This month, we have decided to do something a little bit different, by focusing on what we at RESULTS are referring to as ‘anti-oppression’ – the need to address some of the deep causes of poverty and inequality, including racism. In a world where the economic, financial and political systems were created to benefit colonial powers which is something we inherit today, everyone has their own personal motivation for getting involved in ‘international development’, and trying to do something about these inequalities. This August, we are suggesting an ‘active learning action’, to explore this complex web of issues around colonialism, race, inequity and all forms of oppression.
With Parliament’s International Development Committee’s recent report into Racism in the Aid Sector, which highlighted some of the the ways that racism and a legacy of colonialism affect international development and aid, we believe it is an important time for all of us working to fight global poverty and injustice to grapple with these issues. We have produced these resources to help RESULTS advocates and local groups choose an area they are most interested in exploring further – hopefully this will kick off a lively discussion!
The conversations during our August conference call were certainly wide-ranging and well-informed, covering both efforts to end global poverty, and poverty and injustice in countries like the USA and UK. Our guest speaker was Maxine Thomas, grassroots advocate with our sister organisation RESULTS in the USA, and founding member and chair of their Anti-Oppression Council, where she leads efforts in dismantling systems of oppression by providing dialogue, resources, and action to move forward.
Links shared during the conference call:
UK Government halts non-essential aid
IDC report into Racism in the Aid Sector
UK aid cuts article by Save the Children
Blog post with recordings of National Conference sessions
RESULTS in the USA anti-oppression statement
RESULTS in the USA page on anti-oppression (including many great resources)
Greenpeace Report on racism and environmental justice