United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent
United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent
The United Nations (UN) commemorates international decades to focus world attention on a specific topic, and then mobilize resources to respond. In December 2013, the U.N. General Assembly proclaimed the decade of 2015 through 2024 to be the International Decade for People of African Descent (IDPAD), through Resolution 68/237 (U.N., 2013).
Goal: The goal of this international decade is to “promote respect, protection and fulfillment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for people of African descent (POAD), as recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The international decade will provide an opportunity to recognize the significant contribution made by people of African descent to our societies and to propose concrete measures to promote their full inclusion and to combat all forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance” (U.N., 2014)
Theme: People of African Descent: Recognition, Justice and Development
Objectives:
- Recognition: “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.”
- Justice: “To adopt and strengthen national, regional and international legal frameworks in accordance with the Durban Declaration and Program of Action and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, and to ensure their full and effective implementation.”
- Development: “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” (U.N., 2014).
UN IDPAD links
•IDPAD Background Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9edo0Qaq-ZI
•Historical Overview: http://en.unesco.org/decade-people-african-descent
