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UNESCO's 4th Global Forum: Tackling Racism and Discrimination with Caribbean Voices Leading the Way
Despite significant strides toward global equality, racism and discrimination continue to undermine efforts to achieve , threatening the principles of human dignity, social justice, and the universal right to equality for all.
In response to these alarming trends, UNESCO convened the 4th Global Forum Against Racism and Discrimination on December 10-11, 2024, in Barcelona, Spain.
The Forum brought together participants from 89 countries, including global leaders, policymakers, academics, researchers, activists, artists, and experts, while engaging an online audience of over 50,000 viewers.
It provided a dynamic platform for dialogue, innovation, and the development of collective solutions to address systemic racism and discrimination.
Its agenda included six plenary sessions, 12 parallel sessions, and insights from more than 150 speakers, all unified in their commitment to combating discrimination through education, cultural representation, diversity, and the ethical development of AI.
Central to the Forum was the launch of the Global Alliance Against Racism and Discrimination, an international network devoted to implementing actionable solutions for racial equity and justice.
The most remarkable aspect was coming together as a community with a shared purpose. There is nothing more powerful than connecting with purpose.
Prominent voices from the Caribbean Small Island Developing States brought unique perspectives to the global dialogue at the Forum.
For instance, the representative of Jamaica called for integrating cultural and ethnic diversity into education systems to combat racism at its roots.
As part of the effort to sustain a culture of racial peace and non-discrimination within the Jamaican society, Jamaica commits to continue its work as an honoured member of this Global Alliance to combat racism and discrimination.
Other participants emphasized the critical need for AI technologies to uphold human dignity in diverse cultural contexts, advocating for ethical frameworks that prevent harmful racial stereotypes, and highlighted the intersection of youth advocacy, disability inclusion, and climate resilience.
Let鈥檚 shift from working for persons with disabilities to co-creating with them, because only by combining diverse perspectives can we build a sustainable future where everyone thrives, regardless of ability.
Many Small Island Developing States lack the resources to develop data sets, tools, and capabilities for large language models. We need support to drive learning, innovation, and equitable technology access while detecting harm and mitigating bias.
The Forum stands as a beacon of hope, reaffirming the power of collective action in the fight against racism and discrimination. It emphasizes that through unity, shared purpose, and concrete efforts, societies can dismantle systemic injustices, celebrate diversity, and uphold the principles of equity and human dignity.
