The Right to Health of People of African Descent:

Part 2 of the Racism, Discrimination and Health Series

26 & 27 June 2024

09:30 - 17:00 CEST

UN House & Online

Boulevard du Régent 37-40, 1000, Brussels, Belgium

Racism and discrimination are fundamental determinants of health, profoundly affecting physical and mental well-being. They are far-reaching systemic issues, creating environments where marginalised communities face continuous social and economic challenges. Addressing these determinants is crucial for achieving health equity and ensuring that all individuals have the opportunity to realise their Right to Health as defined in Article 12 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.  

A pivotal policy instrument to help realise this is the EU Anti-racism Action Plan (EU ARAP). With the current cycle ending and the next five-year cycle being shaped, we have an opportunity to directly contribute to the further development of measures to tackle racial inequality, enhance legal protections, and promote social cohesion. The EU ARAP addresses various forms of discrimination to differing degrees. Experiences of anti-Black racism and the specific challenges faced by People of African Descent (PAD) are often overlooked within such overarching programmes, so it is vital that the needs of people experiencing this type of racism are given the attention required. 

This two-day DisQo Stakeholder Network conference, organised by EPHA and OHCHR in cooperation with Artikel 1 Midden Nederland and De Hofnar Present B.V., brings together leading experts and stakeholders to address the pervasive issues of racism, discrimination, and their profound impacts on health, with a specific focus on People of African Descent. Through insightful case studies, panel discussions, and interactive sessions, participants will explore the intersection of these critical areas, share best practices, and develop actionable strategies to promote health equity. Join us in advancing the dialogue and fostering collaborative efforts to combat racism and improve health outcomes for all. 

The identified solutions and recommendations from this event will be collected and summarised in a consultation report that will be presented to the European Commission’s Coordinator on combating racism, to feed into the next cycle of the EU Anti-racism Action Plan. There will also be an opportunity for written input.

In case of further questions or comments regarding the event, feel free to reach out to EPHA at tomas.dejong@epha.org or lisa.becker@epha.org, or to OHCHR at mila.paspalanova@un.org 

Watch the full recording below:

The day’s findings were summarised in a mindmap on Miro. You can see and download them via the links below:

Day 1: Wednesday 26 June, 9:30 – 17:00

Introduction and Opening Statements

We welcome you to the continuation of a crucial dialogue on racism, discrimination, and health, beginning with opening statements from distinguished guests from the European Commission and the Dutch Government.

elena koutouris tapiero

Elena Kountouri Tapiero

 

Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Acting Regional Representative for Europe

isabel de la mata

Isabel de la Mata

European Commission, DG SANTE, Principal Advisor for Health and Crisis management

rabin s. baldewsingh photo

Rabin S. Baldewsingh

Dutch Government, National Coordinator against Discrimination and Racism

milka sokolovic 2023

Milka Sokolović

European Public Health Alliance (EPHA), Director General

jacqueline bowman

Jacqueline Bowman-Busato

 

Adipositas Pact, Co-Founder, Engagement and Projects Lead

EU Anti-racism Action Plan and health

Today’s discussion about racism and discrimination takes place in the context of the EU Anti-racism Action Plan. Vanessa Kabuta of the European Commission expands on this policy instrument’s components, focusing specifically on its health-related aspects and challenges.

vanessa kabuta photo

Vanessa Kabuta

 

European Commission, DG JUST, Unit D2 Non- discrimination, Policy Coordinator

Dutch National Coordinator against Discrimination and Racism

Action on the national level is crucial to drive change on the ground. Rabin S. Baldewsingh – the
Dutch National Coordinator Against Discrimination and Racism – plays a key role in the Dutch anti-racism action plan, and elaborates on considerations around discrimination, racism and health in the Netherlands.

rabin s. baldewsingh photo

Rabin S. Baldewsingh

Post-break energiser and warm-up session

We resume with a musical energiser provided by Otion, Master of Sceneries.

Panel 1: Racism, discrimination, mental health, and trauma

The first panel discussion focuses on the effects of racism on mental health and trauma, highlighting how racism against People of African Descent can lead to manifestations of mental ill-health. The session takes an intersectional approach, including perspectives such as migration, maternal health and the importance of personal narratives.

rozina spinnoy

Moderated by Rozina Spinnoy

 

BIDS Belgium, Founder and Director

screenshot 2024 06 14 105047

Marlize Andre

 

The Marissa Foundation, Co-Founder and Director

s. mbanzendore photo

Stéphanie Mbanzendore

 

Burundian Women for Peace, Founder

liz kelly photo

Liz Kelly

 

Irish Maternity Support Network Ireland, Director / Support co-ordinator

The Right to Health and access to health insurance: a Dutch case study

Health insurance is an important element in access to healthcare. By analysing examples of challenges in accessing health insurance for People of African Descent in the Netherlands, De Hofnar illustrates how such access can be improved to help implement the Right to Health.

marciano daans photo

Marciano Daans

De Hofnar Present BV

Panel 2: Clinical Diagnosis: Racial bias in healthcare

The second panel discussion elaborates on culturally appropriate healthcare and the needs of specific communities. This includes a focus on the structural nature of racism and discrimination, which leads to issues such as a lack of trust in the healthcare system, misdiagnosis and disproportionate disease burdens faced by People of African Descent.

This is followed by a questions and answers session.

wouter arrazola de oñate photo

Moderated by Wouter Arrazola de Oñate

 Belgian Lung and Tuberculosis Association, Public Health Director

layal liverpool photo

Layal Liverpool (Online)

 

Science Journalist, Author of “Systemic: How Racism Is Making Us Ill”

alana helberg proctor photo

Alana Helberg-Proctor 

 

University of Amsterdam, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Associate Professor

tanja garaova

Tanja Gangarova

 

DeZIM-Institute Berlin, National Discrimination and Racism Monitor, Researcher

Interactive session with the audience

To develop a comprehensive approach to anti- racism and anti-discrimination in health, we turn to the expertise of the audience. Participants are encouraged to identify challenges and discuss practical solutions across sectors and levels of society to improve access to healthcare and reduce health inequities for People of African Descent. In a constructive conversation we explore how the discussed topics could feed into the EU Anti-racism action plan.

 

Moderated by:

jacqueline bowman

Jacqueline Bowman-Busato

Discussion and Conclusion

Jacqueline Bowman-Busato concludes the first day with a summary of its key takeaways, structuring thoughts and ideas to prepare for the discussion of the second day.

 

Day 2: Thursday 27 June, 9:30 – 17:00

Introduction 

Day two is opened with a word of welcome from Jacqueline. The previous day is briefly recapped and linked to today’s topic; equality data collection. 

jacqueline bowman

Jacqueline Bowman-Busato

OHCHR Indicators Framework 

The OHCHR has ample resources to inform methods for the collection of equality data of high standards. Mila Paspalanova presents how these resources can be accessed and used, focusing in particular on human rights indicators. To deepen our understanding, we explore complementarity, overlap and discrepancy for advancing equality statistics in the FRA Being Back in the EU Report. With a deeper understanding of equality data collection methods, we further explore how we can make data-informed policy approaches to racism, discrimination and health a reality.  

mila

Mila Paspalanova

OHCHR, Anti-racial discrimination advisor 

Towards quantitative equality data collection: Dutch G4 dashboard on discrimination

To provide a concrete example of how data collection can be developed on the national level, Discriminatie.nl and Shinto Labs highlight the way in which the G4 municipalities in the Netherlands (Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam and Utrecht) finance a project to develop and implement an analytical and registration tool with an (almost) real-time dashboard on discrimination incidents

This is followed by a questions and answers session.

jerrol marten

Jerrol Marten

Discriminatie.nl Regio Amsterdam, Director

jurriaan souer

Jurriaan Souer

Shinto Labs, Chief Products

paul fockens photo

Paul Fockens (Online)

Maurin Consulting, CEO

German Afrozensus: a German case study

Complementing the Dutch example, Muna Aikins covers experiences from the German Afrozensus 2020. This large survey on anti-Black racism and health provides insights based on direct input from affected populations. By discussing its methodology and the findings of the report, important lessons are shared on the development of data collection in Germany.

muna aikins

Muna Aikins

Afrozensus – EOTO, Each One Teach One e.V.
Max Planck Institute for Human Development,
Predoctoral Fellow

 

Post-break energiser and warm-up session

We resume with a brief activity to re-engage you in the discussion.

  • Brigid Transon, European Public Health Alliance, Organisational Development Trainee

Equality data: policy implications and translation 

Wrapping up the presentations of the first half of the day on equality data, this interactive session’s purpose is to take a step towards concrete solutions. We explore how the lessons from the Dutch and German case studies can be translated to policy action. We further discuss EU policy context implications, for example how it informs national anti-racism action plans, and their related indicators. By highlighting challenges and opportunities, we get an idea on how indicator use and data collection can be developed and reproduced on a wider scale. 

angelo camufingo photo

Moderator: Angelo Camufingo

 

Each One Teach One (EOTO) e.V., Project Lead

tanja florath photo

Tanja Florath

European Commission, DG JUST, Unit D2 Non-discrimination, Policy Officer

daris

Daris José Lewis Rucio

 

Equinet, Legal & Policy Officer

Civil society consultation on post-2025 EU anti-racism agenda and national-level implementation 

We conclude two days of rich discussion with a consultation to add further considerations. Mila Paspalanova introduces this session with a recap on a human rights-based approach to policy. Afterwards, we open the floor for input. Participants are encouraged to share their (prepared) interventions to ensure the conference’s reporting is as comprehensive as possible. 

Frazer

 Frazer Goodwin

 

European Public Health Alliance, Senior Communications & Advocacy Manager 

tanja florath photo

Tanja Florath

European Commission, DG JUST, Unit D2 Non-discrimination, Policy Officer

mila

Mila Paspalanova 

 

OHCHR, Anti-racial discrimination advisor 

Conclusion

Jacqueline provides the closing words of the conference, repeating key take-aways to bring structure and a red threat to the topics discussed, anticipating the recommendations that will be put together after the event. The conference is then officially closed.

  • Jacqueline Bowman-Busato 
ohchr.svg

Contact Us

Raymond Gemen
Head of Policy, EPHA
raymond.gemen@epha.org

Get the EPHA Newsletter

The best of our activities, right in your inbox!