NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

Racism in international development is deeply rooted and has long persisted. We are at a critical period in time to change course and transform the beliefs that have perpetuated racial inequities around the world. Join PYXERA Global’s Renay Loper, VP Program Innovation, in a candid conversation with Fadzi Whande, Senior Diversity & Inclusion Adviser, Executive Direction and Management, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and Indira Ahluwalia, Founder and President, KAUR Strategies LLC as they discuss how the colonial roots of international development are grounded in racism, and more importantly, how individuals across sectors can recognize and disrupt its continuation.

Topics discussed will include:

Findings from the recently released United Nations Office of Human Rights Report on Racial Justice and Equality that focuses on the promotion and protection of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of Africans and of people of African descent

Political and social structures that form the foundations of racism in international development globally, and how to recognize and name their various manifestations today

An examination of intent versus impact, how racism affects communities and historically marginalized groups in the international development equation, and the systemic accountabilities that must be introduced to enact lasting change

How corporations can contribute to the disruption of traditional international development for sustainable and equitable impact

This conversation is part of PYXERA Global’s series ‘Rhetoric to Action: Dismantling Structural Racism through Tri-Sector Approaches’. The series aims to inspire the development of informed, intentional, and direct programming that leads to solutions to dismantle structural racism.

Time: 12:00 PM ET