[Geo4All] UNESCO Global Forum against Racism and Discrimination

[Suchith Anand]

Dear colleagues

In an increasingly globalized world, racism and discrimination continue to damage and undermine the social fiber of our societies. One in six people worldwide experience some form of discrimination, and this trend has only worsened over time. Numerous leaders, academic institutions, civil society groups and NGOs have mobilized to implement anti-racism policies and actions to root out discrimination, as reaffirmed in the recently adopted Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations. During this annual Global Forum, we call for decisive action. 

More details at https://www.globalforumagainstracism.org/

These articles might be of interest

Special Issue on Racism in Science https://www.nature.com/immersive/d42859-022-00031-8/index.html 

Nature article published on “ How UK science is failing Black researchers — in nine stark charts". By Elizabeth Gibney (published 14 Dec 2022) at
https://www.nature.com/immersive/d41586-022-04386-w/index.html 

Data shows that the representation of scientists from marginalized ethnicities dwindles at each stage of the UK academia highlighting the fact that racism is widespread in many universities in the UK. 

Tackling racism on campus: Raising awareness and creating the conditions for confident conversations 
https://www.advance-he.ac.uk/tackling-racism-campus 

Webinar discussion: why are there so few Black professors, and what can we do about it? https://www.gatenbysanderson.com/news/webinar-discussion-why-are-there-so-few-black-professors-and-what-can-we-do-about-it/

Racial discrimination is illegal as per the UK law but still it is sad fact that Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic researchers (especially working in junior level) are suffering racial discrimination in silence for many years in many UK universities. There is a huge pressure to hide racial discrimination under the carpet and silence colleagues who raise these issues.

I am an opponent of racism in science and academia.  Racial discrimination is illegal as per the UK law.  It is the responsibility of the University management in all UK universities to take disciplinary action against any staff who are supporting racial discrimination or working to cover up racial discrimination complaints. All colleagues raising concerns on racial discrimination in any UK university need to be protected. 

I had to suffer racial discrimination for over 10 years at a UK university during my early career. I decided to share my experience so that in future other colleagues don’t have to suffer racial discrimination in any UK university.  I was denied even a single promotion for 10 years inspite of me doing really good work, publishing high quality papers, and bringing in lots of funding. When I finally had the courage to raise this, then the management were doing everything to silence me and cover up.

Details at https://council.science/blog/no-problem-is-too-big-combating-discrimination-in-geospatial-science/ 

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”Mahatma Gandhi

Open Letter on “Racism in UK Universities”

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/open-letter-racism-uk-universities-suchith-anand

Let’s build a world beyond racism and discrimination, where we all exercise our human rights. Be a human rights champion!

Best wishes

Suchith

Professor Suchith Anand
Professor of Practice in Science Policy | Senior Adviser to Governments and International Organisations | Scientist | Global Citizen | Science Diplomacy |  SDG Volunteer and Advocate
https://www.exeter.ac.uk <https://www.exeter.ac.uk/>
https://ethicaldatainitiative.org <https://ethicaldatainitiative.org/> 

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