GAC - Bridgetown Protocol



		THE BRIDGETOWN PROTOCOL HOME TABLE OF CONTENTS PART IV - RESOLUTIONS Resolutions Adopted by the Conference A) BARBADOS GOVERNMENT RESOLUTION B) DONATION OF FUNDS RESOLUTION C) COMMISSION OF PAN-AFRICAN AFFAIRS RESOLUTION D) MAURITANIA & SUDAN RESOLUTION E) MEDIA LITERACY RESOLUTION F) MUHADHARA WA JAMII RESOLUTION G) PLEDGE RESOLUTION H) REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS RESOLUTION I) AFRICVILLE COMPENSATION RESOLUTION J) IMAGE OF CHRIST RESOLUTION K) STEERING COMMITTEE MANDATE RESOLUTION L) UNIVERSAL DAY OF HOPE TRUST RESOLUTION M) WORKING GROUPS RESOLUTION N) ZIMBABWE RESOLUTION O) PRESS RELEASE P) THE NETHERLANDS RESOLUTION Resolutions adopted by AAD WCAR Bridgetown, Barbados, 6 October 2002 A) BARBADOS GOVERNMENT RESOLUTION The first World Conference of Afrikans and Afrikan Descendants (AAD), attended by over 600 paying delegates from all regions of the world, commend the Barbados government for its bold step in hosting and supporting this historic post-Durban gathering of Afrikan and Afrikan Descendant peoples. We also wish to acknowledge the significant role played by the government and people of Barbados in the success of, and significant gains made at every stage of the process for, the World Conference Against Racism. While we recognize and acknowledge that the decisions of the majority of the delegates attending this conference may not have been in keeping with the official policy of the Barbados government, it is important to bear in mind that NGO caucuses and conferences can, and have in the past, often entertained views that are divergent to those of government. While it is unfortunate that some delegates chose to withdraw from the conference, it is important to note that the decision of the conference delegates does not reflect the standing policy of the Central Organizing Committee. The conference delegates would like to state that the decision to have a private meeting is a critical first step as AAD begin the healing process for the trauma caused by slavery and its lingering effects over the past 500 years. The conference delegates reiterate their gratitude to the Barbados government, the Commission on Pan African Affairs and Conference Against Racism – Barbados for their generous support. We look forward to their continued support as Afrikan peoples begin the process of establishing and developing an international organization for Afrikans and Afrikan Descendants. CARRIED: By Majority of Delegates B) DONATION OF FUNDS RESOLUTION Be it resolved that delegates at the first World Conference of Afrikans and Afrikan Descendants agree that 5% of the funds that were collected be donated to a Barbadian NGO such as the HIV/AIDS Society of Barbados. CARRIED: By Majority of Delegates C) COMMISSION OF PAN-AFRICAN AFFAIRS RESOLUTION Be it resolved that the Delegates of the Afrika and Afrikan Descendants Conference, “Repairing The Damage – Redressing The Injustice”: Recognize the Commission for Pan African Affairs of Barbados as one of the most valuable and effective structures in the world that has been mandated to pursue a Pan-Afrikan program which is a historic development; Acknowledge the courage and foresight of the government for establishing the Commission For Pan-African Affairs: Recognize the Commission as an inspiration to all throughout the world, as it serves as a beacon of hope for realizing the mission and goal of Pan-Afrikanism; Applaud the effort of David Comissiong, Director of the Pan-Afrikan Commission, under who’s leadership and strong, uncompromising force in the United Nations, unheard Afrikan voices now feel empowered; Recognize the development and work of the Commission as a model to be replicated across the globe; Appreciate the work of the Commission in providing support for the facilitation of this conference in addition to the remarkable leadership on behalf of Pan-Afrikanists at the World Conference Against Racism in Durban; Acknowledge that there will be many forces that will attempt to destabilize and sabotage the proceedings of the Commission, and that, as Delegates, we would deplore any adverse actions against the Director and the Commission for Pan-African Affairs; Reassure the Government of Barbados that there remains ongoing support and respect for the Commission by people of Afrikan Descent throughout the Diaspora; Encourage the Government of Barbados to continue its support for the Commission for Pan-African Affairs and its vital international work; and Reaffirm the solidarity, support and commitment of the international AAD community of activists and those engaged in the struggle for Afrikan liberation to maintain and strengthen the Commission for Pan-African Affairs. CARRIED: By Majority of Delegates D) MAURITANIA & SUDAN RESOLUTION Be it resolved that the delegates attending the first World Conference of Afrikans and Afrikan Descendants denounce and condemn all forms of slavery and the destruction of Black Afrikan culture by forced Arabization in Mauritania and Sudan. In accordance with Paragraph 29 of the Durban Declaration and Program of Action, we demand that the governments of Mauritania and Sudan take immediate steps to adopt legislation and implement effective measures to eradicate all forms of slavery and slavery-like practices in their respective countries. We urge all governments, international institutions and civil society to pressure Mauritania and Sudan to immediately end the enslavement of Afrikan peoples and to send an independent fact finding mission to assess the breadth and scope of these gross human rights violations and indignities. CARRIED: By Majority of Delegates E) MEDIA LITERACY RESOLUTION It has come to the attention of this body that electronic media forms the premier mechanism of propaganda distribution in the post-industrial world. As such, this body recognizes that the images and languages transmitted to a global audience contribute to the way Afrikans and Afrikan Descendants are perceived across the world. It has further come to the attention of this body that understanding the complex manipulation of images and languages in the media is thusly called: media literacy. From an Afrikan-centric point of view, media literacy must comprise a clear understanding of how electronic media is used to: 1. Devalue the historic and contemporary contributions of Afrikans and Afrikan Descendants. 2. Create an adverse bias regarding the complex nuances within the Afrikan and Diaspora communities. 3. Portray key personalities within the Afrikan and Diaspora communities with negative “spins.” Finally, it has come to the attention of this body that language and image must be addressed, each in isolation. Therefore, BE IT RESOLVED that this body plunges itself headfirst into the process of increasing a global awareness of how the languages used in media must be addressed as a key component of the liberation of Afrikans and Afrikan descendents worldwide. BE IT RESOLVED that this body calls for the creation of an Afrikan-centric, multi lingual style guide, which addresses the use of correct terms and languages to address the individuals comprising the Afrikan and Diaspora world. BE IT RESOLVED that this body calls upon media outlets worldwide to incorporate this Afrikan-centric style guide into regular use upon completion and final approval by this body. BE IT RESOLVED that this body calls upon recording artists and key executives within the recording industry worldwide, to desist from using the word “nigger” in their sound recordings because of the psychological damage the word has inflicted upon Afrikans and Afrikan Descendants worldwide. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this body calls upon educators and key education officials across the globe to incorporate media literacy courses within elementary, middle, and high school curricula. Such curricula would place deliberate and specific emphasis upon an Afrikan-centric model of media literacy. CARRIED: By Majority of Delegates F) MUHADHARA WA JAMII RESOLUTION Be it resolved that the delegates at the first World Conference of Afrikans and Afrikan Descendants agree that all future meetings will be comprised of the following: 1. A Muhdahara Wa Jamii (a Swahili term meaning “A Family in Gathering”). The Muhdahara Wa Jamii meetings will afford Afrikans and Afrikan Descendants a space whereby their cultural privacy will be acknowledged and respected; and, 2. Conferences which will be open to the general public to attend. CARRIED: By Majority of Delegates G) PLEDGE RESOLUTION The Conference agrees that all members of the Global Afrikan Congress, should pledge the following loyalty to the organization: We pledge allegiance to the new Global Afrikan Congress. We will respect it! We will defend it with all our strength and courage! We will never betray the Global Afrikan Congress! And we will spare no effort to develop the Global Afrikan Congress in the interest and for the benefit of all Afrikan peoples! CARRIED: By Majority of Delegates H) REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS RESOLUTION Be it resolved that the delegates at the first World Conference of Afrikans and Afrikan Descendants accept the final reports and recommendations submitted by each of the Conference Working Groups. CARRIED: By Majority of Delegates I) AFRICVILLE COMPENSATION RESOLUTION The People of Africville, Nova Scotia, Canada, a community of Afrikans dating back to the 1700’s submit a resolution for consideration by the Central Organizing Committee of the Afrikans and Afrikan Descendents World Conference Against Racism. Whereas the racist destruction of Africville would not have been possible were it not for the Transatlantic Slave Trade; and Whereas the destruction was orchestrated by international and Canadian businesses and their agents at all levels of the government of Canada and England; and Whereas the destruction of Africville, in addition to slavery, has traumatized and continues to traumatize the people of Africville and their descendents to this day; and Whereas all levels of the Canadian government, C.N. Rail, Nova Scotia Power, and Port Canada, are just a few benefactors from the suffering of the people of Africville; and Whereas $500,000 was allotted to repair the damages to the community of Africville, and assist the people of Africville with critical medical care following the Halifax explosion of 1917; and Whereas the people of Africville and their community have yet to receive the $500,000 or any part thereof, as further documented in lawsuits initiated over ten years ago; and Whereas the people of Africville were charged taxes as any other landowner, but received less than one percent of the public services provided to all other surrounding white communities, while paying 100% of their share of all taxes; and Whereas Africville, Nova Scotia had numerous toxic waste sites designated by the government and their agencies, within walking distance of Africville properties, including schools, churches, and homes Therefore, be it resolved that the Afrikans and Afrikan Descendents World Conference Against Racism, October 1st – 6th 2002, supports the lawsuit filed by the People of Africville and their descendents against the City of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada for compensation for the illegal destruction of their community. CARRIED: By Majority of Delegates J) IMAGE OF CHRIST RESOLUTION Approved at the Afrikans and Afrikan Descendants World Conference Against Racism in Barbados on October 5th 2002. Whereas, the portrayal of the Christ in images of Caucasian flesh constitutes an oppressive instrument destructive to the self-esteem of Black people throughout the world and is directly destructive to the psychological well-being of Black Children; And whereas, the Afrikans and Afrikan Descendants World Conference Against Racism recognizes that the persistent exposure to such images is particularly damaging to immature Black minds; Be it resolved, that this Afrikans and Afrikan Descendants World Conference Against Racism recommends the removal of Caucasoid images of Jesus Christ from public display and from places of worship, particular in settings where immature Black minds are likely to be exposed. Be it also resolved, that this conference strongly condemn the decision of the Barbados Community Foundation to bring and stage the British play Jesus Christ Superstar to Barbados, portraying Jesus Christ as a white man to Black children on October 23rd, 2002. K) STEERING COMMITTEE MANDATE RESOLUTION Be it resolved that the Interim International Steering Committee of the Global Afrikan Congress is mandated to work on the following: 1. Develop an international structure for a permanent organization of Afrikans and Afrikan Descendants. 2. Ensure that a constitution is drafted for approval at the next conference of Afrikans and Afrikan Descendants. 3. Establish an international network of communication (i.e. Database, Listserve, Website). 4. Convene meetings with local communities to obtain input into the draft constitution of the organization. 5. Consolidate already existing AAD initiatives. 6. Seek resources to fund the organization. 7. Establish an interim Secretariat whose primary function in the interim stage will be the dissemination of information and helping AAD at the regional level. 8. Plan the second World Conference of Afrikans and Afrikan Descendants. 9. Establish a Council of Elders. 10. Encourage and where possible facilitate regional/national/local meetings of AAD. 11. Use the framework document prepared by the Working Group on Organizational Structure as the primary document to guide the work of the Interim Steering Committee. 12. Each regional representative on the International Interim Steering Committee is mandated to establish national and regional networks of organizations and activists and to immediately authorize these networks to begin implementing the agenda of the Global Afrikan Congress in their respective regions. These national and regional networks will utilize and be guided by the programs of action developed by the Working Groups, including the Working Group on Structure. Regional representatives are also mandated to receive proposals and recommendations from these networks, and to incorporate such proposals and recommendations into the work of the International Interim Steering Committee. CARRIED: By Majority of Delegates L) UNIVERSAL DAY OF HOPE TRUST RESOLUTION WHEREAS, in 1492, Christopher Columbus’s expedition set sail from Europe in a desperate effort to find wealth and other resources, which he believed existed outside of Europe; and whereas, in so doing he landed in the Americas on the 12th October, 1492, after which date Europeans have sought new ways to expand their resources and satisfy their own desires through the exploitation of indigenous populations; And whereas, exploitation through expansionism has led to wars, conflict and human suffering of an unacceptably high level since October 12, 1492; And whereas, since October 12, 1492 the hope of prosperity has evolved from the idea of one race overcoming another (leading to social injustices such as exploitation and slavery) to the establishment of nations, which have become interdependent on one another; And whereas, technological development has served to educate and inform nations, leading to a consciousness of mankind which desires peace, justice and the pursuit of happiness, evidenced by the tearing down of the Berlin Wall, an end to the Cold War, detente between the Jews and the Palestinians, the laying down of arms on the part of Britain and the IRA, and the end of apartheid; And whereas, the foregoing and/or other events signal the greatest attempt that man has made towards achieving peace, stability and security; Be it resolved, that for the purpose of rectification and in the spirit of the world becoming a zone of peace that the August Assembly of United Nations set aside the 12th day of October, to be observed worldwide as the Universal Day of Hope, especially to promote truth, social justice, world peace, economic and political cooperation between nations and the elimination of ideological warfare and of environmental destruction. M) WORKING GROUPS RESOLUTION Be it resolved that the Chairperson from each Working Group conducted at the first World Conference for Afrikans and Afrikan Descendants will form a committee made up of 5 members of their respective Working Group. Each committee is mandated to maintain and further develop the network of organizations and activists that were established on the particular theme for which that Working Group and its Chairperson had responsibility. Each Working Group will also develop and implement at least one international project over the next 2 years. CARRIED: By Majority of Delegates N) ZIMBABWE RESOLUTION Be it resolved that delegates at the first Afrikans and Afrikan Descendants World Conference, “Repairing the Damage/Redressing the Injustice” recognize President Robert Mugabe and the Government of Zimbabwe as the only structure mandated to deal with the Land Reform Program of Zimbabwe. We applaud and support the courage and foresight of President Mugabe for embarking upon the Land Reform Program in Zimbabwe. We reaffirm the solidarity, support and commitment of the international community of Black Activists to those Zimbabweans engaged in the struggle for freedom and reclaim of their land. CARRIED: By Majority of Delegates O) PRESS RELEASE On behalf of the Conference Against Racism Barbados (CARB), the Central Organizing Committee (COC) and the Global Afrikan Congress (GAC), we the undersigned wish to make the following official statement. 1. There are no official figures as to what the outstanding debt from the Conference is at this time. We are still in the process of completing the official audit of the Conference. It is therefore, premature for anyone to suggest that the Conference has any particular debt. 2. There is currently a fundraising campaign underway to raise funds for all aspects and operation of the Global Afrikan Congress. 3. The Global Afrikan Congress has already demonstrated by its actions a commitment to fundraise. 4. Despite what other sources may have said, as representatives of CARB, COC and GAC, we the undersigned wish to state and make it very clear that in the event that a debt may exist, CARB, COC and GAC will not be depending on non-Afrikan organizations and/or individuals to pay off any debt related to the Conference. ____________________________________ Bridgetown, Barbados, 6 October 2002 ____________________________________ Dr. Jewel Crawford, Chairperson, COC ____________________________________ Philip Knight, Vice President, CARB ____________________________________ Cikiah Thomas, Chairperson, GAC P) THE NETHERLANDS RESOLUTION Be it resolved that the Afrikans and Afrikan Descendants World Conference Against Racism (AAD WCAR) 2002, supports the international justice campaign against Netherlands, for colonizing and systematizing the criminal trade in Afrikans from the islands of Curacao and Saint Eustatius; and for organizing the largest slave markets of the Americas from these islands; for operating a slave punishment killing field in the salt pans of the island of Bonaire; for violently smothering in blood the freedom struggle led by the great and heroic Tula and Karpata; for exploiting and violently colonizing Indonesia by means of repeated massacres and policies of genocide; for colonialism and slavery in Suriname, possibly one of the most cruel systems of oppression and exploitation ever witnessed by humankind; and for operating a slave punishment killing field for violently smothering in blood the freedom struggle led by the great and heroic Kodjo, Mentor and Present, and many more of our ancestors Be it further resolved that the AAD WCAR 2002 supports the following outcomes of the campaign: The Netherlands to be held accountable, prosecuted, condemned and held to provide Reparations for Indonesia, Surinam, Aruba and the Antilles and to all the descendants of the survivors of Dutch slavery and colonialism; reparation monies to be deposited into a Reparations Fund which will be utilized for housing, education, medical care, socio-economic, cultural and scientific purposes; the governments and peoples of the above mentioned countries to be the beneficiaries and trustees of the Reparations Fund. 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