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About
IPU
In the 1980's, many NGO's recognized
as the forces of globalization grew stronger, very few local issues and
problems were unrelated to global processes. This awareness represented
an important paradigm shift in social justice work. International Possibilities
Unlimited (IPU) was formed in 1997 to help mobilize people of African
descent and to ensure black communities' participation in this new paradigm.
IPU believes social and economic injustices can best be solved through
global strategies. IPU mobilizes national and international networks to
participate in international forums and advocates for social justice,
conducts research, provides technical assistance, serves as a clearinghouse
for information, and provides avenues for experiential learning.
What
we have done recently
- Organized consultations
on civic inclusion and development decision-making in Barbados and Kenya.
- Co-organized the Environmental
Justice Weekend in Durban, which included an International Forum and
Toxic Tour.
- Created several publications
on the WCAR including a magazine, newsletters, background information
packets and briefing updates.
- Conducted exchanges
between environmental justice activists in the United States and activists
in Nigeria, Ecuador and South Africa.
Selected
Accomplishments:
Participated on the Emergency National Commission
of Inquiry on Environmental and Economic Justice in St. James Parish,
Louisiana and wrote the section of the Commission's report that ties the
findings to international human rights law.
- Participated in the December 1998 National Environmental Justice Advisory
Council meeting.
- Assisted residents of Norco, Louisiana after a toxic release by the
Shell plant in their neighborhood.
- Accompanied a delegation from Louisiana to the United Nations Commission
on Human Rights
- Wrote the article, "Environmental Devastation at Home and Abroad:
The Importance of Understanding the Link", for a Briefing Pack
that was disseminated at the United Nations in Geneva.
- Facilitated meetings between Nigerian and U.S. environmental activists.
- Participated in the 8th Nuclear Free and Independent Pacific conference
in Tahiti and helped draft the resolutions on the environment.
- Presented a keynote address on environmental racism at a World Council
of Churches global conference in Brazil entitled, "Understanding
Racism Today."
- Organized the International Panel for the National Emergency Gathering
of Black Community Advocates for Environmental and Economic Justice,
held in New Orleans, December 1999.
- Organized an NGO Briefing on the UN World Conference Against Racism
with representatives from the UN, the CERD Committee, State Department
and White House in March 2000.
- Facilitated the participation of a 15-member NGO network in the 1st
PrepCom for the World Conference Against Racism in Geneva in May 2000.
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