Today 21 March, 2025 marks International Day Against Racism and the 60th anniversary of the UN’s adoption of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD).

The International Association for Community Development (IACD) stands in solidarity with marginalised and minoritised communities worldwide facing racism, discrimination, and oppression. To effectively tackle these issues, it is essential to recognise the global nature of racism, including its origins, the diverse groups it affects, and the interconnected factors that drive it. The impact of racism is disproportionately experienced by marginalised and historically oppressed communities and can manifest on a continuum from stereotyping to open hostility and violence.

The current global landscape is characterised by conflicts, climate injustice, and related disasters, as well as economic inequality, which exacerbates existing disparities and generates new forms of discrimination against marginalised communities, contributing also to forced migration. At the end of 2022, the UNHCR reported 108.4 million forcibly displaced people globally, many of whom belong to indigenous or nomadic populations and racial or ethnic minority groups facing systemic discrimination, historical injustices like land dispossession and cultural erasure, and discrimination in areas such as employment, housing, education, and the criminal justice system, often coupled with xenophobia.

Community development is essential for eliminating racial discrimination and other forms of oppression. By prioritising participatory approaches, communities are empowered to confront racism and foster inclusive societies by amplifying the voices of those affected and promoting collective action and solidarity to address systemic inequalities. Community Development practitioners recognise that racism is a social construct that requires challenging through targeted collective action, education to demystify it, advocacy for anti-racism policies and legislation, and a global commitment to inclusivity and equality.

IACD today reaffirms its commitment to social justice and human rights and urges community development practitioners, organisations, and individuals worldwide to unite in global solidarity and action to achieve a world free from racism and discrimination.