International Decade for People of African Descent Advisory Committee

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NOW RECRUITING

To continue advancing the goals of the Decade for People of African Descent, the City is extending the Committee’s work through to October 2026. We are currently recruiting for six vacant positions as part of this extension.

Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, July 16, 2025.
Apply Now 
 

About the IDPAD Advisory Committee

To advance Council’s commitment to acknowledging and recognizing the International Decade for People of African Descent 2015-2024, the City of Victoria established an advisory committee to support the Decade’s three themes of recognition, justice and development.

The City of Victoria’s International Decade for People of African Descent Advisory Committee’s initiatives are to:  

•    Act in fulfillment of the United Nations, Government of Canada and City of Victoria IDPAD proclamations by identifying, addressing and removing barriers in policies, services, programs and civic participation.
•    Support and implement the IDPAD proclamation within the City of Victoria and community at large, including the development of committee-led, partnered and supported plans and actions, as well as the administration of the IDPAD Youth Grant.  
•    Advise Council and City Departments on projects, initiatives and emerging issues that support the IDPAD pillars of recognition, justice and development in Victoria.  
•    Share best practices and raise awareness with the City of Victoria and the broader community around the IDPAD objectives, pillars and plans.  
•    Share updates on City activities and IDPAD implementation with community groups and supporting organizations.  

Purpose

The purpose of the International Decade for People of African Descent (IDPAD) Advisory Committee is to provide Council with recommendations on the following:

• The recommended approach to implementing the IDPAD proclamation within the City of Victoria and community at large, including the development of a three-year action plan
• Receive and communicate out City activities and updates related to the IDPAD implementation to parent organizations the member represents, where applicable
• Best practices to raise awareness in the general public about the heritage and culture of people of African descent and around the IDPAD broader goals and actions
• Advise Council on emerging issues and trends of significance to Black communities as they relate to City services and programs through semi-annual reports
• How to ensure the interests and needs of Black communities are reflected in City programs and service delivery

The Committee will also engage people of African descent and other community members through a series of at least three public workshops and one town hall meeting, to include the ideas of the broader community of the work of the IDPAD Advisory Committee and the City of Victoria’s work in implementing the IDPAD proclamation.

 For more information, please read the Terms of Reference.

Eligibility

The City is currently recruiting six committee members of African descent.  
•    Where possible, members shall reflect the diversity of people of African descent to support the objectives of the IDPAD mandate.  
•    Committee membership will aim to include individuals representing a broad range of under-served and equity seeking groups.

• Members may be appointed from Greater Victoria with preference given to Victoria residents. 
• The advisory committee should represent a broad cross-section of people of African descent including:
  •  elders who self-identify with and represents the communities of African Descent
  • youth between the ages of 18 to 29
  • individuals who represent an organization or businesses led by individuals of African descent
  • individuals who lead and support removing barriers encountered by racialized and marginalized communities, including those from the African diaspora
  • individuals with knowledge or lived experience in racial equity, intersectionality, accessibility, gender equity and social justice  
  • individuals with a range of interests and expertise related to the IDPAD pillars of recognition, justice and development in a variety of fields serving the community of African descent including:  arts, sports, economic development, housing, safety, mental health, education and other areas.

Time Commitment

The IDPAD Advisory Committee meets monthly or at a frequency as determined appropriate by the Committee. Members should expect a minimum time commitment of approximately two to three hours per month, including meeting time.

The IDPAD committee has been extended until October 2026 to coincide with the completion of this Council's term. The IDPAD Advisory Committee’s term will be reviewed as needed.   

Compensation

Committee members receive an honorarium for their meeting participation set at the rate equivalent to the Living Wage in British Columbia.
 

Advisory Committee Members 

To mark the United Nations’ first International Day for People of African Descent, the City of Victoria announced the Council-appointed members to its advisory committee,.

IDPAD Advisory Committee members represent a range of ages and lived experience and/or expertise in issues and include: 

• William Goldiet
• Barbara Hudlin
• Natalie Justin
• Dr. Christian O. Kumi
• Dominique Makay

The federal government has extended its acknowledgment of the IDPAD initiative to 2028. In January 2025, the City Council extended the IDPAD Advisory Committee until October 2026, aligning with federal policy and supporting the City’s current strategic plan’s commitments to accessibility, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

IDPAD Youth Grant 

The IDPAD Youth Grant is an annual grant program to support and empower Black youth in Victoria. A total of $25,000 of funding is available.

The grant is open to individuals of African descent, informal community groups and non-profit organizations led by people of African descent that serve people of African descent. Learn more here.

Background                                       

The City of Victoria joins the Government of Canada, several other Canadian cities, as well as cities worldwide in acknowledging and recognizing the International Decade for People of African Descent.

The United Nations proclaimed 2015 to 2024 as the International Decade for People of African Descent to recognize that people of African descent represent a distinct group whose human rights must be promoted and protected.

Whether as descendants of the victims of the transatlantic slave trade or as more recent migrants, people of African descent constitute some of the poorest and most marginalized groups. Studies and findings by international and national bodies demonstrate that people of African descent still have limited access to quality education, health services, housing and social security.

The International Decade aims to celebrate the important contributions of people of African descent worldwide, advance social justice and inclusion policies, eradicate racism and intolerance, promote human rights, and assist in creating better, more prosperous communities, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals spearheaded by the United Nations. Learn more.