Our vision on anti-racism, JEDI and decolonization is…
To become a more just, inclusive and equitable organization, unbound by the oppressive systems of racism, white supremacy, patriarchy and the legacy of colonialism that have fueled global poverty and inequality
Oxfam Canada’s overarching commitment statement
Oxfam Canada is a feminist organization that dreams of a just and sustainable world. Our mission is to fight inequality and patriarchy to end poverty and injustice. We have a deeply held conviction that ending poverty and injustice is only possible when gender equality is achieved and gender non-conforming people and women and men, both cisgender and transgender – in all their diversity – fully enjoy their rights. We value accountability, courage, empowerment, equality, inclusion and solidarity.
We cannot achieve our mission or live up to our values without understanding and challenging pervasive and intersecting systems of oppression such as racism, colonialism, patriarchy, paternalism, white supremacy, white feminism, sexism, cissexism, heterosexism, classism, ageism, ableism, xenophobia and other forms of injustice and discrimination. We recognize the longstanding power imbalances and the existence of systems of oppression in the international development and humanitarian sector in which we work, as well as in our own organization, which have resulted in discrimination, oppression and harm.
We also acknowledge the historical and ongoing oppression and colonization of all Indigenous Peoples, cultures and lands on what we now know as Canada. As settlers on these lands, we have a responsibility to work with and support First Nations, Inuit and Métis to achieve their rights and to advance reconciliation.
Oxfam Canada stands against all systems of oppression, violence, and hate. We stand for justice, equity, diversity, inclusion and decolonization within our organization and society at large.
We are committed to:
- Growing as a feminist, anti-racist and inclusive organization, which includes identifying and dismantling our biases and systems of oppression in our culture, our policies, processes and programs.
- Changing our operating model and the ways in which we communicate, fundraise and disburse funds in order to shift power and resources towards the actors who are at the frontlines of the fight for social justice and human rights, particularly to Black, Indigenous, and women’s rights, 2SLGBTQ+ rights, and feminist organizations and movements.
- Working in solidarity with Indigenous Peoples – particularly First Nations, Inuit and Métis – in their struggles for self-determination and justice.
Influencing power shifts within the Oxfam confederation and the broader international development and humanitarian ecosystem to ensure that those experiencing poverty, discrimination and injustice have the resources and the power to drive change for good, in alignment with the Pledge for Change.
To advance our commitment to anti-racism, JEDI and decolonization, we will focus on six goals:
Foundational
Goal A – An inclusive and accountable leadership
Internal focus
Goal B – A diverse Staff and Board
Goal C – An organizational culture of inclusion and belonging
External focus
Goal D – Diverse and equitable partnerships in Canada
Goal E – Substantive progress towards localization and decolonization
Goal F – Community-Centric Fundraising and Communications Model
Milestones In Our recent Journey
Spring 2021
- OCA’s 2021-2025 strategic framework commits us to grow as a feminist, anti-racist and inclusive organization
- We developed our first Plan of Action on Anti-Racism in early 2021
- We signed on to the Cooperation Canada sector-wide anti-racism framework
- We continued to resource and support staff-led committees on anti-racism and JEDI; Indigenous Rights and Justice; Feminist Principles; Organizational culture, among others
Summer, fall and winter 2021-2022
- We hired external consultants to uncover trends of racism and discrimination in the context of our work, and identify the systemic barriers to creating a culture of JEDI at OCA
- The consultants facilitated listening sessions and focus group sessions with current and former staff
- New Board Composition and Nomination Policy adopted, with diversity targets (now fulfilled).
- OCA approved a Plan of Action in Support of Indigenous Rights
Spring 2022
- The Deputy Executive Director position was created with mandate to lead OCA’s overall work on anti-racism and JEDI
- The consultant’s final report (April-JEDI report) was finalized and shared with OCA staff and former staff who participated
- Various debriefing and drop-in sessions held for staff to share their views on the report
Summer and Fall 2022
- Design and launch of the first OCA demographic profile survey (snapshot July 2022)
- Departmental and all-staff decolonization reflection sessions
- Monthly anti-racism and JEDI drop-ins with staff
- Developing an anti-racism and JEDI report 2021-2022
- New onboarding process with clear anti-racism and JEDI priorities.
- Creation of Decolonization working group
- Measurement of our work against the Center for Global Inclusion’s Global Diversity and Inclusion Benchmarks
Winter and Spring 2022-2023
- Production of our first Accessibility Survey in January 2023.
- Approval of our new anti-racism and JEDI policy
- Creation of a Board committee on governance, anti-racism, JEDI, and reconciliation
- Launch of our anti-racism and anti-oppression principles
- Drafting Oxfam Canada’s 2023-2025 Anti-Racism, JEDI and decolonization Strategy and Action Plan.
Oxfam Canada’s anti-racism and anti-oppression (ARAO) principles
- We denounce white supremacy and racism in all their forms -particularly anti-black racism and anti-Indigenous racism, and challenge the structures that institutionalize white power and privilege.
- We recognize and seek to overcome our conscious and unconscious biases and prejudices.
- We take a holistic approach and embrace the discomfort and messiness of trying to understand and challenge intersecting systems of oppression.
- We actively seek to decolonize our ways of working, redistribute power and contribute to reconciliation in Canada.
- We prioritize listening and learning from, and elevating the voice of, those most affected by systems of oppression.
- We appreciate, respect and celebrate our diversity.
- We are humble and recognize that we are flawed and fallible and take responsibility for our mistakes.
- We base our work on anti-racism and anti-oppression on the best available evidence from diverse sources.
- We encourage and champion open discussion, feedback, constructive criticism, reflection, and ongoing assessments to advance a long-term structural and cultural transformation of our organization.
- We are a courageous and visible ally for those fighting oppression, particularly Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) and Two Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and/or Non-binary (2SLGTBQ+) activists and organizations.
Oxfam Canada’s vision is that of a just and sustainable world, and our mission is to fight inequality and patriarchy to end poverty and injustice. We are a feminist organization with a deeply held conviction that ending poverty begins with women’s rights.
Oxfam Canada has strengthened our commitments to advance anti-racism, diversity, equity and inclusion.
Over the past year, Oxfam has undertaken the following actions in support of becoming a more actively anti-racist organization.
Oxfam Land Acknowledgement Oxfam Canada acknowledges the historical and ongoing oppression and colonization of all Indigenous Peoples, cultures and lands in the place we now know as Canada. Photo: Chris…
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