Midterm Review of the International Decade for People of African Descent, General Assembly, Informal meeting, 75th session (SDGs 10, 16, & 17, +)
Summary: Opening segment - Interactive Panel I - Recognition- Interactive Panel II - Justice
Description: The International Decade for People of African Descent under the theme "People of African descent: recognition, justice and development", was established through the adoption of UN General Assembly resolution 68/237. The resolution established the following specific objectives for the International Decade: To strengthen national, regional and international action and cooperation in relation to the full enjoyment of economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights by people of African descent and their full and equal participation in all aspects of society; To promote a greater knowledge of and respect for the diverse heritage, culture and contribution of people of African descent to the development of societies; To adopt and strengthen national, regional and international legal frameworks in accordance with the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, and to ensure their full and effective implementation. The Secretary-General's latest report (A/75/363) on this subject provides that "in many parts of the world, children and young people of African descent do not fully enjoy their human rights" and that that the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing inequalities and is likely to further reinforce social exclusion. This informal meeting, as requested by the General Assembly in resolution 69/16, will present an opportunity for Member States, civil society representatives, and stakeholders from the private sector, academia, and the media to take stock of the progress made and decide on further actions required for the International Decade for People of African Descent. The Mid-term Review will take place on 22 July 2021, comprising an opening segment, three interactive panel discussions and a closing segment. The three interactive panels will provide the platform for speakers to take stock of the steps taken to date and the way forward in the implementation of activities of the Decade, with a focus on the themes of the Decade – recognition, justice, and development.
Watch the proceedings on UN Web TV at the following link : (Part 1) Midterm Review of the International Decade for People of African Descent, General Assembly, Informal meeting, 75th session | UN Web TV
Summary: Interactive Panel III - Development and Multiple Discrimination.
Description: The International Decade for People of African Descent under the theme "People of African descent: recognition, justice and development", was established through the adoption of UN General Assembly resolution 68/237. The resolution established the following specific objectives for the International Decade: To strengthen national, regional and international action and cooperation in relation to the full enjoyment of economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights by people of African descent and their full and equal participation in all aspects of society; To promote a greater knowledge of and respect for the diverse heritage, culture and contribution of people of African descent to the development of societies; To adopt and strengthen national, regional and international legal frameworks in accordance with the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, and to ensure their full and effective implementation. The Secretary-General's latest report (A/75/363) on this subject provides that "in many parts of the world, children and young people of African descent do not fully enjoy their human rights" and that that the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing inequalities and is likely to further reinforce social exclusion. This informal meeting, as requested by the General Assembly in resolution 69/16, will present an opportunity for Member States, civil society representatives, and stakeholders from the private sector, academia, and the media to take stock of the progress made and decide on further actions required for the International Decade for People of African Descent. The Mid-term Review will take place on 22 July 2021, comprising an opening segment, three interactive panel discussions and a closing segment. The three interactive panels will provide the platform for speakers to take stock of the steps taken to date and the way forward in the implementation of activities of the Decade, with a focus on the themes of the Decade – recognition, justice, and development.
Watch the proceedings on UN Web TV at the following link: (Part 2) Midterm Review of the International Decade for People of African Descent, General Assembly, Informal meeting, 75th session | UN Web TV
Summary: The midterm review of the implementation of the International Decade for People of African Descent (2014-2025), which advocates for justice, recognition and development to ensure people of African descent can exercise their full human rights.
Description: An event co-organized by the United Nations Department of Global Communications, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), marks the midterm review of the implementation of the International Decade for People of African Descent (2014-2025), which advocates for justice, recognition and development to ensure people of African descent can exercise their full human rights.The agenda will include musical performances, a mini-documentary produced in Latin America, conversations with experts and inspiring voices from young people of African descent, who will share their testimonies, hopes and dreams through dance, poetry, singing, rap, spoken word and other creative ways. Speakers will include Dr. Natalia Kanem, Executive Director, UNFPA; Michelle Bachelet, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights; H.E. Ambassador Fatima Kyari Mohammed, Permanent Observer of the African Union (AU); Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, Vice Chancellor of the University of West indies; and Ms. Michaela Moua, EU Anti-Racism Coordinator.This year also marks the 20th anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, which this year will focus on racism and discrimination faced by people of African descent. On 18 July 2021 we celebrate Nelson Mandela's birthday, as Nelson Mandela International Day. Both are important markers in the fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerances. Together, we can achieve recognition, justice and development for people of African Descent.
Watch the recording of this event at the following link
SEE US, HEAR US, COUNT US IN: Voices from the Decade for People of African Descent | UN Web TV
See Us, Hear Us, Count Us In: Voices of the Decade Website
Véanos, escúchenos, ténganos en cuenta: Voces de la Década
Voyez nous, entendez nous, comptez sur nous : Les voix de la décennie
Previously, on November 13, 2019 academics, members of civil society, and other stakeholders gathered at the Thurgood Marshall Civil Rights Center, Howard University School of Law, to discuss the achievements made in the Decade to date, and how best to proceed for the remaining years given challenges faced. (see the attachments below). In that regard, in 2017 Harrow Back History Month group hosted a discussion entitled, "can the International Decade for People of African Descent (IDPAD) amount to more than just rhetoric and have impact ?" See http://eprints.uwe.ac.uk/32887
MIPAD is reaching out to partner or collaborate on UN International Decade for People of African Descent initiatives,
The link for interested parties is https://forms.gle/EmyTzzPdEP7oDxxMA
On 12 09 20 the Justice Initiative was launched by Thurgood Marshall Civil Rights Center, Howard Law School in collaboration with Harvard Law School, law, civil service and other civil rights stakeholders to build a community in which community centred justice can find a home, to create a more just World. The program is set up during COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown which disproportionately impact PAD and other people of colour,as a response to longstanding injustices. race is a pivotal focus following on from the murder of George Floyd and environmental catastrophes in 2020. It will facilitate a general critique of legal education and response to issues of racial justice, intersectionality, and overlapping oppressions. The program is flexible and not a highly detailed syllabus from Day One.
Professor Justin Hansford of Thurgood Marshall Civil Rights Center, Howard Law School advocated this systemic justice project to connect major global injustices to law, and collaboration of lawyers, academics, law students, etc in response. There has been greater intensity towards creation of such a movement in the last 4-6 months than in the last ten years, with the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and other miscarriages of justice sparking global protests. This is a movement where real change is possible; boundaries are breaking down between law schools, geographic location, amd legal systems a s a whole. Legal systems are in flux, they are being reborn and remade. There is a sense of opportunity and also a movement of obligation.
Dr Enumale Agada of Harvard Law School further advocated the Justice Iniative as an exciting process rather than perfection. The collaboration between harvard and Howard Law Schools is to build community across boundaries, which has not been done before. This year it will be a pilot programmebut will require a lot of work and commitment to building something useful for all participants.
PURPOSES
Justice has not been centred but fairly rigid and clear; a long term critique by law students is that they often find they dont get the means to effect social justice as they had hoped, as advocates or justice centred lawyers. There is short term urgency to address systemic injustices embedded in society, and a need to build community to what is happening in the World at the moment.
Create a space where students are in a community that allows them to engage and respond to injustices that are happening at the moment, and a stucture where students can feel supported in the search for justice (Enumale)
Critical approaches are useful in addressing real crises on the ground, and we need to understand the crisis of injustice in through processes that are supportive and enriching to movements. "The Justice Crisis" therefore requires a network that cannot be replicated with just another addition to your class schedule. There is a lot of unrealised power that can be tapped by bringing different stakeholders together (Justin).
Contact Details
Website: https://systemicjusticeblog.wordpress
Email: 2020justiceinitiative@gmail.com
GLOBALLY, ANTI- POLICE BRUTALITY PROTESTS SUCH END SARS IN NIGERIA, AS WELL AS BLACK LIVES MATTER IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, & UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WERE A FEATURE OF 2020.
See https://youtu.be/ZUSsdSUHrQM
The American Society for International Law (ASIL) in collaboration with the University of the West Indies (UWI) Conference on Reparations under International Law for Enslavement of African persons in Africa and the Americas.
Day 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gc5prn1Gyr8
Day 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYp-HVgzV_c
**** Correction: the "Symposium" on Reparations which was hosted online by ASIL in collaboration with UWI, was NOT a "Conference" as mistakely alluded to above.