United Nations' International Decade for People of African Descent 2015-2024

The United Nations' International Decade for People of African Descent, IDPAD [UN IDPADdoc A/RES/69/16] was launched in the Trusteeship Council Chamber of the United Nations in New York, USA, on the 10th of December, 2014.

"This Decade, for which the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) was designated as the lead agency, aims to strengthen actions and measures to ensure the full realisation of the economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights of people of African descent, and their full and equal participation in society.

Under the theme "Recognition, Justice and Development”, the Decade provides an operational framework to encourage States to eradicate social injustices inherited from history and to fight against racism, prejudice and racial discrimination to which people of African descent are still subjected."

The stated objectives of the International Decade for People of African Descent are to:

• Promote respect, protection and fulfilment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by people of African Descent, as recognised in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;
• Promote a greater knowledge of and respect for the diverse heritage, culture and contribution of people of African descent to the development of societies;
• Adopt and strengthen national, regional and international legal frameworks according to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and to ensure their full and effective implementation.

The International Decade in Ireland

In Ireland, the lead agency responsible for the implementation of the International Decade is the Department of Justice & Equality's Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration, which held a Public Consultation in Dublin on the 3rd of April, 2019.

The International Decade presents a once in a lifetime opportunity for descendants of people of the African continent to be in charge of the narrative about Africa, tell their own stories to the rest of the world and hope to be listened to accordingly.

Over the coming weeks, this blog will examine and discuss the stated objectives of the International Decade in detail through the Programme of activities for the implementation of the International Decade as outlined in UN Resolution A/RES/69/16.

Please, see also:

International Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024)

UN Launches International Decade for People of African Descent (for Buildup to the International Decade)

People of African Descent
Programme of Activities for the Implementation of the International Decade for People of African Descent
Statement by Flavia Pansieri, Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights at Launch of the International Decade for People of African Descent, Geneva, PN Cinema Room XIV, 16 December 2014, 5 pm – 8 pm