FORUM: "Honouring the contributions of the African diaspora."International Day for People of African Descent 2023.
As we mark the third International Day for People of African Descent this year, we celebrate the extraordinary contributions of Afrodescendent women to the world – contributions that come in spite of the systemic racism that fuels violence and excludes people of African descent from services, land, housing, health care, education, work, political participation and justice. Around the world, people of African descent are speaking out and leading collective action to end racism and the injustices it perpetuates. Ending racism will take every one of us, working together to change discriminatory social norms, practices and policies, to expand participation, to transform institutions and invest in communities – and to end inaction and impunity. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #31August, #AfricanDescent, #StandUp4HumanRights, #FightRacism.
EVENTS: Through the observance of the International Day for People of African Descent 2023 on August 31st, the United Nations aims to promote the extraordinary contributions of the African diaspora around the world and to eliminate all forms of discrimination against people of African descent.
On the International Day for People of African Descent, we celebrate the achievements and the cultural, economic, political and scientific contributions of people of African descent throughout history in every area of human endeavour.
The continent of Africa and people of African descent have had an enormous impact on the development, diversity and richness of world civilizations and cultures, which constitute the common heritage of humankind.
At the same time, we acknowledge the pervasive discrimination faced by people of African descent around the world, and the many obstacles they face to realising their full human rights.
Racism, marginalization and stigmatization continue to blight our world. The legacy of centuries of enslavement and exclusion continues to reverberate in entrenched inequalities and injustices.
Recent years have seen renewed momentum for change, based on the global anti-racism movement of 2020. The recent establishment of the Expert Mechanism to Advance Racial Justice and Equality in the context of Law Enforcement, and the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent, are a testament to the collective aspirations of people of African descent for justice and equality worldwide.
I have made anti-racism a management priority at the United Nations. Our Anti-Racism team, led by My Special Adviser, Mojankunyane Gumbi, is overseeing the implementation of our Strategic Action Plan on Addressing Racism and Promoting Dignity for All.
Today, as we mark the International Day for People of African Descent, I reiterate the call of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to use the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to announce and take prompt and robust steps to advance equality and combat racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia.
I urge States to take concrete steps, with the full participation of people of African descent and their communities, to tackle old and new forms of racial discrimination; and to dismantle entrenched structural and institutional racism.
Today and every day, we must continue to speak out against all ideas of racial superiority, and work tirelessly to free all societies from the blight of racism.
- Statement by the OHCHR on the occasion of the International Day for People of African Descent 2023.
- Statement from the WHO/PAHO Director on the occasion of the International Day for People of African Descent 2023.
- Statement from the UNFPA Executive Director on the occasion of the International Day for People of African Descent 2023.
- Statement by the European Commission on the occasion of the International Day for People of African Descent 2023.
- Statement from the U.S.Department of State on the occasion of the International Day for People of African Descent 2023.
The International Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024). RECOGNITION. JUSTICE. DEVELOPMENT aims to
- Celebrate the important contributions of people of African descent worldwide,
- Advance social justice and inclusion policies,
- Eradicate racism and intolerance,
- Promote human rights, and
- Assist in creating better, more prosperous communities, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals spearheaded by the United Nations.
