[Geo4All] Reimagining Higher Education as Accountable Partners in Repair and Transformation International Conference

[Suchith Anand]

Dear colleagues,

A global framework for reparatory justice has been adopted at a conference in Ghana, as African and Caribbean leaders demanded formal apologies from countries that benefited from the transatlantic slave trade. Heads of state and government and other officials formally approved the strategy on Friday at a gathering in a hotel in the capital, Accra, which was the first major meeting since the adoption of the landmark United Nations (UN) resolution declaring the trafficking of enslaved Africans as the gravest crime against humanity.

The document lays out a 19-point global framework for reparatory justice. The framework also calls for multilateral measures to address sovereign debt burdens, including debt relief, to tackle lasting socioeconomic impacts of enslavement, colonialism and related historical injustices.
 <https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/jun/18/barbados-prime-minister-manifesto-slavery-reparations>
“We recognise and honour the extensive efforts undertaken over generations by several governments, intergovernmental organisations, our forebearers, individuals and civil society partners across Africa, the Caribbean, the Americas, as well as in Europe and Asia in shaping the global reparations agenda,” the participants say in the document <https://qr.scan.page/uploads/pdf/LZ31Bq_9529930e96efba4c.pdf>.

Details at https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/jun/19/global-framework-reparations-justice-adopted-at-landmark-conference-in-accra-ghana

Best wishes

Suchith

> On 9 Jun 2026, at 16:48, Suchith Anand <suchithanand1976 at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> These articles published in the Guardian might be of interest
> 
> France overturns law classing people as property – 178 years after it abolished slavery
> https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/may/28/france-votes-code-noir-slavery-law-colonialism
> 
> France is starting to own its role in the slave trade. Now it needs to repair its Caribbean legacy
> https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jun/08/france-slave-trade-repair-caribbean-legacy-code-noir-guadeloupe-martinique
> 
> Best wishes
> 
> Suchith
> 
> 
>> On 25 May 2026, at 21:49, Suchith Anand  wrote:
>> 
>> Dear colleagues,
>> 
>> Around 200 scholars, civil society organisers, politicians, activists, artists, students, and community knowledge holders gathered in Bristol on 18th May 2026 for a landmark international conference hosted by the University of Bristol’s Reparative Futures programme. The event explored how higher education institutions can become accountable partners in repair, justice, and transformation.
>> 
>> The summary report from the Reparative Futures conference is at https://www.bristol.ac.uk/news/2026/may/reparative-futures-conference.html 
>> 
>> Thanks to the World University Network and University of Bristol colleagues for organising this important conference. I learned a lot listening to all speakers and participants. I am grateful for the opportunity to share the work of the Ethical Data Initiative with the wider community.
>> 
>> Best wishes
>> 
>> Suchith
>> 
>> 
>>> 
>>>> On 7 May 2026, at 17:06, Suchith Anand wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> Dear colleagues,
>>>> 
>>>> Reimagining Higher Education as Accountable Partners in Repair and Transformation International Conference is organised as part of the Worldwide Universities Network . This international conference brings together scholars, civil society organisations,  students and community knowledge holders to explore how higher education institutions can act as accountable partners in reparatory transformation, addressing historical harms rooted in enslavement and colonialism and advancing justice, dignity, collective responsibility and equitable partnership.
>>>> 
>>>> More details at https://agm.wun.ac.uk/program-information/
>>>> 
>>>> https://agm.wun.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Reparative-Futures_Conference_Programme_18-May_v1.pdf
>>>> 
>>>> I thank the organisers for inviting me to share my ideas at the panel session on Epistemic Justice and Curriculum Transformation at this important conference. I will be sharing the work of the Ethical Data Initiative with the African Association of Universities (University Association counting over 400 Universities across the African Continent) on the campaign for the inclusion of Data Ethics in education on a global scale.
>>>> 
>>>> Why Data Ethics is important in Education? https://ethicaldatainitiative.org/why-worry-about-data-ethics
>>>> 
>>>> Campaign for Data Ethics in Education. Details at https://ethicaldatainitiative.org/campaign-for-data-ethics-in-education/ 
>>>> 
>>>> This will build up ideas from the House of Lords Convening – Reimagining Sustainability in Higher Education: Leading Through Equity  that I represented and contributed on behalf of the University of Exeter in November 2025.  Details at https://lists.osgeo.org/pipermail/geoforall/2025-November/006634.html
>>>> 
>>>> I also thank the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) of the UK Government, REF 2029 Team, Research Funders and other key HE stakeholders  for responding to my Open Letter on REF 2029 - Research Culture
>>>> 
>>>> Details at https://lists.osgeo.org/pipermail/geoforall/2025-September/006617.html
>>>> 
>>>> Together, let's drive meaningful change towards a more inclusive and equitable representation in the UK academic landscape. Let us support the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion, continuing to build communities where all voices are heard, and every individual thrives.
>>>> 
>>>> “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” - Mahatma Gandhi
>>>> 
>>>> 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://spspa.exeter.ac.uk/people/profile/index.php?username=sa1131
>>>> https://ethicaldatainitiative.org <https://ethicaldatainitiative.org/>
>>>> 
>>> 
>> 
> 

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.osgeo.org/pipermail/geoforall/attachments/20260620/8df6bac0/attachment-0001.htm>