our work
The Permanent Forum on People of African Descent
PFPAD
The International Civil Society Working Group (ICSWG) for the PFPAD on December 5-8, 2022 more than 600 members of civil society converged in Geneva for the formal launch of the United Nations Permanent Forum on People of African Descent (PFPAD).
This convening, the product of years of advocacy by people of African descent, marked a significant historical moment and presents an historic opportunity for people of African descent around the world. The International Civil Society Working Group (ICSWG) for the PFPAD is a formation of civil society individuals and organizations from around the world working toward the establishment of a strong and effective Permanent Forum of People of African Descent. Since the resolution to establish the Permanent Forum was established in 2021, this working group has mobilized civil society, hosted events to spread knowledge and awareness of the Permanent Forum and worked closely with partners, groups, and communities to advocate for the Permanent Forum to be well-resourced, supported, well attended, and impactful. The ICSWG utilizes several mechanisms to carry out its mission including monthly general meetings, seven subcommittees that carry out the working group’s objectives, and developing mechanisms to promote transparent and democratic processes for the PFPAD to engage civil society.
The Permanent Forum has the following mandate:
To contribute to the full political, economic and social inclusion of people of African descent in the societies in which they live as equal citizens without discrimination of any kind and contribute to ensuring equal enjoyment of all human rights;
To provide, in coordination with existing mechanisms, expert advice and recommendations to the Human Rights Council, the Main Committees of the General Assembly and organs, programmes, funds and agencies of the United Nations aimed at addressing challenges of all the scourges of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and all their contemporary forms and manifestations confronted by people of African descent and that impede the full and effective realization and enjoyment of all their human rights and fundamental freedoms;
To consider the elaboration of a United Nations declaration on the promotion, protection and full respect of the human rights of people of African descent;
To identify and analyze best practices, challenges, opportunities and initiatives to address, as appropriate, the issues highlighted in the provisions of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action relevant to people of African descent;
To monitor and review progress on the effective implementation of the programme of activities of the International Decade for People of African Descent, and to this end gather relevant information from Governments, United Nations bodies and organs, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations and other relevant sources;
To request the preparation and dissemination of information by the United Nations system on issues relating to people of African descent and promote a greater knowledge of and respect for the diverse heritage, culture and contribution of people of African descent to the development of societies;
To raise awareness and promote integration and coordination of activities of agencies, funds and programmes relating to people of African descent within the United Nations system;
To support the coordination of programmes aimed at the socioeconomic development of communities and people of African descent, and to examine the urgent global need to establish adequate channels to obtain data disaggregated by income, sex, age, race, ethnicity, migratory status, disability, geographical location and other characteristics relevant in national contexts, to enable the systematic design and collection of and access to high-quality, reliable and timely disaggregated data and gender statistics, conducive to the better execution of public policies in relation to people of African descent;
To offer advice and recommendations on matters concerning the protection, promotion and respect of all human rights of people of African descent, and to undertake any specific task as requested by the Human Rights Council or the General Assembly.
