International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and Stephen Lawrence Day

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on 21 March and Stephen Lawrence Day on 22 April provide important moments to reflect on the continued work needed to challenge racism and advance racial equity. While each day has its own history and significance, bringing them together offers an opportunity to consider both global and local action, recognising the role we all play in creating a more inclusive and anti-racist community at Sussex.

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

Marked annually on 21  March, this United Nations  United Nations observance commemorates the Sharpeville massacre in South Africa in 1960, when peaceful protesters were killed during the struggle against apartheid. The day invites reflection on the ongoing impact of racial discrimination worldwide and the collective responsibility to challenge racism in all its forms. It also recognises the continuing importance of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, highlighting the need for sustained action, education and dialogue to advance equality. At Sussex, the day provides an opportunity to pause and reflect on how our teaching, research, professional practice and community engagement contribute to creating a more inclusive and anti-racist environment.

Stephen Lawrence Day
Stephen Lawrence Day  on 22 April honours the life and legacy of Stephen Lawrence, whose murder in a racist attack in 1993 led to significant changes in law, policing and public understanding of institutional racism in the UK. The Macpherson Report that followed is widely recognised as a defining moment in modern British history, shaping conversations about accountability, justice and systemic inequality. The day offers a moment to reflect on how learning from the past continues to influence the work we do today, and how individual and collective action can help create safer, more equitable spaces within higher education and beyond.

Related Events

Aliving the Archive: A decolonial, participatory & community approach to archiving. Tuesday 10 March 12:00 until 14:00. University of Sussex Campus : 220 IDS University of Sussex Campus: https://www.sussex.ac.uk/black-at-sussex/news-and-events/events?id=70260

Inclusive Pathways: Exploring Opportunities in Business for Black Entrepreneurs. Wednesday 11 March 16:00 until 20:30 University of Sussex Campus : Ground Floor, Jubilee Building: https://www.sussex.ac.uk/business-school/news-and-events/events?id=70110

Files Across the Isles Screening. Wed 18 Mar 2026 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM University of Sussex Campus - room to be confirmed: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/universityofsussex2/2101353

Leading Organisational Change Through an Equity Lens by Irene Adeyinka (this event is on the sussex website but the link won’t show because we only have 3 spaces on the BAS page - something I am constantly asking the web team to fix). Fri 20 Mar 2026 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM GMT: Onlinehttps://www.tickettailor.com/events/universityofsussex2/2092626

The Black Creatives Lab launches exclusive to University of Sussex students. Wednesday 22nd April 2026 from 12:00pm - 5:00pm: https://www.sussex.ac.uk/black-at-sussex/news-and-events/news?id=69748

Race equality work at Sussex

Across the University, race equality work takes place throughout the year through our Race Equality Charter action plan and our wider Inclusive Sussex commitments.  

Our anti racism e-learning course, developed by Advance HE, explores microaggressions, privilege and systemic racism, supporting staff to deepen understanding, challenge bias and contribute to a more inclusive Sussex. Staff can complete the Introduction to Race Equity (Unit 1 and Unit 2) training on LearnUpon.

The Ethnic Minority Staff Network is open to staff who identify as belonging to a minority ethnic group and meets termly to provide peer support and community. If you would like to be part of the network, please email EMSN-staff@sussex.ac.uk to sign up.

Guidance, support and reporting options are available through Report + Support  colleagues can also refer to the University’s Dignity, Respect and Inclusion policy.

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