ENAR celebrates 25 years of the antiracism movement and announces new board leadership and members

New board members will strengthen the European Network Against Racism’s 25-year-old mission toward a more inclusive Europe.

Brussels, Belgium – 17 June 2023: The European Network Against Racism (ENAR) announced three new board members and a change in board leadership today during the organisation’s annual General Assembly. Commemorating a quarter of a century at the forefront of the battle against racism, the new board members vowed to enhance the Network’s mission for racism to become a relic of the past throughout Europe.

Since the organisation’s official take-off in 1998, ENAR has been standing strong as the only pan-European voice of anti-racism. The anniversary comes at a pivotal moment when the challenges of the rising exclusionary rhetoric and shrinking civic space underline the need for a united front against the backsliding of human rights.

‘We cannot have separate fights,” said Member of the Swedish Parliament Momodou Malcolm Jallow, formerly a board member of ENAR. ‘Considering the rise of the far-right movement occupying our political institutions, we need to streamline our narrative. We are fighting the same fight, with one and the same message. That is the only way to make a difference that we want to see.’ 

The new board leadership and members began their three-year terms with ENAR effective June 17, 2023 and can serve a maximum of two terms. The board members taking on a leadership role are:

• Chair: Nyanchama Okemwa – Hand in Hand Against Racism, BE
• 1st vice chair – Zlakha Ahmed Apna Haq, UK
• 2nd vice chair – Anne Nolan, Waterford Integration Services, IE

Other incoming board members are: Faith Mkwesha (Sahwira Africa International, FI), Moussa Sangare (Ivorian Community in Greece, EL), and Shahab Saqib (UNITED for Intercultural Action, HU).