This year’s Black History Month carried particular significance. It marked a century of organised remembrance and celebration of Black history, while also coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA), one of the most important international commitments to combating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.
For ECCAR and its member cities, this dual anniversary offers an important moment not only to reflect on the historical struggles and achievements of people of African descent, but also to reconnect local action against racism with global human rights frameworks that continue to shape anti-racism work today.
A Global Commitment: The Durban Declaration
Adopted in 2001 at the United Nations World Conference Against Racism in Durban, South Africa, the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action represented a historic milestone in international efforts to address racism and racial discrimination.
For the first time at this level, people of African descent were explicitly recognised as a rights-holding group facing specific forms of historical and structural injustice, rooted in the legacies of slavery, colonialism and centuries of racial discrimination. The declaration established a comprehensive framework for states and institutions to address these injustices through policy reforms, education, legal protections, and international cooperation.
The Durban process also helped shape later developments within the UN system, including the International Decade for People of African Descent, which further emphasised recognition, justice, and development as key pillars for addressing the ongoing consequences of racism. Twenty-five years later, the Durban Declaration remains an essential reference point for anti-racism work worldwide. It provides an important normative framework linking historical injustices to present-day responsibilities, reminding governments, institutions, and societies that combating racism requires sustained political commitment and concrete policy action.
Why These Milestones Matter for Cities
While the Durban Declaration was adopted at the global level, its implementation ultimately depends on action across all levels of governance, including the local level. Cities are often the places where the realities of structural discrimination and inequality become most visible. At the same time, municipalities are uniquely positioned to translate international human rights commitments into concrete policies, services, and initiatives that shape people’s everyday lives.
For ECCAR member cities, the anniversaries of Black History Month and the Durban Declaration therefore serve as important reminders that local anti-racism strategies are part of a broader global framework. They reaffirm the role of cities as key actors in advancing equality, protecting human rights, and addressing the long-term impacts of racism in areas such as housing, education, employment, health, and public participation.
As we reflect on this year’s 100th Black History Month and the 25th anniversary of the Durban Declaration, it becomes clear that these milestones are not only about commemoration. They are reminders of our ongoing responsibility to address racism in all its forms and to continue building societies based on dignity, equality, and justice.
