UN Decade & Forum

The International Decade for People of African Descent provides a framework for the United Nations, Member States, civil society and all other relevant actors to and take measures for the implementation of existing international policies towards the liberation of people of African descent worldwide.

The Thurgood Marshall Civil Rights Center is pleased to work in partnership with the Leadership Conference for Civil Rights to execute a project concerning the Decade.

Led by international human rights lawyer Kerry McLean, the project organizes and collaborates with Afrodescendant activists from around the world on international and domestic advocacy, reporting and awareness building concerning issues affecting Black people.

Social Media Toolkit

What is the International Decade for people of African Descent?

Celebrate the International Decade for People of African Descent

Defend Durban

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the World Conference Against Racism, which was held in Durban, South Africa.

The Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA), a comprehensive international framework for fighting racism, was adopted at the conference. Yet the DDPA has constantly been under attack by a handful of powerful countries, Defend Durban. 

Get Involved

• Share this link to the Durban Review Conference to help raise awareness of the DDPA.
• Write to your member of Congress and ask them to support implementation of the DDPA.
• Share our messaging on social media: #DefendDurban

Recent Events

A Global Conversation on Reparations on June 18, 2021

Speakers included:

• His Excellency David Comissiong, Barbados' Ambassador to CARICOM
• Nkechi Taifa, National African-American Reparations Commission
• Roger Wareham, The December 12th Movement
• Esther Stanford-Xosei, Stop the Maangamizi: We Charge Genocide
• Jan Lonn, World Against Racism Network

Past Projects

Summit on the International Decade, November 2019

Featured videos follow below.