History
Many past generations of advocates across North America have worked and fought for societies that are not only diverse in their demographics but truly equitable, inclusive and committed to racial justice. For present-day generations, the racial reckoning in 2020 dramatically increased the urgency to address barriers to equity and racial justice. In the years since then, societal expectations have shifted, and legislative obligations have been introduced that reflect this. What we need now is a space for strategic conversations and for tangible actions to achieve the kind of change that is needed to realize the full vision of equity and racial justice in North America.
The 2023 North American Partnership for Equity and Racial Justice with CNERJ as its Canadian Chapter can be that space! This is a unique opportunity to establish a trilateral network of advocates and experts to facilitate the exchange of information, share best practices and innovative strategies, and facilitate the pursuit of cross-border initiatives for advancing equity and racial justice in society and public policy across North America. Now needed more than ever!
The Agreement identified the following priorities:
- Engage communities with lived experience of racism, discrimination, and hate
- Drive solutions to protect the rights of members of marginalized communities
- Advance health equity and economic inclusion
- Address racial and other disparities in the justice system
- Assist in access to the ballot
- Provide educational opportunities
- Reflect the diversity of the three countries in their federal public services workforce
- Bring researchers and activists together across Canada, the U.S. and Mexico
Within Canada, CNERJ is focusing on anti-racism, equity and decoloniality in the following areas:
- Business and Labor
- Essential Services (housing and healthcare)
- Political participation
- Legal system and law enforcement
- Social participation (education, arts & culture, media)
- Hate and hate crimes
Vision, Mission & Values
Vision
Along with its North American allies and collaborators, CNERJ will build a strong organizational foundation and drive collaborative action. We envision a North America in which Canada, the United States, and Mexico work together to confront systemic discrimination, and to advance a unified civil society agenda against racism and hate. By building a lasting national and international network, fostering collaboration, and tracking progress transparently, we aim to advance racial equity, social justice, and human dignity across North America.
Mission
CNERJ works to advance equity and racial justice across North America by facilitating the exchange of information, sharing best practices, and supporting cross-border initiatives among Canada, the United States, and Mexico. We engage the different sectors to establish collaborative, evidence-based strategies that respond to the specific needs of communities within the Network. Through this work, we help shape public policy, strengthen civil society, and identify new opportunities for collective action – from the local to the national to the international level.
Values
CNERJ is grounded in the values of equity, anti-racism, and decoloniality as essential to transformative social change. We believe that achieving these values requires recognizing how racism and discrimination are embedded in our societies, and we are firmly committed to dismantling these systemic barriers to equity and racial justice.