CARJ AGM - Racial Justice Agenda for Change

On Saturday, 4 November 2023, the Catholic Association for Racial Justice (CARJ) held its Annual General Meeting at St Thomas More Church in Manor House, north London. The AGM was a major event for CARJ in preparation for its 40th Anniversary (2024).

The business session in the morning included an important discussion of our financial sustainability. Those present were concerned that we do all we can to ensure the future of CARJ, as it is the only Black-led, national Catholic organisation specifically devoted to racial justice.

After the formal business was done, in the afternoon session of the AGM, Fr Phil Sumner and Maggie Beirne gave talks and led a discussion of the CARJ Racial Justice Agenda for Change which will be the centrepiece of its 40th Anniversary activities.

The Racial Justice Agenda for Change is a short document, addressed to Catholics in their parishes, dioceses, organisations, work places, leisure activities and day to day social interactions. It is divided into four parts: Belonging, Information, Accompaniment and Strategies (BIAS). In terms of belonging, we are urged, in in our churches, schools and other contexts, to ask 'who is not at the table.' Our effort to make these situations more inclusive, we must start by informing ourselves. Then we must listen, learn and engage, accompanying others in the struggle for racial justice.

Finally, we must work with others to develop specific strategies - which will involve analysis, action plans and monitoring at predetermined periods to establish impact in order to make them effective. In concluding, CARJ asks Catholics and all people of good will to reflect and act on this Racial Justice Agenda for Change.

In planning its 40th Anniversary activities, CARJ decided that, in addition to learning from reflections on the past 40 years, it wanted to look to the future.

Its Racial Justice Agenda for Change could be seen as a toolkit for those who wish to be involved in the continuing struggle for racial justice in the UK and the wider world. Following these discussions at the AGM, we in CARJ feel more confident that our 40th Anniversary activities will bring people together and provide those involved with vision and energy for the future.

For more information contact CARJ at info@carj.org.uk

LINK

CARJ: www.carj.org.uk/