The Need for Goals and Targets to Achieve Justice for People of African Descent - UN Permanent Forum
My name is Barbara Horne, and I represent the AUP, an NGO under the United Nations ECOSOC, particularly within our Coalition for Economic Justice for People of African Descent. Today, I wish to highlight the crucial importance of reparatory justice for people of African descent as we project into the next decade and beyond.
As we embark on this second decade of the 21st century, it is imperative that our conversations evolve from mere recognition of injustices to the actualization of substantive justice for people of African descent. This transition is not just necessary; it is overdue. We are at a juncture where we must be able to rigorously assess our progress by answering key questions: What have we done? What are we doing? How effective have our actions been? Where must we course correct?
In response to these questions, we have initiated "The Blueprint: Goals and Targets to Achieve Justice for People of African Descent." This framework is inspired by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which, despite their limitations, offer a structured model for setting clear international objectives, initiatives, and measurable progress in both public and private sectors. "The Blueprint" not only supports but builds upon the foundations laid by the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and aligns with the recommendations of the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent, infusing antiracist objectives into the broader SDG agenda.
One critical area of "The Blueprint" focuses on ensuring reliable access to essential infrastructure—namely water, electricity, and internet—in all underserved communities of African descent by 2035. This goal is structured with clear yearly targets beginning with planning in 2024, scaling through 2030, and full replication by the target year. This approach embodies a tangible commitment to eliminating the infrastructural disparities that have historically plagued these communities.
Another pivotal goal addresses the alarming disparities in maternal mortality rates among women of African descent. "The Blueprint" commits to eliminating these disparities by 2050 through enhanced access to quality prenatal and postnatal care, expanded health education, increased funding for maternal health services, and systemic reforms to eradicate racial biases in healthcare. We propose a consistent annual reduction of 15% in maternal mortality rates among these women as a measurable and achievable target.
These examples represent just a fraction of the comprehensive list of goals and targets that we propose. They are indicative of the level of detailed planning and commitment required to move from acknowledgment of past injustices to the realization of future justice.
Therefore, we urge the Permanent Forum to advocate vigorously for these and other specific goals and targets. By establishing clear benchmarks, we can effectively monitor our journey from where we have been, to where we stand now, and how best to advance toward a just future for people of African descent.
Thank you for this opportunity to address this critical issue at the Summit of the Future.
Barbara Horne
Board AUP
Information and Technology Office, AUP
United Nations Rep, AUP
AUP Coalition
My name is Barbara Horne, and I represent the AUP, an NGO under the United Nations ECOSOC, particularly within our Coalition for Economic Justice for People of African Descent. Today, I wish to highlight the crucial importance of reparatory justice for people of African descent as we project into the next decade and beyond.
As we embark on this second decade of the 21st century, it is imperative that our conversations evolve from mere recognition of injustices to the actualization of substantive justice for people of African descent. This transition is not just necessary; it is overdue. We are at a juncture where we must be able to rigorously assess our progress by answering key questions: What have we done? What are we doing? How effective have our actions been? Where must we course correct?
In response to these questions, we have initiated "The Blueprint: Goals and Targets to Achieve Justice for People of African Descent." This framework is inspired by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which, despite their limitations, offer a structured model for setting clear international objectives, initiatives, and measurable progress in both public and private sectors. "The Blueprint" not only supports but builds upon the foundations laid by the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and aligns with the recommendations of the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent, infusing antiracist objectives into the broader SDG agenda.
One critical area of "The Blueprint" focuses on ensuring reliable access to essential infrastructure—namely water, electricity, and internet—in all underserved communities of African descent by 2035. This goal is structured with clear yearly targets beginning with planning in 2024, scaling through 2030, and full replication by the target year. This approach embodies a tangible commitment to eliminating the infrastructural disparities that have historically plagued these communities.
Another pivotal goal addresses the alarming disparities in maternal mortality rates among women of African descent. "The Blueprint" commits to eliminating these disparities by 2050 through enhanced access to quality prenatal and postnatal care, expanded health education, increased funding for maternal health services, and systemic reforms to eradicate racial biases in healthcare. We propose a consistent annual reduction of 15% in maternal mortality rates among these women as a measurable and achievable target.
These examples represent just a fraction of the comprehensive list of goals and targets that we propose. They are indicative of the level of detailed planning and commitment required to move from acknowledgment of past injustices to the realization of future justice.
Therefore, we urge the Permanent Forum to advocate vigorously for these and other specific goals and targets. By establishing clear benchmarks, we can effectively monitor our journey from where we have been, to where we stand now, and how best to advance toward a just future for people of African descent.
Thank you for this opportunity to address this critical issue at the Summit of the Future.
Barbara Horne
Board AUP
Information and Technology Office, AUP
United Nations Rep, AUP
AUP Coalition
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