About Us
ORIGINS OF THE GREAT TRUST
Although the founders of the GREAT Trust have been involved internationally in human rights and equality struggle for decades, the idea of formation was birthed at the dawn of the Millennium in January 2000 when the whole world was engulfed in understandable great funfair, expectations and hope for the future. At the same time, not completely oblivious from the razzmatazz of the passing away of the old and the inception of a new millennium, a debate started amongst a few progressives about the fierce urgency of time to manifest the equality of races and human rights. It is important therefore that the GREAT Trust is appreciated as a renaissance; essentially new thinking and not just a legal entity or structure.
Suddenly, it became all too clear that while the world has made progress, by contradiction it has seriously defaulted on the fundamental rights of man where basic needs eludes the majority of global citizenry to whom life has become sheer drudgery amidst the claims of ‘world civilisation’ and scientific advancement. What kind of civilisation thrives so much profound misery? In one fell swoop, the huge human and material cost of this neglect of racial equality and human rights became compellingly apparent and the degree, enormity and global character of the problem stark. This group thought that the above fact was a scar on the claim to human civilisation and damned all human achievements. The overwhelming conclusion was that until the basic needs of every citizen of the world are met, the claim to human civilisation was dubious. A redemption crusade became inevitable; an empowering, enabling and liberating renaissance was imperative. This work thus is thus needs-led and empirically-determined.
The group started asking questions and the debate intensified. Discussions examined a plethora of angles of this rude awakening including the human and material resource endowment of the earth, the arrangements of governance, distribution of wealth, international agencies and instruments to safeguard race equality and human rights, key players and the constraints of each of these. Eight years since those deep reflections by this group, have witnessed some important developments including the Make Poverty History Campaign, Commission for Africa, Millennium Development Goals, the demise of the Commissions for Racial Equality, Disability and Equal Opportunities and the formation of the Equality and Human Rights Commission in the UK, all of which have their limited objectives.
The fateful proclamations of Nobel Prize laureate Dr James Watson in October 2007 that Africans were of lower intelligence than Europeans and the fastly approaching 60th Anniversary of the UN Declaration of Human Rights on 10th December 2008 have accorded additional impetus to the need for innovative action. Finally but not the least the recent loss of lives by youth, especially minority youth in the UK strikes a wake up call to which there is an apparent but shocking paradigmatic paralysis by existing authorities. The argument for new platforms, new schools of thought, approaches and paradigms could not be more compelling.
WHY THE GREAT TRUST IS IMPERATIVE
The appalling consequences of the global economic disorder are symptomatically predicated on a hierarchy of racism, inequality and non-manifestation of human rights including non-guarantee of basic needs. The Bicentenary Anniversary of the Slave Trade Abolition [2007] and the approaching 60th Anniversary of the UN Declaration of Human Rights [Dec 2008] unequivocally demonstrate the failure of existing mechanisms to bring about socio-economic, cultural and political justice. For example, the North-South divide is predicated on a notion of scientific racism which permeates dominant old schools of development and underdevelopment, notion of first and third worlds, and perpetuate the blight and suffering of minorities including Afrikans the world over. The avaricious and cyclically crisis nature of capitalism has unleashed a delayed cyclical global recession out of which the greatest casualties would be fundamental rights and race equality – skyrocketing energy, food prices and cost of living, record foreclosures, heightened vulnerability and insecurity, cataclysmic natural disasters, visibly pathetic absence of cast iron panacea by the authorities, powerful and influential. The old schools of thought, platforms and paradigms of equalities and human rights have abysmally failed to guarantee equity, dignity security and decent living standards which therefore compromise the inalienable. New paradigms and approaches have become imperative with a most fierce urgency of time.
WHY WE ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT THE GREAT TRUST
Firstly, it is an historic illusion to rely on the same outmoded, subversive, institutional arrangements and parochially exclusive and dictatorial methodologies predicated on supremacist ideologies to deliver the desirable qualitative libertarian outcomes of race equality and human rights anywhere in the world. It is impossible to achieve different results and high-impacting outcomes by resorting to the same old ways of doing things. Ultimately these cost lives, are protracted, piecemeal, paternalistic and have failed abysmally. Only an agenda for change a la GREAT stands a chance to sew, nurture and harvest long sought meaningful equality and human rights outcomes for the people.
Secondly, the denial and abuse of fundamental human rights of the majority of global citizenry is a smear on the claim to human civilisation. We hold that every human being must have inalienable rights central to which is race equality restored. We are appalled by the untold and ceaseless sufferings by the world’s majority and therefore for ethical and practical reasons, we believe that our cause is a good, just and right cause; to be active partners to find creative and innovative solutions and structure able to withstand the challenges of the 21st Century and beyond.
Thirdly, we staunchly believe in the letter and spirit of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights [UNHR] that will be 60 in December 2008 and the objectives of United Nations Committee on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination [CERD]. We consider the 60th anniversary a unique opportunity to lobby for radical imperatives and approaches that would generate awareness and forceful momentum to effectuate the necessary paradigm shift to realise race equality and fundamental human rights through the promotion of basic needs.
Finally but no the least, our faith teaches us that almighty God created man in his own image and that each and every human being is wonderfully and uniquely made. As such we passionately believe that racial discrimination and the denial of inalienable fundamental rights are evil, abhorrent, must be condemned and reversed. We believe therefore that any arrangements that condone the status quo are ineffectual and require radical rethink and re-provision to bring about the desired results.
THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE GREAT TRUST
No one lives forever and every gift of life has an overriding purpose to make the world a better place. The founders of GREAT believe that it is intrinsic for every human being to be precious about race equality and human rights above everything else. As every human being is born equal with certain inalienable rights, it is sensible for all human persons to acknowledge the equality of persons, the fact of one human race and celebrate the diversity imposed by nature.
PRINCIPLES OF THE GREAT TRUST
The following constitute the key principles that guide our work ethos and ethics.
Human rights are universal and inalienable; indivisible; interdependent and interrelated. They are universal because everyone is born with and possesses the same rights, regardless of where they live, their gender or race, or their religious, cultural or ethnic background. They are inalienable, because people’s rights can never be taken away. Indivisible and interdependent because all rights – political, civil, social, cultural and economic – are equal in importance and none can be fully enjoyed without the others. They apply to all equally, and all have the right to participate in decisions that affect their lives. They are upheld by the rule of law and strengthened through legitimate claims for duty-bearers to be accountable to international standards.
Equality and Non-discrimination - All individuals are equal as human beings and by virtue of the inherent dignity of each human person. No one, therefore, should suffer discrimination on the basis of race, colour, ethnicity, gender, age, language, sexual orientation, religion, political or other opinion, national, social or geographical origin, disability, property, birth or other status as established by human rights standards
Universality and Inalienability: Human rights are universal and inalienable. All people everywhere in the world are entitled to them. The universality of human rights is encompassed in the words of Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.”
Indivisibility: Human rights are indivisible. Whether they relate to civil, cultural, economic, political or social issues, human rights are inherent to the dignity of every human person. Consequently, all human rights have equal status, and cannot be positioned in a hierarchical order. Denial of one right invariably impedes enjoyment of other rights. Thus, the right of everyone to an adequate standard of living cannot be compromised at the expense of other rights, such as the right to health or the right to education.
Interdependence and Interrelatedness - Human rights are interdependent and interrelated. Each one contributes to the realization of a person’s human dignity through the satisfaction of his or her developmental, physical, psychological and spiritual needs. The fulfilment of one right often depends, wholly or in part, upon the fulfilment of others. For instance, fulfilment of the right to health may depend, in certain circumstances, on fulfilment of the right to development, to education or to information.
Participation and Inclusion - All people have the right to participate in and access information relating to the decision-making processes that affect their lives and well-being. Rights-based approaches require a high degree of participation by communities, civil society, minorities, women, young people, indigenous peoples and other identified groups.
Accountability and Rule of Law - States and other duty-bearers are answerable for the observance of human rights. In this regard, they have to comply with the legal norms and standards enshrined in international human rights instruments. Where they fail to do so, aggrieved rights-holders are entitled to institute proceedings for appropriate redress before a competent court or other adjudicator in accordance with the rules and procedures provided by law. Individuals, the media, civil society and the international community play important roles in holding governments accountable for their obligation to uphold human rights.
Empowerment – We believe that the fundamental human rights confirm a mandate to self-empowerment and empowerment of the disempowered and vulnerable in society
Equal Opportunities and Diversity – We are clear that race equality and human rights are fully compatible with the promotion of equality of opportunities and the respect and celebration of diversity.
VALUES OF THE GREAT TRUST
GREAT’S operations are based and influenced generally by the following values which further build define our unique characteristics and guide our corporate culture
Integrity – We live the change that we expect of others
Equality – We believe in equal treatment of all persons
Dignity – We accord everyone with dignity
Justice – We treat everyone with justice
Truth – We base our operations on truths and not manipulations
Reason – We employ the power of reason and common-sense
Compassion – We are not self righteous and acknowledge the infallibility of man and adopt compassion dispositions
Tolerance – We tolerate dissent on matters of debate, to facilitate the process of thesis and anti-thesis to crystallise into synthesis
Fairness – We believe that fairness is a powerful tool to right the wrongs of the past and collaborate for a better future
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES OF THE GREAT TRUST
GREAT TRUST is a global race equality and human rights think and doing tank, that provides innovative, cutting-edge equalities and human rights interventions - enlightenment, advocacy, representation, research and programs, established for the public benefit and for general charitable purposes according to the laws of England and Wales and in particular but not exclusively for the promotion of equality, diversity, socio-economic justice, self-sufficiency and total emancipation of marginalized people including those of Afrikan and Afrikan Caribbean origin, the youth and other disadvantaged, alongside the protection of equality and human rights defenders with the support of a broad-church of allies and partners from different cultural backgrounds who empathise to our vision, mission and strategic objectives. We fully subscribe to and are driven by the spirit and letter of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights and associated international directives. The objects of the GREAT TRUST are:
1 The establishment of race equality between persons of different cultural backgrounds through enlightenment interventions that emancipates minds of scientifically unfounded and unethical prejudice and stereotype - information, communication, analysis, research, programs and policy influence;
2 To promote the ultimate idea of one human race endowed with equal rights and civil liberties through sustained comprehensive and proactive interventions including programmatic campaigns and awareness raising manifestations that enhances harmony between persons and communities;
3 The establishment of freedom and justice for all members of the human family through collaborative work, relationship building and effective engagement strategy with relevant local, regional, national and international constituencies and agencies;
4 The establishment of human equality irrespective of skin pigmentations, ethnic origin, gender, sex, disability, faith, age, nationality and all other human differences through the promotion of global citizenship, critical analysis and assessment of existing legislative and strategic frameworks to establish policy and operational implications;
5 The promotion of the idea that at any given time, the youth are the leaders of tomorrow and as such, to actively design, plan, procure resources and implement specific programs directed at the inclusion, guidance, empowerment and facilitation of a holistic development, enriched exposure and experience of the youth to become fully equipped as responsible citizens;
6 The promotion of economic empowerment, ethical wealth creation, basic needs and decent standard of living as fundamental human rights through capacity building programs, enterprise development and engagement with relevant institutions;
7 The advocacy of equality of opportunity in education cum training, employment, health, criminal justice, housing, immigration, access to financial services between and within persons from different racial groups through dialogue, representation, lobbying and targeted campaigns;
8 To promote the safety, security and fulfilment of the interests of specific groups such as vulnerable youth, orphans, women, offenders and ex-offenders, the elderly, orphans, asylum seekers and refugees, undocumented migrants, the infirm through targeted affirmation programs to harness talents for public benefit;
9 Endeavour to highlight the risks that confront Human Rights Defenders from across the globe and advocate for better conditions, safeguards and immunity for human rights activists through policy, resource allocation and decision-making influence; to facilitate the development and formation of the Institute of International Human Rights Practitioners.
10 To promote global peace and bridge-building through the development and advocacy of effective conflict prevention and resolution models for the protection of equality and human rights.
