On June 25, 2020, at 5:00 pm CET, almost 100 FAWCO members and guests from all around the world joined in to listen to an engaging panel discussion featuring keynote speaker, Muriel Tillinghast, renowned US civil rights leader and human rights activist. Other panelists included FAWCO President Emily van Eerten, moderator and human rights attorney Bayo Callender, and FAWCO Club Presidents Coordinator, Kanika Holloway, who collectively participated in a lively discussion surrounding the topic of racism, incorporating select components of the facilitation tool, The Anti-Racist Global Citizen©, created by Bayo Callender.
The informative and “raw” discussion addressed current and historic events on racism and how we as FAWCO members can begin to substantively practice personal and organizational anti-racist engagement.
- Muriel Tillinghast eloquently gave her recollection of the reality of the past and tied it into the experience of racism in our present environment.
- Emily discussed the role of FAWCO in the past and where FAWCO’s vision for the future is contemplated to head at the international level.
- In clear, lay terms, Bayo explained how an anti-racist global citizen is defined and highlighted behaviors and characteristics attributed to the term.
- Kanika addressed a question that many may be dealing with internally: “I struggle with understanding racism. I am sure that I treat everyone equally and conduct myself as such at all times—I feel as if what I do is enough. What does a call to being an anti-racist ask me to do?”
We asked the audience to participate, comment and share their experience related to the following questions:
- What ideas and activities could you engage in to address anti-racist practice within your organization?
- How will you look to structure your membership outreach to facilitate inclusive practice?
- What type of assistance and support would your organization need to implement these actions?
In response to these questions, audience members shared actionable tips and links to assist clubs with initiating conversations, educating their members and resources.
FAWCO is moving forward with this initiative, will you join us? Please continue to stay informed.
FAWCO’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee has been formed and in addition to this step, other programming and actionable steps will be taken that you can participate in.
The event was recorded and you may follow the discussion in full below.
For all additional comments and questions about how you can access these resources and share this information with your clubs, please email .