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United Nations Permanent Forum on People of African Descent Declaration Process

Cultivating Global Narratives, Strategies, and Processes Towards Racial Justice: Instituting A Racial Equity Database to Support the United Nations Permanent Forum on People of African Descent Declaration Process 

This initiative is a collaboration between the United Nations Permanent Forum on People of African Descent (UNPFPAD), the Center on Civil Rights and Racial Justice (CCRRJ), the Center on Race and Social Problems (CRSP), and the David C. Frederick Honors College (FHC). This initiative aims to establish a comprehensive racial equity database to support the development of a vision-rich, globally comprehensive, and process-oriented declaration at the United Nations 2024 Fall General Assembly. The initiative also aims to develop a Global Racial Equity Collaboratory, a dynamic, connective engagement hub centered on research, education, and praxis, dedicated to advancing antiracist, interdisciplinary, collaborative, and systems-thinking resources that empower people and communities to realize a racially inclusive and equitable society. 

Program Objectives 

  1. Conduct a benchmark study of contemporary racial equity narratives, strategies, and processes of select communities around the world. 

  2. Develop and institute a racial equity consciousness learning community framework and database tool. 

  3. Expand and inform scholarship on the development of global mindsets and capacities to deconstruct systemic racism and foster racial equity. 

Program Benefits 

  1. Enhanced global understanding: The initiative will create a comprehensive database and analysis of racial equity narratives, strategies, and processes from communities worldwide, leading to a better understanding of global efforts to address racial disparities. 
  2. Interdisciplinary collaboration: By bringing together a multidisciplinary, global collective of racial equity researchers, educators, and practitioners, the initiative fosters collaboration and knowledge exchange among experts from various fields. 
  3. Access to valuable resources: The racial equity database will provide an accessible resource for researchers, educators, policymakers, and community members to access comprehensive data on racial equity initiatives worldwide. 
  4. Informed policy and practice: The initiative's findings will contribute to the development of the PFPAD declaration at the United Nations 2024 Fall General Assembly, informing global policy and practice on racial equity. 
  5. Community empowerment: By providing communities with tools and resources to deconstruct systemic racism and foster racial equity, the initiative empowers them to become transformative agents in addressing the global racism crisis. 
  6. Student development and training: The project offers hands-on experience in mixed-methods research, professional and organizational development, and expands professional communication skills for graduate and undergraduate students involved in the project. 
  7. Increased scholarship: The initiative will contribute to the expansion of racial equity scholarship through the publication of white papers, peer-reviewed journal articles, and presentations at national conferences. 

Questions? Contact CRSP@pitt.edu