Welcome from Our CEO
The following address was given by Dr Tony Lloyd, Director of the Foundation to the Human Rights Commission in Geneva on March 19th. This event was staged to commemorate the United Nations 2002 Durban Declaration calling for an end to racism.
This address cites the forthcoming World Cup in South Africa and the London 2012 Olympics to demonstrate how sport provides an opportunity for the family of nations to come together. This address also cites the important role of NGO's and Charities such as the Anthony Walker Foundation overcoming racism and the partnership we have with Liverpool Football Club who sponsored the film 'Colour Blind'. Further information about the UN declarations on Human Rights and the Durban Declaration on Racism can be obtained from www.un.org/WCAR/durban.pdf
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Address to the UN - International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination Palais Des Nations Geneva 19th March 2010
The Anthony Walker Foundation – 'Colour Blind'
Dr Anthony Lloyd
"Madame High Commissioner, Your Excellencies, thank you for the opportunity to meet and speak with you today about the Anthony Walker Foundation. This Charity was established after the racist murder of Anthony Walker in Liverpool in 2005. The Foundation's objectives are to promote racial harmony and diversity through sport, arts and education. The AWF works primarily – though not exclusively, with young people. Our aim is to develop community cohesion, in partnership with all agencies that share our values of equality, diversity and opportunity so that every human being can realise their true potential.
"The Anthony Walker Foundation does not identify itself as 'Black / BME' charity. As an organisation that aspires to be truly inclusive, we work with any individuals, groups or organisations that share our values and objectives – and we also try to with individuals who do not share those values - including those who have been perpetrators of racism and discrimination. Indeed we currently deliver a 'Racism and Victim Empathy' programme for young people involved in anti social and racially motivated behaviour. The Foundation also provides outreach support to families who have experienced discrimination.
"The AWF undertakes much of its work with schools. This includes Family and friends of Anthony who address assemblies of young people and engaging them in 'Question and Answer' sessions. Staff and volunteers also deliver workshops on racism, diversity, and human rights. Indeed we actively promote the UN Charter for children and Young People and The UN Durban Declaration on Racism, as an integral part of our work. We appoint 'Young Ambassadors' to represent the Foundation and to work with other young people –and encourage them to consider careers with NGO's, harnessing their youthful enthusiasm at a time in their lives when they are 'values driven'.
"The Foundation provides an annual free festival of sport and the arts for young people every year. We support and work in partnership with other agencies in staging events that promote community cohesion. Indeed we are currently planning major projects to coincide with the forthcoming World Cup and in particular the London Olympics of 2012. This project has the support of those responsible in the UK for staging the 2012 Olympics in London so that as many people as possible in the UK from whatever background can share in the Olympic ideal and celebrations, utilising the interface between sport and tackling racism. We aim to engage young people in particular with the 'Olympic spirit of a Family of Nations' and celebrate this magnificent example of our common humanity. Sport and the Arts are a universal language that are easily understood and especially embraced by young people.
"When I spoke with young people from Liverpool about my visit to the United Nations in Geneva today, they told me how they were inspired by the ideals and mission of the United Nations and suggested that more should be done in schools throughout the world to make young people aware of the UN and the vital role it plays in shaping our world, and educating young people about the interdependence of nations, the equal distribution of the worlds resources for all humanity and the UN's role in bringing peace to troubled parts of the world they have inherited from the older generation.
"These young people believe that that racism should have no place in the 21st century. It is a hope and belief that inspires them to work with us to be active citizens in this endeavour. The UN and nation states and every must work tirelessly – and be seen to work tirelessly to achieve the goals of the Durban Declaration to end racism, so that young people are not disappointed or discouraged – we cannot, we must not fail them. It is their birthright.
"The UK is a culturally diverse society. Our history and the role we have played in institutionalising racism remains a challenge to our identity and to our purpose in eradicating racism and all forms of oppression and inequality. Children are not born racist. Children learn racism and oppression from adults and their peers. Their sense of deprivation and inequality of opportunity creates a need to belong to a social group that seeks refuge and compensation in the oppression of others. Their racism dis-empowers them as well as those they oppress. Isolated incidents can divide communities in such a way as it can take many years to restore a sense of trust.
"In recent years, the UK Govt has introduced legislation to protect the rights of all minorities to try and bring an end to any form of discrimination and oppression. It is my belief that however, that we must acknowledge the need for more emphasis on human rights in the education of children and young people. We cannot end the intergenerational transmission of racism, discrimination and oppression without giving greater priority to citizenship and human rights education for young people.
"The evolution of the human condition is relationship driven. This genetic imperative is most evident in children and young people. The adults on whom they depend for safety and the nurturing of their true human potential is a responsibility shared by the international community as well as parents, teachers and nation states.
"The Anthony Walker Foundation promotes reconciliation. We believe that without real human healing, the hurts of racism limit our capacity to end all forms of oppression in our societies. If all racism and oppression stopped now, it will take us many years to recover and build the global community that is – that must be our future. Globalisation, the interdependence of nations, our fragile planet and finite resources demand that we break the chain of blame and work together to achieve the goal of the Olympic Spirit. We seek to:
"Enable young people to understand that discrimination and oppression - for whatever reason are 'learned beliefs' based on ignorance. Answer their questions honestly and enable them to recognize discrimination and have the courage to challenge it.
"Enable young people to understand that discriminatory behaviour is based on mistaken notions of superiority and inferiority – driven by the mistaken values, ideals and modelled behaviour of significant others who are a majority or who have 'power'
"Enable young people to redefine 'human intelligence' for 21st century global village, so that discrimination, oppression and mistaken oppressive values and ideas about race, disability, gender, sexuality, age and gender are no longer relevant.
"Enable young people to develop an increased capacity for empathy and compassion, a respect and true appreciation of human diversity and the fragility of the human condition, and an enjoyment of shared positive human experience.
"The Anthony Walker Foundation, like many other NGO's, works to achieve the same aims and objectives of the Durban Declaration. I Echo the words of the High Commissioner in calling upon everyone to celebrate human endeavour in the forthcoming World Cup and Olympics so that through sport, let us compete to end racial discrimination.
"It is an honour and privilege to represent our Foundation, Liverpool Football Club, its captain - Steven Gerrard, and the people of Liverpool at the United Nations here in Geneva today and to convey to all of you our heartfelt appreciation for your endeavours in eliminating racism. Thank you also to Peter Gooderham the UK Ambassador for your kind support."