International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (IDERD) is observed annually on 21 March, serving as a moment to reflect on inherent structures of power and to redouble efforts to eradicate all forms of racial discrimination

Across the Group, we celebrate diversity and promote inclusivity every day.

On this day, the Be Yourself Ethnicity Affinity Group brought awareness to this significant historical event, featuring remarks from our South African colleagues, and explaining to colleagues how they could show their support to #FightRacism.

What is IDERD and why is it important?

On 21 March 1960, 69 people were killed by police at a peaceful demonstration against apartheid “pass laws” in Sharpeville, South Africa. These laws, instituted under British rule and modelled after similar laws instituted against Indigenous people in Canada, served to limit the movement of Black people, people of colour, and Indigenous people in Africa. While such overt racial discrimination may feel like ancient history, recent world events remind us that we still have a long way to go to challenge racial discrimination.

In South Africa, the democratic government declared 21^st March Human Rights Day to commemorate and honour those who fought for the liberation and the rights enjoyed today. It is also a public holiday to remind South Africans about the sacrifices that accompanied the struggle for the attainment of democracy in South Africa. The commemoration provides the country with an opportunity to reflect on progress made in the promotion and protection of human rights.

The South African Constitution is hailed as one of the most progressive in the world. The Constitution is the ultimate protector of Human Rights, which were previously denied to the majority of people under Apartheid. South Africans commemorate Human Rights Day to reinforce the commitment to the Bill of Rights as enshrined in the Constitution.​​​​​​

These rights include:

1.        Equality – everyone is equal before the law and has the right to equal protection and benefit of the law.

2.      Human dignity – everyone has inherent dignity and have their dignity respected and protected.

3.      Freedom of movement and residence – everyone has a right to freedom of movement and to reside anywhere in the country.

4.      Language and culture – everyone has the right to use the language and to participate in the cultural life of their choice.

5.      Life - everyone has the right to live.

To show some of the positive changes and negative encounters South Africans still face, our colleagues in South Africa share their experiences:

"People have evolved & are open to engage with any race when it comes to work or even public areas."

"A customer asked to speak to someone from the UK, Cheryl promises to assist & handle the matter for the customer. Customer started using foul language whilst also saying we need to go back to our country."

"[People] of colour have more opportunities and are free to go anywhere they want compared in Apartheid when they were restricted."

"Here in South Africa, we still have a population with high unemployed black and coloured communities."

"[Racism] isn’t completely gone. We have certainly made positive strides towards a better future where people of different races can work together in successful companies."

"A Black petrol attendant was racially discriminated against due to the fact that it was perceived that he only assisted fellow Black people. This obviously was not the case."

"Female colleague was approached a “white” lady to ask a question, [but was mistaken for asking] for money, which made her feel discriminated against."

Showing support

For colleagues in South Africa who are celebrating Human Rights Month throughout March, it’s a reminder that everyone has the responsibility to uphold a culture of human rights and to shape the country’s future, whether it’s using their influence within the workplace or community, at school, or with our partners and children. Outside of South Africa, we can support by learning from this story, spreading the word and find ways to get involved in making positive change.

The Ethnicity Group asked colleagues to show their solidarity by updating their Microsoft Teams background to help raise awareness.

For the day of Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, the Group shared an article which inspired a lot of positive conversation and sharing, internally:  

Cultural diversity is the existence of different cultural or ethnic groups within society. Learning about other cultures can help to broaden our understanding of others in our communities. It also helps eliminate biases about those who are different due to religion, ethnicity, language, nationality, and other characteristics.

According to the UN, three quarters of the world’s major conflicts are due to culture clashes. Therefore, bridging the gap between cultures is urgent and necessary for peace, stability, and development.

First declared by the UN in 2002, World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development is commemorated on 21st May, providing an opportunity to deepen our understanding of the values of cultural diversity, recognising culture’s contribution to sustainable development – one that the UN refers to as a ‘driving force of development, not only with respect to economic growth, but also as a means of leading a more fulfilling intellectual, emotional, moral and spiritual life’. You can learn more about this day and about cultural diversity here.

Fostering multiculturalism is not only positive in terms of contributing to global peace, stability, and development - it can also benefit organisations such as ours. Studies have shown that multicultural teams are more creative than homogenous teams, especially those with more diverse attitudes and values towards culture.

The senior leadership team within PFG particularly acknowledge the positives of sharing unique perspectives and experiences, not just for innovating at work but for team members to become more well-rounded, as exhibited by the huge strides being made by the PFG Be Yourself diversity and inclusion community.

The Ethnicity Affinity Group exists to create a workplace where ethnic and cultural differences are celebrated.  To bring this to life, members of the Ethnicity Affinity Group encouraged all of us to learn something about another culture and to think about how cultural diversity brings us together by sharing some of their favourite culturally specific dishes. They invited colleagues you to share theirs, by visiting the Ethnicity Affinity Group Social Intranet pages to share their favourite cultural dish and why.

Sol’s favourite dish: Akara – a delicious main course

Akara (savoury Nigerian pancakes). If I was stranded on a desert island but had one limitless food supply/option it'd be this. Just the right mix of spice and savoury, super-efficient as can be served / eaten hot or cold too. So much cultural cohesion comes from shared experiences, like many, I have fond memories of what the communal serving of this food evokes. I know how to make it too, so at some stage, we can have a real-life world food day. My Mum's are better though, so maybe we'll enlist her!

Jenn’s favourite dish: Tang Yuan - A dessert to finish

Tang Yuan can be described as sweet dumplings, and they’re very easy to make. The outer ‘wrapper’ is made of glutinous rice flour so the texture is sticky soft, and the filling can be a simple sweet black sesame paste, red bean, or peanut – all of which are popular choices. Then, it’s boiled and steeped in a lightly sweet soup made of ginger and brown sugar and eaten together. The filling and combinations will vary depending on the region of China you’re from, or what your family raised you on.