The staff of the European Leadership Network (ELN) stand in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, and with all of those who have been devastatingly impacted by police brutality and all other manifestations of anti-blackness and racism. Racism, violence and structural inequality are not only American phenomena: they are the reality in countries across Europe too. Black lives matter everywhere.
This is a moment that demands introspection and structural change. As an organisation, we work to create better European – and by extension – global security. Values underpin security, and intersectionality matters.
As individuals, as organisations, and as a community, we have a responsibility to do and be better. We must recognise that the lack of black and minority ethnic voices in our field damages our scholarship, our discourse, and ultimately, our security.
We do not pretend to have all of the answers and this is only the start of the process. Through honest conversations, we can begin to identify how we can implement changes to improve access for, and promotion of, the brightest minds regardless of race, gender, or socio-economic background.
Signed,
The staff of the European Leadership Network