Ubuntu program employs the Universal Human Rights Values framework which promotes the understanding of “the essential unity of the human race” (see UNESCO 1978 Declaration in Race) and of genetic science. It exposes the double meaning of race within anti-racism work – i.e., building on critical social theory’s work on “race” as a social-political-economic construct that was historically used to justify slavery and colonization as a persisting and a destructive discourse. The latter meaning re-enforces and sustains oppression/ domination and established systemic racisms through direct and subtle ways.

UBUNTU PROGRAM AIMS

• Promote equality of human dignity and worth (value) and other inter-related – inherent human rights values that support well-being and development.
• Promote active and equitable integration of African-descent people, immigrants, and other racialized groups in Canada.
• Support healing of intergenerational traumas of slavery, colonization, and other bases of dehumanization plus exploitation, and build skills and strategies towards resilience.
• Address the historical and persisting systemic racism.
• Work towards the elimination of racism and overcoming oppression/ domination in violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of all people.