Global Litigation and Advocacy Network for People of African Descent
A Call for Global Justice, Recognition and Development
Justice, Recognition & Development
The United Nations Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024) has been a pivotal period highlighting the global need for justice, recognition, and development for people of African descent. Despite significant advocacy efforts, systemic discrimination and racial injustices continue to impact African descendants worldwide. The need for a coordinated, strategic response to address these issues has never been more urgent.
Establishing GLANPAD: A New Era for Global Advocacy
On April 16, 2024, at the Third Session of the UN Permanent Forum for People of African Descent in Geneva, Switzerland, the Black Class Action Secretariat (BCAS) convened the Global Strategic Litigation and Advocacy conference with delegates from 25 countries. This event marked a historic moment in the global fight against systemic racism, culminating in the announcement of the Global Litigation and Advocacy Network for People of African Descent (GLANPAD). This network was born from the realization that traditional advocacy methods alone are not sufficient to bring about the systemic changes needed for people of African descent worldwide.
Our Mission
The mission of the Global Litigation and Advocacy Network for People of African Descent (GLANPAD) is to unite legal experts, activists, and communities worldwide to leverage strategic litigation combined with advocacy as a dual approach to combat systemic discrimination against people of African descent, secure reparations, and foster systemic change. GLANPAD aims to address injustices across key sectors such as employment, education, healthcare, housing, policing and criminal justice, environmental justice, immigration, cultural preservation, and more, by utilizing the power of the legal system alongside coordinated advocacy efforts to achieve justice and equity globally.
Why GLANPAD?
As stated by Nicholas Marcus Thompson, CEO of BCAS, during his address at the UN Permanent Forum:
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"After a decade, our persistent calls for reparations continue to be overlooked. The old ways of requesting reparations have not worked. It is not enough to ask those who oppress us to right their wrongs; we must demand it, enforce it through the power of strategic litigation paired with relentless advocacy."
GLANPAD seeks to move beyond traditional calls for justice and instead, utilize strategic litigation as a tool for meaningful change. By combining legal action with advocacy, we aim to create a powerful force that demands accountability and drives policy reforms.
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Key Objectives of GLANPAD
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Strategic Litigation: To utilize the courts to address and rectify injustices and systemic discrimination.
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Advocacy and Litigation Synergy: Promote a holistic approach combining litigation with advocacy to drive legal and policy reforms.
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Knowledge Sharing: Create a global repository of case studies, legal strategies, and resources to support efforts against systemic discrimination.
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Capacity Building: Develop training programs and workshops to enhance the skills of lawyers, activists, and community leaders.
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Networking and Collaboration: Provide a platform for stakeholders to exchange insights, collaborate, and support each other’s litigation and advocacy campaigns.
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Research and Development: Sponsor research initiatives focused on the impact of combining litigation with advocacy in achieving systemic change.
Governance Structure
GLANPAD will be structured to ensure effective governance and strategic direction:
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Steering Committee: Comprising representatives from founding organizations, legal experts, and activists to provide strategic oversight.
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Secretariat: The operational backbone, responsible for day-to-day coordination and communication among network members.
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Working Groups: Specialized teams focusing on areas such as legal research, advocacy strategies, training, and case support.
A Global Call to Action
GLANPAD represents a significant step forward in the international movement to combat racial injustices and promote equality and human rights for people of African descent. This initiative is a call to legal experts, advocates, and organizations worldwide to join us in this critical fight.
Get Involved
We invite all those committed to justice for people of African descent to join GLANPAD. Together, we can ensure that our calls for reparations are not just heard, but acted upon through coordinated, strategic efforts.
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For more information on how to get involved and support GLANPAD, please contact us at glanpad@bcas-srcn.org. Together, we can drive the change needed to achieve justice and equality for all.