THE BRIDGETOWN PROTOCOL
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TABLE OF CONTENTSPART I - ACTIVITY REPORT
Introduction
Program – Overview of Plenaries
Side Events
Media
Interim Working Committee Members
AAD WCAR Secretariat, Committees and Volunteers
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INTRODUCTIONTo fully appreciate and understand the achievements and outcomes of the Afrikans and Afrikan Descendants World Conference Against Racism (AAD WCAR) in Barbados, it is important to take into account the more than two year long process preceding it. Below is a brief overview of some of the international work which laid a foundation for AAD WCAR.
PREPARATION PROCESS FOR UN WCAR
The Afrikans and Afrikan Descendants World Conference Against Racism (AAD WCAR) was born out of the concerted efforts of representatives from Afrikan and Afrikan Descendant Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) from around the world and their involvement in the United Nation World Conference Against Racism (UN WCAR) 31 August - 7 September 2001 in Durban, South Afrika. People from all corners of the Pan-Afrikan world were involved in the preparation process which began more than a year prior to the Durban Conference. An Afrikan and Afrikan Descendant Caucus (AADC) convened at each of the preparatory and inter-sessional working group meetings for the UN WCAR in Geneva, and at the regional preparatory meetings in Santiago and Strasbourg. Also, an Afrikan regional preparatory conference was hosted by Senegal and produced the Dakar Declaration.
The series of preparatory meetings gave Afrikan and Afrikan Descendant NGO representatives an opportunity to participate in the drafting of the NGO document and the Youth document, as well as the possibility to articulate the interests, concerns and aspirations of Afrikan people to the UN community.
A major development in the ability of Afrikans and Afrikan Descendants to independently organize was the international Afrikans and Afrikan Descendants Conference held in Vienna, Austria in April 2001. The Vienna Conference produced a groundbreaking declaration which eloquently articulated and delineated many key positions which would be read and advocated by Afrikans and Afrikan Descendants throughout the WCAR process. Prior to the conference in Durban, Afrikan youth NGOs met in Rwanda and developed the Kigali Afrikan Youth Declaration.
Although face-to-face discussions were the primary form of Caucus work, Caucus members communicated between meetings through listserves. The Caucus leadership was reconstituted at each of the preparatory meetings. The Caucus organization and leadership was based on representation from Afrika, Europe, South and Central America, the Caribbean, Canada and the United States.
THE WCAR CONFERENCE IN DURBAN
The WCAR in Durban produced a Declaration and Program of Action which was officially agreed to and accepted by 168 nation states. The outcome of the UN WCAR represented a significant achievement for all Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) that were members of the Afrikan and Afrikan Descendant Caucus.
Afrikans and Afrikan Descendants attending the UN WCAR played a significant role in ensuring that many declarations of principle, key demands, and project proposals, fundamental to the nations and peoples of Afrika and the Afrikan Diaspora, found a place in the “Durban Declaration and Program of Action”. The adoption of a declaration acknowledging that the Transatlantic Slave Trade was a crime against humanity was clearly the greatest victory during the UN WCAR. Issues of critical importance to Afrikans and Afrikan Descendants were also highlighted in the declarations and plans of action adopted by the NGO Forum and the International Youth Summit, prior to the WCAR inter-governmental conference.
At the close of the conference, the critical question concerning everyone involved was – “where do we go from here?” Many of the measures called for in the Program of Action required concrete work and involvement by the NGOs of Afrika and the Afrikan Diaspora. The Caribbean Caucus, which included Barbados, accepted the proposal for an immediate follow-up conference to Durban. The Congress Against Racism, Barbados Inc. (formerly the Barbados NGO Committee for The UN WCAR), on behalf of the Caribbean Caucus, sent out a call, inviting all Afrikan and Afrikan Descendant NGOs to a follow-up conference in Barbados, 2-6 October 2002.
PREPARATION PROCESS FOR THE AAD WCAR
The Congress Against Racism Barbados (C.A.R.B.) established a conference secretariat under the leadership of Rev. Aaron Larrier. An international Central Organizing Committee (COC), chaired by Dr. Jewel Crawford, was also established. Representatives from Afrika, Europe, Caribbean and North America were involved in the planning process for the conference. The preparation process was supported by the Barbados Government’s Commission for Pan African Affairs, under the leadership of David Commissiong, who served as an advisor to the COC. The COC, with the assistance of C.A.R.B. took on the planning of fundraising, publicity, logistics and program coordination. Regional coordinators promoted the conference and assisted delegates from their respective regions in the preparation for AAD WCAR.
OBJECTIVES OF THE AAD WCAR
The conference was called with three specific main objectives:
1. To scrutinize the inter-governmental Durban Declaration and Program of Action and to identify and prioritise those demands, measures and proposed projects of critical importance to the nations, communities and people of Afrika and the Afrikan Diaspora;
2. To adopt detailed strategies designed to implement the demands, measures and proposed projects identified; and
3. To establish and launch a permanent global Pan-Afrikan NGO organization with the mandate of implementing the strategies adopted.
WORKING METHODS OF THE CONFERENCE
Every morning, delegates assembled in plenary, opening with a libation ceremony, invoking the spiritual dimension. The plenary served as a communication forum where the work for the day was outlined, messages and presentations were given and matters taken up for general discussion and vote.
Since AAD WCAR set out to be a practical conference, delegates spent a major part of the conference participating in thematic working groups. The groups met on a daily basis and were expected to develop concrete recommendations and solutions to a wide range of themes.
There were 14 thematic working groups scheduled:
a) Economic and Community Development
b) Gender
c) Globalization
d) Labour
e) Media
f) Reparations
g) Health and Environment
h) Reform of Judicial, Legal and Penal Systems
i) Critical Youth Programs
(The youth delegates decided that they would not only be a separate Working Group. To give youth a representative voice they made sure they had youth representation in all Working Groups and also met as a Caucus in their own time)
j) Spirituality, Culture, Art and Religion
k) Education
l) National, Regional and International Oversight
m) Decolonization
(This theme was incorporated into the Globalization and Reparations Working Groups) n) Remembering the Maafa (This theme was changed from Working Group to Plenary Presentation)A Structure Working Committee was also created to work on recommendations for an international congress of Afrikans and Afrikan Descendants; The Global Afrikan Congress.
Regional Caucus meetings were held twice during the conference. These meetings addressed specific regional concerns, discussed methods of mobilisation and made decisions on regional representation.
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PROGRAM - OVERVIEW OF PLENARIESOPENING CEREMONY
The welcome and opening was done by Elder Glenroy Straughn, followed by a libation ceremony and oral history presentation rendered by Phavia Kujichagulia. Speakers included Rev. Aaron Larrier (President of Congress Against Racism – Barbados), David Commissiong (Director of Commission of Pan-African Affairs), Dr. Jewel Crawford (Chairperson of Central Organizing Committee), Cikiah Thomas (North-American representative), Dulce Mariz Pereira (Latin-American representative), Dr. Michael B. Unuane (Afrikan representative), Sekou Tafari (Caribbean representative), Rev. Hewelette Andrews (European representative) and Peter Flegel (youth representative). Participants were also addressed by the Honourable Mia Mottley, Attorney General of the Barbados Government. An educational and spectacular cultural program included dancers, drummers, singers and musicians from Sankofa Productions and actors from Elegba Productions. Approximately 1000 people, including many Barbadian nationals and members of the international, diplomatic community attended the Opening Ceremony.
BUSINESS SESSION AND PLENARY BRIEFINGS
Delegates assembled daily in the plenary hall. Following libation ceremonies, delegates received an overview of the work for the day. In some of the plenaries, interventions from the floor were made, and motions would be voted on.
One vote taken on the first day caused much controversy and distorted reporting in the press. The call for the AAD WCAR was directed at Afrikan and Afrikan Descendant NGO delegates. However, the COC met in preparation for the conference and found that although it would not be relevant to have non-Afrikan speakers or presenters, non-Afrikan delegates could be accommodated as observers. On the first morning, a motion was presented from the floor that the conference reaffirm that the conference was for Afrikans and Afrikan Descendants only. The grounds were that the conference set out to discuss painful and sensitive issues (traumas of slavery, colonialism and discrimination) which called for cultural privacy. Also it was felt that, after coming out of the UN WCAR, which was a multi-cultural conference, Afrikans and Afrikan Descendants were entitled to a family gathering discussing matters of specific concern to their own communities.
After delegates were given a chance to speak both in favour of and against the motion, it was put to a vote and received overwhelming support by the vast majority of the conference delegates. The COC decided that they would respect the decision made by the delegates and a handful of non-Afrikan delegates were informed that they could not participate. Most of the non-Afrikan delegates accepted the position. Efforts were made to involve the contribution from non-Afrikan delegates in consultative ally-groups. However, a few non-Afrikans did not regard this as an option and decided to leave. Unfortunately, the media reported the decision as a matter of exclusion based on racist views. Ironically, these claims were made predominantly by non-Afrikan Barbadians who were not registered for the conference and never had expressed any interest in attending the conference.
Later in the conference, as a result of the decision on participation, some delegates decided that they, as a matter of principle, could not attend a conference seen to exclude someone from participating. This stand applied to some ten Afrikan and Afrikan Descendant delegates who decided to leave. The COC regretted that the media portrayal of the matter got distorted and made it difficult for some delegates to stay at the conference, even after long consultations with them. The leadership made it clear all along that the decision made by conference delegates had nothing to do with racist views or negative attitudes towards any people; but it was simply a matter of reserving the right for cultural privacy.
The decision on Afrikan and Afrikan Descendant participation only did not apply to interpreters who had already been contracted by the Secretariat, or journalists, who were welcome in all plenaries, regardless of background.
CLOSING CEREMONY
On the last evening, a closing ceremony was featured to mark the achievements and progress made during the AAD WCAR. Master of Ceremonies, Philip Knight, guided the audience through a program which included speeches by David Commissiong, Aaron Larrier, Elder Glenroy Straughn, Elder Philip Moore and Elissa Younge. Phavia Kujichagulia conducted the libation and a oral history presentation. Poetry and cultural performances were rendered by Winston Farwell and dancers, singers and musicians from Sankofa Productions.
_________________________________ United Against Racism (from Trinidad & Tobago) volunteered to coordinate support group meetings where people were given an opportunity to talk about how they have been, and continue to be, affected by racism. The sessions were well attended every day.
At the conference venue there was an Afrikan market place, where various traders offered a wide selection of books, crafts, clothes and art. There were also exhibitions, portraying historical aspects of Afrikan people internationally.
The Israel Lovell Foundation and Youth Caucus members hosted an Open Mic Session in the Sugar Mill Restaurant, where artistic delegates shared their talents in poetry, song and music.
Two buses were made available for a sightseeing tour of Barbados, during which the delegates were treated to a taste of Barbados’ beautiful landscape and rich culture.
_________________________________ In preparation for the conference, the newspapers of Barbados carried anticipatory articles, marking the conference as a significant moment in the country’s history, and invitations to encourage the local populace to attend. However, during the conference, both newspapers and broadcasting media gave much negative press on the conference’s decision to meet as Afrikans and Afrikan Descendants only. The decision was portrayed as an issue of exclusion and counter-racism that could be potentially damaging to Barbados’ tourist industry. Although members of COC and C.A.R.B. met with the media on several occasions to clarify this issue, the media did not seem to have the same keen interest in reporting on all the achievements and progress made at the conference. However, there were several articles in the newspapers that demonstrated the historic nature and the major successes of the conference. Dr Jewel Crawford and Mr David Commissiong, and various conference delegates, also appeared on TV and radio shows to relate the positive and productive work of the conference.
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INTERIM WORKING COMMITTEE MEMBERSOn the last day of the conference, delegates met in Regional Caucuses to elect representatives to the Global Afrikan Congress Interim Working Committee. The delegates decided that each region of the global community would be served by two members, with the exception of Afrika, which would have five members. The committee would also have two youth representatives.
The following representatives were elected:
Afrika:
Bona Okigbo (Nigeria, West Afrika): thecenter@law.com
Sabelo Sibanda (Zimbabwe, Southern Afrika): beloas@avu.org
Omer Kebiwou Kalameu (Central Afrikan Republic, Central Afrika): omerkebiwou@yahoo.com
James Dennis Akumu (Kenya, Eastern Afrika): dakumu@yahoo.com
(North Afrika representative to be announced)North America:
Cikiah Thomas (Canada): cikiah.t@sympatico.ca
Dorothy B. Lewis (U.S.A.): oravouche@aol.comSouth America:
Sidney Francis (Nicaragua): sidney@datatex.com.ni
Ethelbert G. Mapp (Panama): emapp@cc.global.net.paCaribbean:
Philip Knight (Barbados): phiknight@hotmail.com
Violet Jean-Baptiste (Guyana): acdaguy@solutions2000.netEurope:
Esther Ekua Stanford (United Kingdom): estherstanford@hotmail.com
Barryl Biekman (The Netherlands): biekman-b@dataweb.nlAsia/Oceania:
Dr Casta Tungaraza (Australia): casta@central.murdoch.edu.au
Pio Emosi Manoa (Fiji): Pio.Manoa@fj.greenpeace.orgYouth:
Carl Lee Best (Barbados): mandingo272@hotmail.com
Asha Noel (Canada): asha_noel@hotmail.com
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AAD WCAR SECRETARIAT, COMMITTEES AND VOLUNTEERSCentral Organizing Committee (COC) Members:
The Central Organizing Committee (COC), the international structure planning and preparing for the Barbados conference was comprised of:
Dr Jewel Crawford (Chairperson) USA
Rev. Aaron Larrier - Barbados
Cikiah Thomas - Canada
Barbara Arnwine - USA
Desire Timngum - South Afrika
Esther Stanford - United Kingdom
Martha Colon - Honduras
Muntu Matsimela - USA
Roger Wareham - USA
Barbara B. Hannah - Jamaica
Amani Olubanjo Buntu - South AfrikaCongress Against Racism – Barbados, Inc. (C.A.R.B.):
The Congress Against Racism – Barbados, Inc. (C.A.R.B.) served as Secretariat for the AAD WCAR. C.A.R.B. is a coalition of organizations made up of the following groups:
The Universal Day of Hope Trust (UDOHT), represented by Rev. Aaron Larrier, President
The Society for The Resettlement of Caribbean Nationals (SRCN), represented by Mrs. Marvine Holder, Secretary
The Ichirouganaim Council for the Advancement of Rastafari (ICAR), represented by Ras Iral Jabari Talma, Treasurer
DAWN Caribbean, represented by Sis. Keturah Babb, Assistant Secretary/Treasurer
The Pan-African Movement of Barbados (PAMOB), represented by Mr. Glenroy Straughn, Public Relations Officer (PRO)
The Clement Payne Movement (CPM), represented by Mr. Leroy Campbell, Assistant PROSpecial Advisor: Mr. David Comissiong, Commission of Pan African Affairs
Conference Staff, Supporters and Volunteers - Barbados:
Rev. Aaron Larrier - Director
Leroy Campbell - Director
Kethura Babb - Director
Philip Knight - Director
Ras Iral Jabari Talma - Director
Marvene Holder - Director
Elder Glenroy Straughn - Director
Jerry Archer - Secretariat
Jonathan Adams - Secretariat
David Denny - Secretariat
Sharon Rock - Secretariat/Photography
Abigail Wickham - Logistics Co-ordinator
Annette Nias - Conference Centre Co-ordinator
Andrea King - Media
Adrian Greene - Media
Ladepoo Salankey - Media/Security
Tony Squires - Conference Security
Tony Cheeseman and Tony Thompson - Opening and Closing Ceremonies
Danny Diallo Seitu Hinds - Cultural Program
Amanda Cumberbatch - Chief Rapporteur_________________________________
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