The Black Mediterranean in Action Symposium
PROPOSAL OF INTEREST
The central question addressed by my thesis is “what bridges can be built to address structural barriers which marginalise the African diaspora from fulfilling universal human rights?” I argue thematic objectives of the International Decade for People of African Descent can be linked to sustainable development goals (SDGs), e.g. by monitoring border controls for Afri-phobia / Afro-phobia. Achievement of SDG 10, reduce inequality within and among countries, is at the core of my qualitative research study. Civil society can play a vital role monitoring implementation of Target 10.3, “ensure equal opportunity (…) by eliminating discriminatory laws (…) and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard” (IAEG-SDGs: 2017). Global Monitoring Indicators 10.3.1 and 16.b.1 monitor “the proportion of population reporting having personally felt discriminated against (…) on the basis of a ground of discrimination prohibited under international human rights law” (IAEG-SDGs: 2017). The scope of my study relies on the centrality of African experiences, perceptions and understanding as cognitive, structural and functional aspects, for interpreting and creating knowledge for critical evaluation specifically relevant to the African diaspora (Mazama: 2001).
With this in mind, I advocate Black Emancipatory Action Research’s theoretical and methodological approach, to researching the Black Mediterranean in Action. My study includes narratives on strategic policy interventions to address Afro-phobia; and desk research on outcomes of the Valletta Summit. Empirical findings of my research study therefore illustrate the relevance of the 2030 Agenda to IDPAD’s thematic objectives, for African migrants and African diaspora communities in Europe, cannot be understated. This event was hosted by the Black Studies Association in June 2017, at Birmingham City University in the United Kingdom, and brought together academics, activists, and other stakeholders to seek solutions to the ongoing crisis in the Mediterranean.
The presentation may be viewed here http://eprints.uwe.ac.uk/32212
Comments
"In January 2012, the Assembly of the African Union requested the African Union Commission to consider and prepare a framework document on the representation of the African Diaspora in AU structures and processes in line with previous decisions of AU Policy Organs (Assembly/AU/Dec.393 (XVIII). This process seeks to realise that request" (CIDO, 2017).
The relevance of understanding circular migration in the "African Mediterranean" to the evolving relationship between the African Union and its' Sixth Region includes: the AU ECOSOCC: proposed Africa Houses in host countries: and the draft framework for African diaspora representation in AU structures and processes. See http://africandiaspora.altafrica.org/.
On 14 April 2021, the European Commission adopted a new EU Strategy on Combatting Trafficking in Human Beings (2021-2025). This initiative provides for a comprehensive response to the crime – from preventing the crime, and protecting and empowering victims to bringing traffickers to justice. As trafficking in human beings is often perpetuated by organised crime groups, the Strategy on Combatting Trafficking in Human Beings is closely linked to the EU Strategy to Tackle Organised Crime (2021-2025).
The strategy builds on the EU's comprehensive legal and policy framework in place to address trafficking in human beings, rooted in the Anti-trafficking Directive. The Strategy focuses on:
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Publication Date:
Wednesday, 30 June, 2021
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