JPC: Racism (E)

justice, peace & creation
the churches' response to racism

Ecumenical study on racism / 2001 UN World Conference Against Racism (WCAR) / Women under Racism / Indigenous Peoples' contributions / Dalit Solidarity Programme

Racism has been a concern of the ecumenical movement for at least 70 years. In 1968 the WCC Central Committee created a Programme to Combat Racism (PCR); the eighth assembly of the WCC in Harare celebrated the 30th Anniversary of PCR in 1998.

The work of the PCR has evolved greatly since 1968, yet racism remains an issue that divides local communities and even families. In 1995, the WCC Central Committee noted that: "Institutional racism and the ideology of racism, in their most pernicious forms, continue unabated in contemporary societies and still affect churches dramatically while ongoing social, political and economic trends are producing new forms of racism."

WCC work on racism aims to engage and accompany the churches to recognize, understand and attempt to overcome racism wherever it exists in their midst as a central part of their life rather than something marginal, dealt with in semi-detached programmes and committees.

Visiting the 1998 WCC assembly in Harare, Zimbabwe, the-then president of South Africa Nelson Mandela thanked the WCC for its support to his country's struggle against apartheid.

Ecumenical Study on Racism
To understand and combat the old and the new manifestations of racism in society and in the church, new analysis is needed. There is a need to identify oppressive, racist theologies and to understand the links and distinctions, between racism, sexism, ethnocentrism, casteism and other "isms".

Initiated in 1992, the Ecumenical Study on Racism was an attempt to analyze racism in its present global and regional trends and to redefine the focus and specific strategies for work on racism. It was also the WCC’s contribution to preparations for and participation in the 2001 UN World Conference on Racism (WCR). The study's findings were presented to the WCC Central Committee in September 2002.

See the Ecumenical Study report: Being church and overcoming racism: It's time for transformative justice

“We must not allow the manifestations of racism, which has not changed, to be swept under the carpet. We must be vigilant to the changing faces of racism and deal with it whether or not it is popular to do so. We must demystify all the laws, declarations and charters etc., of fancy words (...) We must confront the governments for programmes that will rid our country of racism, otherwise, it will go underground...”

from “Understanding Racism Today: a Dossier

Churches in Europe overcoming racial violence

In an attempt to make visible what churches were doing in concrete situations of racially motivated violence, the WCC investigated what churches in the UK, Germany, Austria and France were doing to overcome racial violence in their contexts. The aim was to reinforce such action, facilitate networking between those involved, and contribute to the Decade to Overcome Violence (2001-2010) as well as to WCC input to the UN World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance. The scope of an extension of this case study approach to racial violence to other parts of the world is to be determined at an April 2003 consultation.

See :
Churches in Europe: Initiatives to overcome racism, xenophobia and racial violence
Dossier 1: Germany and Austria, and
Dossier 2: United Kingdom and France

2001 UN World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance (WCAR)

Its witness and action against the sin of racism and for justice and life for the victims/survivors led the WCC to enable churches, church-related programmes against racism and regional ecumenical organizations to participate in the 2001 UN World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance held in Durban, South Africa, from 31 August to 7 September 2001.

Before the conference, the WCC organized preparatory meetings in partnership with regional ecumenical organizations, and attended the UN PrepCom meetings, UN Expert meetings and UN regional conferences. At the WCAR itself and within the framework of the NGO Forum, the 35-member ecumenical delegation enabled workshops and hearings, while a small team of nine people attended the inter-governmental meeting.

One of the most significant achievements of the ecumenical family in Durban was their coming together in an Ecumenical Caucus around common concerns and advocacy platforms. This Caucus issued a statement during the inter-governmental conference. It affirmed that “racism is a sin, contrary to God’s will for love, peace, equality, justice and compassion for all”, and that racism “dehumanizes, disempowers, marginalizes and impoverishes human beings”. It concluded that "now is the time to dismantle and eradicate racism".

Facilitated by the South African Council of Churches (SACC) and WCC communication staff, the Ecumenical Caucus organized a well-attended press conference with Archbishop Desmond Tutu as guest speaker. Its timing at a crucial moment during the inter-governmental meeting ensured that the churches’ voice was clearly heard.

The WCAR NGO Forum was perhaps the largest civil society gathering focused on racism ever assembled; it was certainly the most representative ever of the victims of racism and racial discrimination. The Forum document contains the aspirations and recommendations of many communities of marginalized peoples. Members of the WCC delegation voted on the NGO Forum document as part of the Ecumenical and other caucuses rather than as the WCC itself.

In keeping with WCC policy, the WCC ecumenical delegation supported the rights of Africans and People of African descent, Indigenous Peoples, Dalits, the Roma/Sinti People, migrants, women and youth. It affirmed the right of self-determination for Palestinians and the right of return and the establishment of a Palestinian state, as well as the right of the State of Israel to exist; it also condemned anti-Semitism.

See Making a fresh start: the urgency of combatting racism: WCC Report on its participation in the UN World Conference against Racism

A large protest march wound through the streets of Durban as the WCAR began.

Dalit drummers during a protest against the Indian government's refusal to equate "caste" with discrimination.

Indigenous representatives.

Protesting against Israeli policies in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

After an ecumenical service atttended by local church leaders, the large congregation marched to the Durban city hall, where a short service of commitment against racism was held.

See also ecumenical statements and press releases from the WCAR

Women under Racism

Black, Indigenous, Dalit and Ethnic Minority women suffer from racism, sexism, casteism, exclusion and marginalization. The Women under Racism (WUR) programme seeks to encourage their participation in the ecumenical movement and to address their concerns from a gender, race and class perspective. For example, a 1999 workshop in Latin America produced Bible studies and theological reflections from race and gender perspectives for use in congregations and church-related women's groups. These were published, and a training programme on Bible, gender, race and class for Black and Indigenous women in Latin America was designed; two training workshops - in Costa Rica and in Guatemala - took place in 2001 and 2002, respectively.

The programme is a platform for cooperation among women as well as an instrument for self-empowerment. A September 2000 workshop in Taiwan on Women Under Racism in Asia, for example, allowed Indigenous and Ethnic Minority Asian women to come together to share their experiences, celebrate their different identities, analyze racism and its expressions in their region, and develop strategies for future action.

A direct outcome was a joint National Council of Churches in the Philippines/Christian Conference of Asia/WCC campaign entitled "Asia-Pacific Women Overcoming Racism and Intolerance", launched in 2001. A brochure (see opposite) and posters were distributed to CCA member churches and partners and to Asian religious educators. The campaign aims to raise awareness on the various forms of racism in Asia and what the churches should do to eliminate it.

Coming out of a 1999 WUR workshop: Bible studies and theological reflections from race and gender perspectives for use by congregations and church-related women's groups in Latin America.

Asia-Pacific Women Overcoming Racism and Intolerance 2001 campaign poster. Says Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) general secretary Ahn Jae Woong: "While the issue of racism affects mend, women and children whose race, ethnicity, nationality, descent or religion is perceived to be inferior, this campaign is specially waged by women who need to be liberated from the trip burdens of gender, class and race.

Indigenous Peoples' contributions

Indigenous Peoples live in a fast-changing world. From being subsistence farmers, labourers or hunters, they are displaced into towns and cities, causing conflicts of identity. Their ancestors were skilled at finding ways to live in new and hostile environments. For Indigenous Peoples today, culture must evolve. Some present cultural values might not be recognized by the ancestors but are part of the Indigenous fabric of life today.

Indigenous Peoples', nations' and communities’ lives, spiritualities and sovereignty are constantly threatened by globalization as expressed through mining, wildlife conservation, logging, hydro-electric dams, militarization, eco-tourism, large-scale farming. Consciousness of their relationship with Mother Earth (land) and of the sacredness of their lands, and their lack of control over natural resources lead to division within and among Indigenous Peoples, which in turn leads to individualism and poverty.

It is vital for Indigenous Peoples to be seen as nations and peoples rather than simply as ethnic groups. Their struggle for self-determination includes the right to control over their territories, education, social affairs, health care, religion and cultural activities. Within nation states, Indigenous communities and organizations are striving for a multiculturalism that rejects assimilation and domestication. Indigenous Peoples continue to claim recognition of their prior ownership of ancestral territories. Their right to land must include political power through self-government, and economic power through the right to choose what happens to the land. The WCC's Indigenous People's Programme (IPP) supports advocacy to ensure that the cultural heritage of Indigenous Peoples is respected, and that their struggles and contributions are fully valued in the church and wider society. An IPP reference group monitors and evaluates ongoing activities and makes recommendations to the Justice Peace and Creation Team.

The IPP
i. Facilitates the participation of Indigenous Peoples in UN fora:
Thanks to Indigenous efforts, the United Nations has become aware of the concerns of Indigenous Peoples. Three international meetings on Indigenous Peoples Issues take place annually under UN auspices: a Working Group on Indigenous Populations, a Working Group on the Draft Declaration, and an ad-hoc Working Group on a Permanent Forum for Indigenous Peoples. The WCC organizes preparatory meetings and covers travel costs for an average of 20 persons to attend each of these. It also facilitates the participation of Indigenous delegates at meetings of the UN Commission on Environment and Development's Commission for Sustainable Development, and of the World Intellectual Property Organization.

ii. Supports capacity-building with Indigenous Peoples
In Latin America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Pacific Indigenous leaders with expertise in self-determination, land rights and intellectual property are sharing their knowledge with others via workshops and seminars.

In order to nurture the vision of earth as home, the WCC Indigenous Peoples Programme (IPP) conducted a series of regional encounters bringing representatives of churches and Indigenous organizations together. Indigenous Peoples' voices warning about threats to the land, and sharing their experience of taking care of Mother Earth, were recorded and the collected stories used for further reflection and teaching. Some of these stories were published in the JPC magazine ECHOES.

And in order to affirm a spirituality that is faithful to the voice and the children of the earth, the IPP promotes dialogue on spirituality between Indigenous spiritual leaders and leaders of the "mainline" churches . A first regional encounter took place in Asia in October 2000.

Dalit Solidarity Programme

In India under the banner of Dalit emancipation, Dalit Solidarity Peoples (DSP) brings together Dalit people of Sikh, Muslim, Christian, Buddhist and Hindu backgrounds. Given a history of hundreds of years of suspicion and even hostility, solidarity and common action between these faith communities is not easy. Yet the DSP has progressed from being a set of programmes to being a movement of peoples - a major achievement in the present Indian political situation of increased Hindu nationalism, where Christian and Muslim Dalit communities are particularly vulnerable.

The DSP constitution lists the following as major objectives and activities:

To strengthen solidarity among all the Dalits professing different religions, belonging to different castes and residing in different parts of the country;

to make them aware of the inner contradictions, such as casteism, mutual untouchability, customs and rituals born of ignorance and superstition.

to promote education, formal and informal, with an emphasis on confronting situations arising from the emergence of new power centres and a new economic system.

to study the problems of Dalit women and work for their liberation, advancement and empowerment so that they may play a significant role at all levels.

to organize Dalit youth and to take advantage of all opportunities provided under the Constitution and available outside government control.

to create opportunities where people may meet and discuss their problems and also participate in the festivals and social gatherings.

to extend support and work with the Adivasis and tribal people for their development and progress.

to promote constructive elements in Dalit culture in order to strengthen a common identity and ideology.

Annual meeting of Dalit Solidarity Peoples (DSP), June 1999.

School in a Dalit village, Kanglvakan, South of Chennai/Madras.

Community educators present Dalit suffering through drama in Kagnlvakan.

See: DSP: the vision

to set up Human Resource Development Centres and activities for Dalits including skills-promotion and income-generating activities so as to promote economic independence and self-reliance.

to set up centres to collect information with regard to the atrocities committed against Dalits and Tribals.

to share information and programmes with friends and partners both at national and international level.

to undertake the publication of books, journals, newspapers and other material written on and by Dalits and others.

The goal of the WCC's Dalit Solidarity Programme is to support the Dalit struggle in India, assist its internal organization and development, and raise awareness of Dalit issues within WCC member churches, international fora including the United Nations and the wider international constituency. An important element of this will be developing more appropriate communication tools.

Ecumenical study on racism / 2001 UN World Conference Against Racism (WCAR) / Women under Racism / Indigenous Peoples' contributions / Dalit Solidarity Programme