GC37 "That All May Be One," Policy Statement on Anti-Racism

Item 1 Mandate

The Anti-Racism Implementation Working Group was to serve as a resource group to develop an implementation plan for the vision and priorities in the DMC's Anti-Racism Task Group Report, adopted by GC 36 in Camrose, Alberta, August 1997; and to evaluate ongoing work.

Based on the recommendations in the report to GC 36, the Implementation Group is responsible to help the DMC and EMC achieve these short-term goals in support of anti-racism in The United Church of Canada:

• To develop an anti-racism policy statement for presentation to the 37th General Council
• To develop a strategy and practical tools to equip local congregations in combating racism in their
  own context.
• To work together with the interdivisional core staff team to assess, monitor and report anti-racism
  work across the church.

Item 2 Executive Summary

"That All May Be One", Policy Statement on Anti-Racism documents our calling, as Christians, to work for a society in which the words of the Gospel are brought to life and the sin of racism addressed. It is based on the belief that all humans are sacred, whatever their culture, race or religion and that God is found in our common diversity. The strategies for "oneness", presented in the document, are grounded in the recent work of the church and grassroots consultation. The work that has been identified as necessary is organised into four areas:

• Organising for the full participation of all peoples. Structures, policies and practices must provide for participation of Aboriginal and First Nations peoples and people of racial and ethnocultural minority, within The United Church of Canada at every level of the church, particularly decision-making bodies.
• Organising for diversity by supporting anti-racism work and promoting positive relationships among the diverse racial and ethnocultural groups within The United Church of Canada. We recognise our need to develop education resources and capacity, co-ordinate activities and advocacy, and broaden our culturally bound understanding of worship and ministry.
• Acting justly by endeavouring to act justly within its own structures, courts, policies and practice. We realise we need to address systemic racism and work for just relationships within our body.
• Speaking to the world by supporting anti-racism work within broader society. As Christians, we are called to uphold justice for all God's people and live out the gospel in the world of legislation, regulations, policy and practice and media.

Resources