National Council of Teachers of English

Resolution on Establishment of Policy to Prohibit NCTE Investments in Entities Which Deny Human Rights

1986 NCTE Annual Business Meeting in San Antonio, Texas

Background

Those who proposed this resolution noted that the present government of the Union of South Africa prohibits black South Africans from full participation and free exercise of human rights, and that by participating in the South African economy, private business and other governments support apartheid.

The proposers commended the NCTE Board of Directors for its decision Friday, November 21, 1986, to oppose NCTE investment in firms doing business in South Africa. Be it therefore

Resolution

Resolved, that the National Council of Teachers of English commend and support the action of the Board of Directors to oppose the repressive system of apartheid in South Africa and to hold no investments in any firm doing business in South Africa;

that the NCTE membership call upon the Board of Directors to require that the Executive Committee and headquarters staff provide evidence in the annual report of careful scrutiny and continuous monitoring of NCTE investments, making certain that NCTE funds are not indirectly invested in South Africa through third party entities or South African nationals; and

that the Board of Directors action be widely communicated to NCTE affiliates, to other professional organizations, and to the public through news releases.

This position statement may be printed, copied, and disseminated without permission from NCTE.