Global Racism and Xenophobia: Impact on Women, Children, and Youth

The General Conference of The United Methodist Church affirms the United Nations principles relating to global racism, tribalism, and xenophobia.1

The General Conference reaffirms the principles of equality and nondiscrimination in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and encourages respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction of any kind such as race, color, sex, language, religion, political, tribe, or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, or other status.

We, the General Conference, affirm that all peoples and individuals constitute one human family, rich in diversity. “So now you are no longer strangers and aliens. Rather, you are fellow citizens with God’s people, and you belong to God’s household” (Ephesians 2:19).

We recognize the fundamental importance of nations in combating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, tribalism, and related intolerance and the need to consider signing, ratifying or acceding to all relevant international human rights instruments, with a view to international adherence.

We recognize that religion, spirituality, and belief can contribute to the promotion of the inherent dignity and worth of the human person and to the eradication of racism.

We recognize that racism reveals itself in a different manner for women and girls and can be among the factors leading to deterioration in their living conditions, poverty, violence, multiple forms of discrimination, and the limitation or denial of their human rights.

We recognize the need to develop a more systematic and consistent approach to evaluating and monitoring racial discrimination against women, children, and youth.

Therefore, we, the General Conference, urge that, in light of these affirmations and principles, each nation in which The United Methodist Church is established:

• adhere to the principles and programs contained in the opening statements;

• incorporate a gender perspective in all programs of action against racism, tribalism, and xenophobia;

• undertake detailed research on racism, tribalism, and xenophobia, especially in respect to its effect on women, children, and youth;

1. Principles can be found on the United Nations website in various reports including “Declarations World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, Durban, South Africa, 31 August to 8 September 2001.”

• address the burden of such discrimination on women, children, and youth and promote their participation in the economic and productive development of their communities, especially in respect to:

  • the increased proportion of women migrant workers, human rights violations perpetrated against them, and the contribution they make to the economies of their countries or their host countries;
  • the large number of children and young people, particularly girls, who are victims of racism, tribalism, and xenophobia;
  • the rights of children belonging to an ethnic, religious, linguistic minority or indigenous community and their right individually or in community to enjoy their own culture, their own religion, and their own language;
  • child labor and its links to poverty, lack of development, and related socioeconomic conditions that can perpetuate poverty and racial discrimination disproportionately, denying children a productive life and economic growth;
  • education at all levels and all ages.

• involve women, children, and youth in decision-making at all levels related to the eradication of racism, tribalism, and xenophobia;

Therefore, we further resolve that the General Commission on Religion and Race, the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women, in consultation with United Methodist Women, assess evidences of racism, tribalism, and xenophobia in pro- grams for and with women, children, and youth;

• all mission institutions, schools, and institutions of higher education, annual conferences, and general agencies evaluate current and projected programs to determine their impact in reducing racism, tribalism, and xenophobia in programs for women, children, and youth; and

• a report be prepared and presented to each General Conference by the General Commission on Religion and Race, the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women, in consultation with United Methodist Women, related to the status of women, children, and youth impacted by racism, tribalism, and xenophobia.

ADOPTED 2004 READOPTED 2008 AMENDED AND REDOPTED 2016 RESOLUTION #6024, 2008, 2012 BOOK OF RESOLUTIONS RESOLUTION #286, 2004 BOOK OF RESOLUTIONS

See Social Principles, ¶ 165.