International Day Of African Resistance Against Enslavement How Can the International Decade for People of African Descent be used to move Africans forward ? © Ade Olaiya, M.A. International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition

AFRI-PHOBIA / AFRO-PHOBIA “Racism and structural discrimination against people of African descent, rooted in the infamous regime of slavery, are evident in the situations of inequality affecting them and reflected, in the following domains: limited social recognition and valuation of their ethnic and cultural diversity Intergenerational poverty as a result of additional difficulties they face in access to and completion and quality of education inequality in access to the labour market a disproportionate presence in prison populations their low rate of participation and representation in political and institutional decision-making processes“ Extract from the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) General Recommendation 34 WGEPAD makes a clear connection between poverty and Afri-phobia. Discrimination can both cause poverty and be a hurdle in alleviating poverty. educational outcomes for people of African descent are much more a function of their unequal access to key educational resources, including skilled teachers and quality curriculum (…) in some States, students of African descent routinely receive dramatically different learning opportunities based on their social status. With poor educational outcomes at all levels in addition to racial discrimination, people of African descent are unable to secure decent work.

TIMELINE 2010 UN GA/RES/64/169 proclaimed IYPAD 2011 CERD General Recommendation No. 34 2013 IDPAD proclaimed by UN GA/Res/ 68/237 2014 UN GA/RES/69/16 adopts IDPAD’s Programme of Activities Permanent Memorial unveiled at the UN marking the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Launch of ARDI Working Group 2016 AU EU Valletta Summit 2017 IDPAD Coalition UK Conference General Recommendation No. 34 adopted by the CERD on racial discrimination against people of African descent

IDPAD’s THEMATIC OBJECTIVES Recognition Justice Development

International Decade for People of African Descent UK Government Official Stance Concluding Observations of CERD following periodic visit to UK in 2016 “the British Government has no specific plans to mark the UN International Decade for People of African Descent (…) the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) has in the past highlighted the solid progress we continue to make on fighting racism” October, 2015 recommends that the state party consider adopting a national action plan to combat discrimination against PAD, in partnership and consultation with communities of African descent, with concrete targets, implementation mechanisms and adequate resources. regrets that the state party does not intend to adopt any activities or plans for 2015 – 2024 IDPAD: & encourages the state party to prepare and implement a suitable programme of measures and policies for the implementation of IDPAD.

IDPAD Coalition UK’s Report to WGEPAD Consultation with Civil Society, March 2017 RECOGNITION “everyone has the right to share in their community's cultural life“ (Article 27, UDHR 1948) REPARATIVE JUSTICE E.g. for health & wellbeing (Art. 25, UDHR 1948) Disproportionately poor outcomes for PAD including maternal mortality and mental health. DEVELOPMENT inclusive, equitable educational curricula (Art. 26, UDHR 1948) Education e.g. Saturday schools, teaching African youths about “communitisation” of resources and finances. Educational curricula, opportunities & outcomes for African youths echoed in the narratives of African youth e.g. “the educational curriculum is designed to tell you what to think, not how to think” (Harrow BHM: 2016) To date the UK Government has not adopted or implemented a Strategic Plan of Action for IDPAD and its thematic objective.

HOW ? RESEARCH ACTIONS Research posters designed and displayed to advocate IDPAD’s thematic objectives: e.g. at Roundtable Meetings hosted by the Anti-Racism and Diversity Intergroup of the European Parliament. Research presentations made to academic staff & students in UK higher educational institutions: & ENAR’s Steering Group to advocate fully disaggregated equality data in compliance with UN GA Res. 68/261 . Advocating IDPAD’s thematic objectives in compliance with UN GA Res. 69/16: e.g. at Council Meetings and in local media in 2015, 2016 & 2017. Participated in WGEPAD meeting with civil society, May 2017 on behalf of IDPAD Coalition UK.

RESEARCH DESIGN ETHICS SAMPLE CONFIDENTIAL DATA COLLECTION CONSENT ANONYMISED DATA OUTPUTS SECURE DATA STORAGE 20+ PARTICIPANTS PRIMARILY REPRESENTATIVE OF THE AFRICAN DIASPORA SUPRANATIONAL, REGIONAL, NATIONAL & LOCAL STAKEHOLDERS PUBLIC BODIES, ACADEMIA, & CIVIL SOCIETY VARYING ORGANISATIONAL FUNCTIONALITIES Iterative, relativist perspective, pragmatic epistemology

Academic Impact Black Emancipatory Action Research Methodology values a two-way process to develop and communicate policies. Engaging the Diaspora in decision making through knowledge exchange. Culture change in higher education acknowledging Afri-phobia/Afro- phobia e.g. Black Studies Association, AFRICA Week at UWE, etc.

During the Twentieth Session of the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent (WGEPAD), a Consultation with Civil Society took place with the objective to explore new and innovative ways for the Working Group to work with civil society organizations to strengthen its work. The afternoon included discussions on three guiding questions outlined below, exploring the key challenges of racial discrimination today and responses by civil society to combat these; engagement to date by civil society with the Working Group and suggestions to strengthen the impact of its recommendations on the ground; and recommendations for priority human rights concerns which the Working Group should focus on in the next three years.

EUROPEAN NETWORK AGAINST RACISM

Societal Impact capacity building e.g. increasing awareness of civil society & other stakeholders. community participation in decision making e.g. action research to cut mass incarceration in half by 2024. community empowerment through policy development e.g. A/HRC/RES/34/33 establishes a forum on people of African descent A/HRC/RES/34/33 recommends that the General Assembly establish a forum on people of African descent, in accordance with the recommendation contained in paragraph 29 (i) of the programme of activities for the implementation of the International Decade for People of African Descent,1 the modalities of which should reflect the views and preferences of the communities concerned;

Case Study: BRISTOL UJIMA Radio interviews on: Black & Green Show to discuss available grant funding to promote energy efficiency and reduce energy poverty in Bristol: Glocal to advocate IDPAD. IDPAD adopted as the theme for Bristol’s African Voices Forum Annual General Meeting in 2017; & AfriKan ConneXions Conference in 2016. Culture change for social cohesion and social welfare; e.g. the Malcolm X Community Centre & Justice for Judah Campaign. . Awareness of sustainable development goals and IDPAD’s thematic objectives, can improve social cohesion, and the effectiveness and sustainability of public bodies.

WGEPAD is well-suited to advocate for prioritization of programmes specifically tailored for combat Afri-phobia/Afro-phobia in implementation of the 2030 SDG agenda and the IDPAD. Enslavement, colonial and post-colonial injustices as well as constant struggles with structural racism, intolerance and Afri-phobiia directly influence on health and well-being. Challenges and specific risks faced by PAD in regard to health should be adequately addressed by States,, through efficient health insurance schemes, targeted programs reducing maternal mortality and improving pre- and post-birth medical care, providing adequate health service in all areas, including mental health and psychological support, raising awareness of specific and culture-related health issues of PAD among the public as well as medical professionals.

EXAMPLE 1: SDG 16 (Peace, Justice & Good Governance) Stakeholders narratives highlight the need for state parties to implement : DRAFT RECOMMENDATIONS from 20th Session of the WGEPAD Civil society can constructively engage with UN Member States in the implementation of the WGEPAD’s recommendations: Grassroots organizations as active partners for change e.g. community-based monitoring of the SDGs. make use of WGEPAD’s complaint procedure to raise concerns relating to the African diaspora. Member States, UN agencies and programmes (…) should empower and connect civil society representatives, working together to seek recognition and justice for legacies of enslavement and colonialism. Target 16.3 - ensure equal access to justice Target 16.a - strengthen relevant national institutions, prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime Target 16.b - promote and enforce non- discriminatory laws and policies for sustainable development. The Report of the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent on its 19th and 20th session is not out yet and will be presented by the Chair of the Working Group only at the 36th session of the HR Council in September.

Economic Impact DRAFT Recommendations from the 20th Session of the UN WGEPAD: will request development and financial institutions continue to assist Member States and PAD in implementation of its recommendations urges Member States to allocate additional investments to PAD in the health systems, education, and promoting equal opportunities in employment, as well as other positive measures and strategies within the human rights framework encourages financial and development institutions to support civil society and government programmes and projects which aim to implement its’ recommendations. E.g. social investment as an alternative to public funding in Bristol. The second WGEPAD Regional Meeting with civil society taking place in November in Geneva will provide an opportunity to reflect on ways and means that governments from Europe, Central Asia and North America in partnership with equality bodies, national human rights institutions, civil society, development agencies and regional organizations, may pursue to integrate the provisions of the Programmes of Activities in their policies, programmes and strategies tailored for people of African descent. This forum will occur during the 21st Session of the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent (Geneva, Switzerland, 20-24 November 2017).

EXAMPLE 2: SDG Targets addressing Migration Target 4b on provision of scholarships for study abroad; Targets 5.2, 8.7 and 16.2 combating human trafficking, especially for women and children Target 8.8 to protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers, in particular women migrants, and those in precarious employment. Target 10.7 to facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through implementation of well-planned migration policies Target 10c on lowering the costs of transmitting remittances Target 17.18 on disaggregating data by migratory status.

Projects implementing the Joint (AU - EU) Valletta Action Plan, Dec Domains & priority projects initiated % of projects % of budget enhancing employment opportunities and revenue-generating activities, improve remittances, mobilising investments & technical assistance in partner countries, improving economic governance and engaging with the private sector. mobility of students and researchers. capacity building with governments, humanitarian assistance and Regional Development and Protection Programme. new or adapted legislation and capacity- building strengthening logistical and operational capacity of authorities in countries of origin; enhancing the dialogue between countries of origin and destination on returns, readmission and reintegration. 58% 60% 2% 1% 17% 13% 13% 7% 11% 16%

BIBLIOGRAPHY European Council (2015) Valletta Summit, 11- 12 November 2015: Action Plan. http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/international-summit/2015/11/11-12/ : General Secretariat of the Council [25/04/17] Farkas, L. (2017) The meaning of racial or ethnic origin in EU law: between stereotypes and identities. Publications Office of the European Union: Luxembourg. Inter-Agency and Expert Group on SDG Indicators -IAEG-SDGs (2017) Report of the Inter-Agency and Expert Group on Sustainable Development Goal Indicators (E/CN.3/2017/2): Revised list of global Sustainable Development Goal indicators. United Nations Statistical Commission Nwabuzo, O. (2015) Afro-phobia in Europe: ENAR Shadow Report 2014-2015. ENAR Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform (2015) Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/post2015/transformingourworl : United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs [ accessed 21/10/15] United Nations (2015) 2015 – 2024 International Decade for People of African Descent http://www.un.org/en/events/africandescentdecade/ : UN Web Services [20/08/15] UNESCO, Declaration on Race and Racial Prejudice. http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php- URL_ID=13161&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html: [17/03/16] United Nations (2015) 2015 Time for Global Action for People and Action. http://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/ : UN Web Services [5/09/15]