Read the workshop summary
This workshop took place online on 21 and 22 November. It brought together equality bodies and NGOs working to combat discrimination and intolerance against people of African descent to share good practices and discuss ways forward. The workshop will be organised in consultation with the European Commission’s Coordinator on Anti-Racism.
Background
The proven disproportionate impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on racial and ethnic minorities and the shocking revelations of police brutality against racialised communities, and in particular people of African descent, around the globe following the murder of George Floyd resulted in a powerful global outcry against racism. These developments have shown the extent of institutional and systemic discrimination that still exists in Europe. As a response, the EU adopted in 2020 its Anti-Racism Action Plan that serves as a backdrop to our work.
In 2021, Equinet organised a conference on institutional and structural racism in order to call attention to these issues and the potential of equality bodies in addressing them. Because of their mandates and functions, equality bodies can foster organisational and social change, in addition to assisting individuals who are victims of racism. In 2022, it is necessary to zoom in on the particular expressions of racism experienced by people of African descent and the responses equality bodies can provide to these.
Objectives
The workshop was aimed at equality body staff and NGOs working on discrimination against people of African descent.
The workshop:
- Discussed the expressions of racism experienced by people of African descent in European societies, the existing obstacles and the solutions and good practices of equality bodies to address them, in cooperation with relevant NGOs.
- Enhanced trust between equality bodies and NGOs working to combat discrimination and intolerance against people of African descent. Increased attention to and more effective work by equality bodies on racism against people of African descent.