SIVIO Institute’s Post

Check out my latest OP-Ed reflecting on the 30 years of Democracy.

Important read: Maryam Noureen Janjua writes about some of the specific initiatives and projects undertaken by some parts of the #Pakistan government to improve the socio-economic situation and equality and inclusivity for minority communities, such as #Bahai. #southeastasia #humanrights #civilrights #minorityrights #religiousfreedom #economic #education #pluralism #societyandculture #lawandorder

📢 🌍 New Report: Combatting Conversion Practices in Africa🌍 I'm excited to announce the release of my latest report, Preventing and Eradicating Conversion Practices in Africa. This work delves into the pervasive human rights violations faced by sexual and gender minorities across the continent, with a focus on harmful conversion practices. 🚨 Key Highlights: - The history and persistence of conversion practices. - The legal, social, and cultural forms they take today. - Strategies for combatting these practices, including the use of Resolutions 275 and 552 of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. - The role of multi-sectoral partnerships, ally-parliamentarians, health professionals, and human rights defenders. This report is part of a broader effort to advance the rights of sexual and gender minorities and foster a more just and inclusive society across Africa. I invite activists, scholars, policymakers, and advocates to explore the findings and join the conversation on how we can collectively work to end these harmful practices. Together, we can create a future where human dignity and freedom from discrimination are upheld for all. 🏳️🌈 #HumanRights #LGBTIQ #ConversionTherapy #Africa #Inclusion #Equality #SocialJustice #Advocacy

On a 5day outing.....004 🤝 Ending Bias and Discrimination Starts with Us 🤝 Breaking down bias and discrimination is a collective effort that begins with each of us. Small, intentional actions in our daily lives can make a huge impact toward building a more inclusive and just world. Here are some steps we can all take: Educate Ourselves: Challenge your own assumptions and learn about cultures, histories, and experiences outside of your own. Awareness is the first step to understanding. Speak Up: When you see discrimination, speak out. Silence can be seen as acceptance. Every voice against bias makes a difference. Listen Actively: Listen to people’s stories and experiences without judgment. Being open to perspectives beyond our own deepens our empathy. Support Inclusive Policies: Advocate for policies at work, school, and in the community that promote diversity, equality, and inclusion. Be Mindful of Language: Words matter. Use inclusive language, avoid stereotypes, and encourage respectful dialogue. Build Diverse Relationships: Expand your circles to include people from different backgrounds. Diverse relationships strengthen understanding and reduce prejudice. Ending discrimination isn’t just about big movements—it’s about the choices we make daily. Let’s each commit to these actions and create a world where everyone is respected and valued. 🌍✨ #ActForInclusion #EndDiscrimination #EveryVoiceMatters #EqualityForAll #InclusionStartsWithUs #BreakTheBias #UnityInAction Makerere University Rotary Peace Center Rotary International Institute for Economics & Peace International Press Institute (IPI) International Peace Institute (IPI) UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency United Nations UNICEF UN Women UN Women UK

🚨 Did you know that Islam-hate increased by 600% in the UK? 🚨 Watch this video to learn more. I'm surprised at the lack of attention this topic receives worldwide, especially from the DEIA community. This in itself shows how biased most DEIA professionals are. #diversity #equity #inclusion #accessibility #enoughisenough #amsterdam vlog

🌲🌱🌊✊🏾🌏 Co-authored by 16 organizations—spanning youth groups, Indigenous networks, and ally organizations—our #AsiaYouthReport is now available in Nepali! The report brings to the fore the experiences and leadership of Asia’s #youth changemakers for the first time and is a must-read if you're interested in learning how youth in #Asia are defending their land rights and the well-being of their communities. Learn more 👇🏽 https://lnkd.in/g3GFTgJj

Antiracism work has always been important work, so I will not use clichés like ‘Today’ or ‘Now more than ever.’ The fact remains that when you look around Europe, we are confronted with the mainstreaming of hate. Islamophobia, antisemitism, anti-Black racism, antigypsyism, anti-Asian hate, and anti-Latino hate are prevalent in ways that we could not have imagined 5 years ago. The gruesome murder of George Floyd was meant to be a watershed moment where, as a society, we collectively committed to combating hate and racism in all its forms and wherever it reared its ugly head. However, we are faced with the opposite. Those who preach hate now disguise their vitriol in anti-migrant discourse, liberal Islamophobia, and cultural preservation rhetoric. We cannot be deceived. Europe is a dangerous place for racialized and minoritised people. This is why we must engage our elected officials and civil society actors to ensure that Antiracism work is prioritized, funded, and supported. Our lives literally depend on this. The struggle is real, the battle is uphill, but we persevere because we must! Please, join our efforts. Disseminate this as widely as possible and engage your loved ones, friends, and colleagues. Together, let us rid society of racism! Can’t appreciate enough my colleagues Julie Pascoët and Nourhene M. who have been leading European Network Against Racism Aisbl (ENAR)’s efforts to reestablish the Antiracism and Diversity Intergroup (ARDI) at the European Parliament.

📊 Southeast Asia hosts the largest number of stateless individuals, with over 1.4 million people reported to UNHCR in 2022. Most of these are in situ ethnic minority groups facing intergenerational statelessness. Explore the Statelessness Encyclopedia Asia Pacific (SEAP) report, initiated by Nationality for All, in 2020. This comprehensive report offers insights on laws, populations, stakeholders, causes of statelessness and recommendations to address the challenges stateless individuals face and advocate for their rights. 📚✨ Let's spread awareness and advocate for the rights of stateless individuals. Visit our SEAP website to access the full report by clicking on the 🔗 below: https://bit.ly/SEAPWebsite . . . #Statelessness #Research #Advocacy #HumanRights #SEAP #NFA #Equality #Dignity #Inclusion

🌍🇿🇦 Growing Up in South Africa During Apartheid 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gSihm9b2 📌 George Stroumboulis and Peter Economides reflect on Peter’s experience growing up in South Africa during apartheid—a society divided by race, where segregation extended to everything from public transport to voting rights. 🗣 "It was a weird world. Public transport was segregated by skin color. Blacks didn’t vote—out of 40 million people, 36 million had no say. It was true colonialism that had survived since the 17th century. Insane, totally insane." — Peter Economides 💡 Despite the stark realities of apartheid, Peter shares how his upbringing in a family that rejected racial superiority shaped his global perspective, inspiring his belief in equality and humanity. 🎙️ Follow Invigorate Your Business with George Stroumboulis Podcast for more profound stories and insights, and let us know how this resonates with you. 🙏 #PeterEconomides #Apartheid #SouthAfrica #Cultural #Reflections #Equality #InvigorateYourBusiness

Upcoming APRI webinar ''German-Africa Feminist Development Policy: What's Next?'' In March 2023, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), under the leadership of Minister Svenja Schulze, announced the completion of its new feminist development policy strategy. This strategy aims to promote gender equality in German foreign policy, including humanitarian aid, peace negotiations and climate policy, focusing on the 3Rs: Rights, Resources and Representation. Over the past year, this strategy has provoked mixed reactions. It has also raised important questions: - What concrete actions have been taken since it was announced? - How has it affected feminist development debates in Africa? - How has it affected German-African development cooperation? The APRI-Africa Policy Research Institute invites you to a webinar on July 15, 2024, at 14:00 CET, where we will delve into these questions and more. The experts—Ms Memory Kachambwa, Executive Director of FEMNET - African Women's Development and Communication Network; Prof Josephine Ahikire, professor at Makerere University; Ms Verena Wiesner, Senior Policy Advisor at the BMZ; Ms Hala Alkarib, Regional Director of the Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA) Network; and Ms Barbara Mittelhammer, Independent Policy Analyst and Consultant—will also evaluate the progress, challenges, and future directions of this policy. Register below to join us. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/edfvz5U9 #FeministPolicy #GenderEquality #Development #Webinar #APRI #BMZ #Africa #GermanDevelopmentPolicy