On March 26, 2021, the Dialogue hosted the online event “Afro-descendants: Striving for Equality in Latin America” in partnership with the Inter-American Foundation (IAF). Participants focused on addressing the pre- and post-Covid challenges and opportunities facing Afro-descendants in the region, including access to higher education, public office, corporate boardrooms, economic opportunity, formal employment, clean water, and quality health services.
Much remains to be done to protect and promote Afro-Descendant communities’ rights and development in Colombia, according to the panel discussion hosted by the Inter-American Dialogue, the Gender and Diversity Unit at the Inter-American Development Bank, and Phelps Stokes on May 20, 2011. Although Colombia has made steps in the right direction, current policies need to be reinforced. It was also suggested that Afro-Descendants work together across countries and communities to better envision a common purpose and to strengthen their political influence.
