Círcle of Afrodescendant Youth
of the Americas
The CAYA was born as a result of the International Colloquium regarding "Challenges and Perspectives of the Afrodescendant Youth in the Americas", which took place in Brazil in April 2009, and was organized by the Brazilian organization UJIMA Collective Work and Responsibility. The need for a space for the political articulation of some 25 black youth organizations, from 12 countries of the American region, was identified; thus providing for a platform for the construction of joint strategies for the promotion of afrodescendant rights, particularly that of the youth, advocating for the strengthening of its capacities, political positioning and to foster the exchange of ideas, experiences and practices towards the development of this population.
CAYA's mission is the construction of an empowerment platform for young afrodescendant leaders, at the local, national and international levels; enabling participation in decision making and power-holding spaces at all levels, in order to combat racism, racial discrimination and overcoming historical inequalities that reflect current disparities in our societies.
CAYA's main objective is to generate a continued process of development and empowerment of afrodescendant communities and peoples throughout the Americas, having as a principle the strengthening of local and national processes, which also fosters regional and international articulations.
This development process implies the construction of a collective agenda based on different perspectives, such as a political and social perspective based on community and national processes; an international perspective relating international organisms, forums and mechanisms; and a cultural perspective based on the reaffirmation of the afrodescendant identity, in an ample sense, as well as a youth in the Americas.
PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS:
Africa and its Diaspora - ARGENTINA
Political Articulation of Black Youths - BRAZIL
Black Entities Collective - BRAZIL
Marias Feminist Collective - BRAZIL
Itá Iyalodê Collective - BRAZIL
Educafro - BRAZIL
National Forum of Black Youth - BRAZIL
Kilombagem Group - BRAZIL
MNU - BRAZIL
Negras Ativas - BRAZIL
Parana Black Women Network - BRAZIL
UJIMA Collective Work and Responsibility - BRAZIL
Sankofa in Cypher - CANADA
National Institute for Racial Equality - COLOMBIA
Caribbean Project Association - COSTA RICA
Latin American and Caribbean Community Centre - UNITED STATES
Guatemalan Black Organization - GUATEMALA
Ethnic and Community Development Organization - HONDURAS
Afropanameña Soy - PANAMÁ
Panamanian Women Network - PANAMA
MAKUNGU for Development - PERU
Afro Dominican Alliance - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Socialist Youths - URUGUAY
UBUNTU - URUGUAY
