** Please note: This proposal is a DRAFT.  We seek the input of any NIMC member who is interested in serving on a committee that will assist in the planning and implementation of the NIMC’s National Dialogue on Race, Justice, and Peace

 

Michael D’Andrea

 

 

The NIMC’s National Dialogue on Race, Justice and Peace

 

Background information:

 

From August 28 – September 8, 2001, thousands of representative from governmental and non-governmental organizations attended “The United Nations World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance” (WCAR).  Several noted psychologists from the American Psychological Association (APA) participated in that conference and lobbied for attention to the adverse psychological impact that racism, racial discrimination, Xenophobia, and related intolerance has on hundreds of millions of persons throughout the world.  These individuals included Corann Okorodudu, Ed.D., Thelma Bryant, Ph. D., Anderson J. Franklin Ph.D., Bertha G. Holiday Ph.D., James Jackson Ph..D., and William Parham Ph.D.

 

A final report on The United Nations World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance was published in late 1991.  The abovementioned APA representatives reported their involvement and contributions in the formulation of a final report of this international conference at two APA national conventions.

 

Many of the recommendations included in the final report have direct relevance for the work that multiculturally-competent and social justice minded counselors and psychologists do.  What follows is a list of some of the action strategies and recommendations that have been endorsed by the representatives who participated in the United Nations World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance.  The issues presented below are highlighted here because of their relevance for persons who are supportive of the multicultural-social justice movement that exists in the fields of counseling and psychology.  As such the participants in the 2001 United Nations World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance urged social justice advocates around the world to:

 

1.    Promote a greater understanding of the complex problems of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and their impact on people globally; regionally, and locally;

2.    Acknowledge women and girls as victims of multiplicative effects of racism and sexism;

3.    Promote the quality of life for migrants and refugees;

4.    Promote the quality of life for racial and ethnic minorities globally, regionally, and locally;

5.    Promote the quality of life and equality of Indigenous Peoples; and

6.    develop intervention strategies globally, regionally, and locally that are aimed at fostering justice and peace among all persons and especially those adversely impact by the complex problems of racism, racial discrimination, Xenophobia and related intolerance.

 

Purpose of the NIMC’s National Dialogue on Race, Justice, and Peace

 

Counselors, psychologists, and other mental health professionals can play important roles in addressing and preventing the adverse psycho-social impact that racism, racial discrimination, Xenophobia, and other forms of oppression (e.g., sexism, heterosexism, classism, ageism, ableism, etc.) have on people’s lives.  To assist these professionals in becoming more aware and knowledgeable of the what can and is being done in various communities across the United States, the NIMC is planning on sponsoring a series of 2-hour Town Hall cyber meetings that focus on issues related to race, justice, and peace.

 

Besides promoting this sort of awareness and knowledge, we hope to make the series of Town Hall cyber meetings a basis for graduate students and faculty mentors to conduct research related to [a] the impact of racism, racial discrimination, Xenophobia, and other forms of oppression on various groups in our country and [b] the types of school, university, and community-based interventions that have been rested and found to be effective in addressing these complex problems.  A more detailed description of this research plan will be made available through the NIMC Pathways Resource System in the near future.  We want to encourage students and faculty members of the NIMC to consider participating in this aspect of the National Dialogue on Race, Justice, and Peace as we continue the planning of this intervention.

 

General Outline of the Town Hall Cyber Meeting that constitute the NIMC’s National Dialogue on Race, Justice, and Peace

 

Each Town Hall meeting will be broadcast via the NIMC Talking Community cyber system.  These 2-hour town hall meetings will be organized at any university or community setting where an NIMC member is willing to assist in the coordination of these on-going events.  The site coordinator will work with members of a committee that is set up in the NIMC to assist in the coordination of these on-going cyber town hall meetings.

 

The format for each town hall meeting is as follows:

 

1.    5 minutes to explain and test the computer cyber system equipment.

2.    5 minutes to discuss the purpose of the NIMC National Dialogue on Race, Justice, and Peace and explain the format of the town hall meetings

3.    45 minutes – Students, religious leaders/representatives, law enforcement representatives, elected officials, teachers, medical personnel, parents, community members, and/or mental health professionals will discuss the impact of racism, racial discrimination, Xenophobia, and other forms of oppression on themselves and/or other persons in their families, schools, religious groups, and/or general communities.

4.    45 minutes – Individuals from the selected communities, schools, universities where the NIMC’s National Dialogue on Race, Justice, and Peace are held discuss what interventions have been implemented and found to be effective in addressing the complex problems of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and other forms of oppression in their local areas.

5.    20 – minutes – A summary of the town hall meeting will be made by the site coordinator and representatives with the NIMC who will be managing the cyber system component of these meetings.      

 

 ** All of the town hall meetings will be audio recorded to assist the graduate students and faculty mentors involved in the research component of this project to analyze the information presented at each town hall meetings.