What Does the Future Hold for Afrodescendants in the Second UN Decade?
2:00 - 5:00 PM Wednesday, 25 March 2026 - American University Washington College of Law, 4300 Nebraska Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20016, Stephen S. Weinstein Courtyard
When
2:00 - 5:00 PM
Wednesday, 25 March 2026
Where
American University Washington College of Law, 4300 Nebraska Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20016, Stephen S. Weinstein Courtyard
Organized by the Organization of American States (OAS), the Washington Office for Latin America (WOLA) and the Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, American University Washington College of Law, within the framework of the “Inter-American Week of People of African Descent in the Americas”
Date: March 25, 2026 Time: 2-5pm Location: Stephen S. Weinstein Courtroom, American University Washington College of Law, 4300 Nebraska Avenue NW, Washington, DC.
In December 2024, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the Second International Decade for People of African Descent, which will run from 2025 to 2032. While many steps were taken during the first decade, States agreed to move from “promises to action,” focusing on justice, recognition, and development. For the first decade, the Organization of American States (OAS) launched an action plan, through which States promoted national measures in favor of the rights of people of African descent, networks were created, and a declaration was drafted.
At this event, experts and activists on the topic analyze the results of the first decade and present their vision for the second decade with a focus on women’s rights, the protection of cultural and religious practices, and the collective lands of people of African descent in the Americas.
2:00 pm Welcome – Eduardo Bertoni, Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, American University Washington College of Law (10 min)
2:10-2:30 pm Opening Remarks – Laura Gil, Assistant Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS)
2:30-3:30 pm First Panel: What happened during the first decade, what lessons were learned, and what should be promoted in the second decade?
Moderator: Celestino Barrera Alarcon, co-founder and executive director of the DC Afro Latino Institute
- Roberto Rojas Davila, head of the Vulnerable Groups Section of the Department of Social Inclusion of the Organization of American States (OAS)
- Carlos Quesada, president, International Institute for Race & Equality
- Renaldine Lafleche, legislative advisor, office of Hank Johnson, representative of Georgia’s 4th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives
3:30-3:45 pm Break
3:45-4:45 pm Second Panel: Protecting the rights of women, youth, cultural and religious practices, land, and the environment.
Moderator: Dr. María do Carmo, Professor, Federal University of Southern Bahia.
- Vicky Leyva, president, the International Multicultural Network of Leaders in Action for Human Rights established in different countries to promote, protect, respect and disseminate Human Rights, educating communities (RIMLA)
- Julio Guity, Executive Director of Sustainable Development and Climate Change (SUDECC, Inc.)
- Julia Mota, lobbying specialist, Fundo Agbara
- Raudemar Ofunshi Hernandez Abreu, Babalawo/Shaman, Global Relations Guru, president, Colombia Peace Agreement NGO, human rights activist, conflict mediation expert, and human rights consultant
4:45-5:00 pm Conclusions and closing remarks – Gimena Sanchez, Andes director, WOLA
