Anti-Racism and Human Rights: Understanding and confronting racism, discrimination and inequality

Understand and challenge racism with Amnesty International

The UK has a long history of racism, which is visible in its institutions, systems, and the everyday behaviours of British people. Even today, racialised and minoritised ethnic communities in the UK continue to be treated as second-class citizens.

On this three-week course from Amnesty International, you’ll explore the history and legacy of racism. You’ll learn how and why racism constitutes a human rights violation, and what you can do to become an effective anti-racist.

Trace the historical roots of race and racism

You’ll start the course with a definition of race and racism, and an introduction to their historical roots.

You’ll examine the UK’s role in transatlantic slavery, considering it through the lens of anti-racism and human rights.

You’ll also cover the history of resistance to racism in the UK, from the boycotting of the Bristol Omnibus Company to the removal of the city’s statue of Edward Colston.

Explore what racism and anti-racism look like in the UK today

In Week 2 of the course, you’ll move from the past to the present of racism and anti-racism in the UK.

You’ll discuss the different forms of racism in contemporary Britain, together with current movements to combat it.

Learn what you can do to practise anti-racism in your everyday life

As you learn about the history and impact of the anti-racism movement, you’ll be encouraged to take action yourself.

In the final week of the course, you’ll discover some everyday actions you can take to support and get involved with anti-racism activism. You’ll hear inspirational stories from activist groups and individuals in the UK today.

You’ll finish the course energised, inspired, and ready to do your bit to fight racism and champion human rights.

This course is designed for anyone who wants to understand the history of racism, anti-racism, and its links to human rights in the UK.

Learners do not need any prior knowledge or technical expertise to get the most out of this course.

• Why racism is a violation of human rights
• Welcome to Amnesty International’s course on anti-racism
• How to talk about race and racism
• Historical roots of race and racism 
• The transatlantic slave trade and using an anti-racism lens
• Celebration of success
• What is anti-racism and racism?
• Welcome to Week 2
• What are the different forms of racism?
• The history of resistance
• How racism looks in the UK today
• Congratulations! You have now successfully completed Week 2
• Work to be an anti-racist
• Welcome to week 3!
• Anti-racist activism in action
• Becoming an anti-racist
• Responsibility to act
• Group activism
• Congratulations!