Amid broader efforts to reimagine racial justice during the European Anti-Racism and Diversity Week, the Brussels Office of the Bahá’í International Community (BIC) hosted a roundtable discussion that brought together voices from civil society, youth networks, and academia. 

Titled "Reimagining Racial Justice: The Need for Transformative Policies," the conversation explored how deeply rooted patterns of racism and prejudice can be addressed through transformative policies that promote a shared sense of identity. Participants were invited to reflect on how, in addition to the important work of acknowledging equal rights or providing equal access, policies must foster a genuine conviction that we all belong to one interconnected human family.

“Without a wholehearted embrace of the principle that humanity is indivisible, the persistence of arbitrary and imaginary divisions—‘us’ versus ‘them’—will only continue to deepen the fragmentation of society,” said Sophia Massrouri, Policy Officer at the Bahá’í International Community Brussels Office. “For meaningful and lasting change to take root, we must all come to see that there is no ‘them’—only ‘us.’”

Throughout the discussion, participants emphasized that a deeper understanding of our shared humanity is needed at every level of society—not only in individual mindsets, but also within communities and institutions. 

Highlighting that the structures and hierarchies present in societies are often rooted in exclusive and divisive assumptions, Julie Pascoët, Policy and Advocacy Manager at the European Network Against Racism (ENAR), said, “We have to question not just racism, but the systems that enable it to thrive.” Ms. Pascoët also noted that there is a growing recognition among practitioners of the need for policies grounded in principles of community and care. 

The discussion also featured reflections on and examples of instances where policies may have unintentionally reinforced division rather than promote unity.

Matt Johnson, CEO of Race on the Agenda, emphasized that lasting transformation will remain out of reach unless we fundamentally shift the narratives we tell about racial identity and justice. He underscored the importance of stories that move beyond acknowledging diversity, to recognizing it as a powerful source of strength and progress.

In addition to the important work of institutional policies, the roundtable highlighted that transformative narratives cannot be shaped solely through institutional policies—they must also emerge organically from within society itself. Such narratives, when cultivated and embraced at the grassroots level, can then lay the groundwork for policy changes that are increasingly aligned and coherent. 

“I think the key to achieving true social and racial justice may lie in changing narratives from the bottom up,” said Berber Biala-Hettinga, Senior Advocate for Legal Affairs and Human Rights in the EU at Amnesty International. Such work, she noted, is a collective process—one that demands the active engagement of all members of society

While policies can serve as a common framework, their resilience depends on sustained commitment from a broad spectrum of societal actors. In this light, one participant reflected on the importance of nurturing a sense of collective agency throughout society: “The implementation of anti-racism strategies requires a shared sense of responsibility—communities, institutions, and individuals of all backgrounds must feel a sense of ownership in this process.

For more on this theme, please see the latest statement by the Brussels Office of the BIC titled “Towards A European Union Anti-Racism Strategy: Reflections by the Bahá’í International Community Brussels Office”.