Position statements

BLACK LIVES MATTER

June 23rd 2020

CTI would like to issue the following position statement in response to the events of June 2020 and in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

CTI exists to share knowledge and critical thinking to improve the quality and impact of collaborative working relationships between SLTs in High Income Countries and colleagues and service users in Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs).
Whilst we aim to be inclusive and to champion diversity, the events of the past few weeks have challenged us to look more critically at ourselves as a group, our structures, our work and its impact.
We want to take a clear stand against all forms of racism, including institutional and systemic racism, white supremacy and other forms of oppression. We support the Black Lives Matter movement and are committed to anti-racist, anti-oppressive practice.
We understand that impact is more important than intention. We recognise the need for increased awareness and understanding of the intersectionality of racism with, for example, gender, sexuality, religion, age, disability, socio-economic status, and education (this list is not exhaustive). We therefore make a commitment to further learning and ongoing change.
We commit to looking critically at the diversity of CTI’s membership, and how we can better increase diversity. We will make conscious efforts to ensure that future services are provided by, and are accessible to, all regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, age, political views, gender, disability, or sexual orientation.
We recognise the significance and importance of colonised groups leading the decolonisation of SLT training curricula and working practices, particularly in LMICs. CTI will strive to reduce discrimination and unconscious bias within the organisation, through active learning from, and sharing of, the research, practices, and voices of Black, Minority Ethnic and other under-represented groups.
CTI will strive to ensure the organisation’s membership and leadership is accessible to, and inclusive of, all those interested in its mandate, without discrimination.
We resolve to continually educate ourselves and to evaluate critically the working practices of CTI, to increase inclusivity and challenge oppression in all its forms.