain their final freedom until 1838.

The new educational website includes sections dealing with slavery’s modern legacies and practical guidance on how to use museum collections that link to schemes of work within the National Curriculum, particularly History and Citizenship at key stages 3 and 4.

Also included is a wealth of background information and practical activities –for use in the classroom. Rich in primary material the site has been specifically designed to encourage a variety of teaching approaches and includes strong visual images, video clips, sound and readings from original sources.

“Understanding Slavery is a valuable education project,” added Schools Minister Andrew Adonis. “The website which is being launched today will provide teachers with additional support for teaching this important aspect of British History and I am delighted that the government has worked in partnership with the National Maritime Museum as well as other national and regional museums to create such a valuable resource.”

As well as the National Maritime Museum, the partnership of national and regional museums involved in the project include National Museums Liverpool, the British Empire and Commonwealth Museum, Bristol City Museums, Galleries and Archives, and Hull Museums and Art Gallery.

The Deputy Prime Minister, David Lammy (Minister for Culture) and Meg Munn, (Minister for Women and Equality) have brought together a national Advisory Group as a high-level forum for discussion on opportunities and expectations for 2007. The Group is galvanising action across cultural, faith and community sectors to enable all stakeholders to ensure that Bicentenary has a national impact and is relevant to local communities.

For more information about initiatives in place for the 2007 Bicentenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade visit the information page on the DCMS website