Prince Harry & Meghan Markle join Queen's Commonwealth Trust leaders from across the globe for a session on equality & justice

Last week Meghan and Harry attended a meeting with participants from various commonwealth countries as part of a Queen's Commonwealth Trust (QCT) session to discuss equality and justice.

It was interesting to hear the perspective of those living in other countries on the black lives matter movement. One participant from the Bahamas said that of course Bahamians needed to stand in solidarity with people in the movement in America but added that any change needed to be relevant to the people of her own country, who have their own injustices and inequalities to fight. 

The participants were asked by Meghan and Harry to state one thing that they could do at a micro level to bring about tangible change. Suggestions included: showing humility, kindness and an openness to learn and to change; intergenerational building - bringing together youth with older people who have fought against injustices in the past; and building relationships and making allies with people who have the power to bring about systemic change.

  

All of the participants agreed that systemic change was needed and acknowledged that protesting and posting # whilst important were not going to bring about the changes needed to ensure equality and justice for all. Everyone agreed that those who have suffered from failed systems need to be allowed to determine what should change.

  

There was a memorable quote from the session "protests start with a clenched fist but should end with an open hand" an acknowledgment that relationships and alliances bring about real change. A hope to build new systems that benefit everyone.

Link to the video session from the QCT website