SYDNEY (11 August 2023) – In December 2022, the UN Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent (WGEPAD) made a historic first visit to Australia. The Working Group visited Canberra, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Sydney and spoke to various instruments of government, human rights and community organisations and individuals.
The visit presented an opportunity for the independent UN experts to scrutinize the situation of people of African descent in Australia in great detail, identify any issues, and provide recommendations on how to address them. In accordance with their mandate, the Working Group critically assessed the situation in Australia and identified best practices that could be replicated in other nations.
At the end of their visit, the WGEPAD released a preliminary report with extensive recommendations that highlighted the pervasiveness of racism experienced by people of African descent living in Australia, and raised concerns about transgressions of human rights.
The final report will be presented to the United Nations Human Rights Council in September 2023.
in partnership with Western Sydney University Social Justice Network, the African Australian Advocacy Centre this week will bring key experts together from academia, community organisations and local government services who are working with African diaspora communities in Greater Western Sydney (GWS) to critically consider what the UN-WGEPAD preliminary report means for local community action.
Drawing on the themes for The International Decade for People of African Descent (2015– 2024), recognition, justice and development, distinguished panellists and guests will explore co-created solutions and strategies to translate the high-level recommendations to local level plans of action and lobby all levels of government to begin to respond meaningfully to the preliminary recommendations.
“We were honoured and excited to partner with Western Sydney University to run an event that brought together key experts from academia, community organisations, and local government services working with African communities in Greater Western Sydney and beyond to critically consider what the recommendations mean for local community action,” said Noel Zihabamwe, Founder/Chair, African Australian Advocacy Centre.
“The AAAC will continue to play a vital role in advocating for policies and initiatives that promote diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunities for African Australians across various sectors.”
In May and June, AAAC Members, Daniel Gobena and Delphine Yandamutso were invited by the UN-WGEPAD to participate in the 32nd Session of the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent in Geneva and attend conferences in Geneva and New-York.
The United Nations International Day for People of African Descent is celebrated on 31 August.
Through this Observance 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.
Media are invited to attend the launch of the African Australian Community Survey on Saturday, 12 August.
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Key Facts:
From Recommendations to Action: Local responses to the UN-WGEPAD Preliminary ReportDate: Friday, 11 August 2023
Time: 9:25am – 1:15pm AEST (light lunch after for In-Person attendees)
Location: Zoom webinar and In-Person event, Western Sydney University (by invitation only)
African Australian Community Survey Launch
Date: Saturday, 12 August 2023
Time: 2:00pm
Location: Western Sydney University, 41 Hunter St, Parramatta (this event is now at capacity)
About us:
About the African Australian Advocacy Centre
The AAAC is the new peak body representing the African Australian Communities in the area of advocacy, research, and policy outcomes in collaboration with different stakeholders including but not limited to non-profit organisations, state and federal government, business, industry, the civil sector, academia and the philanthropic sector. The African Australian Advocacy Centre has been formed as a result of ongoing consultation with African Australian communities in Australia. This plan is developed by and for African communities to address issues and concerns to improve the wellbeing of all African Australians.
About the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent
The Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent was established on 25 April 2002 by the then Commission on Human Rights, following the World Conference against Racism held in Durban in 2001. It is composed of five independent experts: Ms. Catherine S. Namakula (Uganda) current Chair-Rapporteur; Ms. Barbara G. Reynolds (Guyana) current Vice-Chair; Ms. Dominique Day (United States of America); Ms. Miriam Ekiudoko (Hungary and Mr. Sushil Raj (India). The Working Group is part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the United Nations Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the United Nations Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council's independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms. Special Procedures mandate-holders are independent human rights experts appointed by the Human Rights Council to address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. They are not UN staff and are independent from any government or organization. They serve in their individual capacity and do not receive a salary for their work.
Contact details:
For more information and for media interested in attending the Survey launch,
contact Noel Zihabamwe 0422 076 580 or Daniel Gobena at info@africanaustralianadvocacy.org.au
