The Campaign to Stop Killer Robots and Soka Gakkai International are convening the Humanitarian Disarmament Forum in 2020 and 2021 on the topic of race and intersectionality. This marks the first time the Forum–held annually since 2021–has been held entirely online and, for the first time, focused on diversity—particularly race—and how to be more intersectional in working to advance humanitarian disarmament.
When this topic was proposed for the Forum at the beginning of 2020, the world looked very different. The Covid-19 pandemic had not yet emerged. The Black Lives Matter movement had existed for several years, but the large-scale global awareness and discussion of systemic, institutional and individual racism that occurred following the murder of George Floyd had not yet taken place.
Through three major segments, the 2020-2021 Humanitarian Disarmament Forum has sought introduce the theme of structural racism and intersectionality to the humanitarian disarmament community and consider how it manifests in the work of global coalitions and non-profit organizations as well as how it impacts us personally.
More than 100 activists from 40 countries attended the first part of the Humanitarian Disarmament Forum, held virtually on 19-21 October. Participants who identify along racial lines met in affinity group to discuss sensitive and challenging topics, including personal experiences of racism, and the advantages or disadvantages faced because of one’s identity(ies).
The event launched part two – a guided self-learning journey, while the third and final segment–a virtual meeting–is scheduled for 3 November 2021.
For more information, see:
Website of the 2020-2021 Humanitarian Disarmament Forum
Farah Bogani on the Report on Activities: Part One of the 2020-2021 Humanitarian Disarmament Forum