Central and Eastern Europe face constant transformation after the collapse of the ‘Iron Curtain’ in 1989/90.

The steady shift of economy, society, policy, and social cohesion in the context of globalisation and the try to match with ‘Western’ standards more and more divides society and marginalises minority groups. With the common fear of an international economic crisis minority groups, such as Roma, are more likely to become scapegoats of the majority and are threatened by open violence and discrimination (also by state authorities).

When people start to perceive their daily lives as a competition there is no understanding or space given to diversity and intercultural dialogue anymore. The public discourse gradually becomes absorbed by the argumentation of xenophobic and extremist groups who consider equal rights for everybody as danger for the nation and its natives.

The international UNITED conference 'Europe All Inclusive? Minorities on the Edge of Society' intends to develop counter strategies and practical responses to situations of discrimination and intolerance, providing an exchange platform of knowledge and good practice to develop the practical working methods of local NGOs and strategies for the inclusion of minority groups... we have to realise that only by acting UNITED and sharing our knowledge we can work towards an 'All Inclusive Europe'.

Political Climate in Hungary 
The EU elections brought a breakthrough for 'Jobbik', the national right wing party in Hungary. They ran a virulently racist campaign against the so-called 'gypsy criminality' and send three representatives to the EU parliament. As a first outcome of their establishment on a European level, they formed, in October 2009, an alliance with the far-right political parties in the EU Parliament, the so-called Alliance of European National Movements. It is feared that 'Jobbik' will gain ground also at the national elections in 2010, so Hungary will face them within its government.

Roma: a minority at the edge of society
In Hungary 6% of the population has Roma origins, most of them are living in a very insecure situation and are threatened by open violence and discrimination. Without proper education, health care, job opportunities the Roma community survives of government aid or illegal jobs, it is not a surprise that crime level is high among them.
Attacks against Roma population are increasing in the last two years. While the former serial killer group is behind the bars (nine attacks, six victims), in November 2009 a village was besieged by the militant right-wing group 'Hungarian Guard' (formed against the so-called 'gypsy criminality').

Migrant population in Hungary
Hungary is a very homogenic country, with only 3% citizens with a migrant background, and most of them are Hungarians by origin, who lived as minority in neighbouring countries. A last years' survey shows 25-32 percent of Hungarians would hermetically seal the country's borders to all foreigners and only 10 percent would accept everyone with open arms.

Europe all inclusive 
There are great challenges in front of all of us. The role of the antidiscrimination movement, and its independent actions is very important, and maybe it is the last chance to stop these very negative tendencies. This conference will look at specific issues, such as how to tackle Romaphobia, minority rights, methods and good practices of counteract right-wing extremism, the experience of migrants in Europe. Furthermore we will make use of a variety of working methods: thematic working groups, plenary sessions and workshops.
The six thematic working groups will continue throughout the whole event. Your contribution will be valuable....

* In-Side-Out: Migrants and Society in Europe
This working group will analyse how migrants can regain control over their lives, their identity as an emigrant-immigrant and their role in the society.

* Message in a Bottle: Campaign Against Racism
Developing antiracism campaign as a key to build up new actions.

* Minorities on the Move: Stand Up for Your Rights
The role of prejudices and stereotypes about minority groups in social segregation and discriminative political discourse.

* The Future of the Past: History as Cause of Conflict
This working group will try to see why, what and how we remember, and what implications it has for historical-political education. Learning the lessons from the past and taking responsibility for the future we want.

* Roma in Europe: Working Tools to Reverse Exclusion
The Roma community suffers massive discrimination everywhere in Europe, this working group aims to find common strategies for an inclusive Europe.

* Right Wing Extremism: Spot It - Stop It!
How to deal with the increasing influence of the political right-wing extremism in Europe.

UNITED is the largest pan-European anti-racist network of more than 560 organisations. With its conferences antiracist and human rights activists from all parts of Europe meet and discuss effective ways of combating racism and discrimination. At a recent UNITED conference held in October 2009 in Kiev (UA) more than 78 delegates representing organisations from 31 European countries analysed the current political situation in the Ukraine, how to empower minority organisations, emerging issues in the anti-discrimination work (such as relationship between security and migration, islamophobia, misuse of anti-extremist legislation) and how to develop new strategies to improve cooperation and promote tolerance


Conference Prepared By:
* Foundation of Subjective Values (H)
* Kurt Lewin Foundation (H)
* Centre for Intercultural Dialogue (MK)
* L'Arca (I)
* Never Again Association (PL)
* The Union '21st Century' (GE)
* UNITED for Intercultural Action


With the financial support of:
* European Youth Foundation of the Council of Europe
* European Commission - Delegation Moscow
* Local Municipality of Budapest - Fovarosi Onkormanyzat
* The Matra Program of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs
* Youth Board of Cyprus

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Technical Info

Working methods
... plenary sessions, working groups, lectures, workshops, political cafés, presentations, debates, intercultural 'games', information market, cultural activities, excursions, open forum.

Participants
The conference is planned for 70-75 participants (living in Europe) who represent (inter)national anti-racist, anti-fascist, refugee, human rights and minority rights organisations. Active grass-roots groups from all over Europe are also invited. Participation is rotated from one conference to another. Priority will be given to nominations from young delegates (under 30 years old) with a minority background. Preference is given to those organisations that actively take part in UNITED campaigns. Participants should act as multipliers, spreading the information to as many people as possible. We will try to reach an equal balance of female/male participants and a good geographical distribution.
Each organisation can nominate only ONE delegate.

Language
The conference language is English. All participants are expected to have at least basic knowledge of English. But don't worry; English is almost nobody's mother tongue. If you have difficulties in expressing yourself, surely we can help each other.

Financial conditions
Participation fee - travel costs
The participation fee of the conference depends on the country where the nominated organisation is based:

120 Euro for participants from group 1:
A, B, CH, CY, D, DK, E, F, FL, FIN, GB, GR, I, IS, IRL, L, M, N, NL, P, S

70 Euro for participants from group 2:
BG, BH, CZ, EE, HR, LV, LT, MK, MNE, PL, RO, RS, SI, SK, TR, XZ

40 Euro for participants from group 3:
AL, ARM, AZ, BY, GE, H, KZ, KY, MD, RUS, UA, UZB

Full board & lodging and the complete program is included.

Organisations that paid their 2010 supporter fee to the UNITED Network will receive a 50% reduction of the participation fee. (how to become a supporter)

Contribution to international travel costs
Participants travelling from group 1
(A, B, CH, CY, D, DK, E, F, FIN, GB, GR, I, IS, IRL, L, M, N, NL, P, S):
UNITED can contribute maximum 75% to the costs of your travel, not more than 200 Euro.

Participants travelling from group 2
(BG, BH, CZ, EE, HR, LV, LT, MK, MNE, PL, RO, RS, SI, SK, TR, XZ):
UNITED can contribute maximum 90% to the costs of your travel, not more than 250 Euro.

Participants travelling from group 3 (except H)
(AL, ARM, AZ, BY, GE, KZ, KY, MD, RUS, UA, UZB):
UNITED can contribute maximum 90% to the costs of your travel, not more than 300 Euro.

Participants travelling from H :
UNITED can contribute maximum 90% to your travel costs (train, bus), not more than 40 Euro.

Please look for the cheapest and most environmentally friendly possibility to travel. We strongly encourage you to travel by night-train, bus or other cheaper means of transport to Budapest. In order to be eligible for a contribution to your travel costs you will be expected to attend the whole meeting and to prove your travel expenses providing an original invoice and the original tickets to UNITED.

The cost of your visa can be reimbursed by UNITED on the base of an original invoice from the Embassy.
UNITED conferences can only take place when participants make an effort to contribute financially to their travel costs. We ask you to find out if there are alternative possibilities of funding your participation. Sometimes it is possible to find small local grants (e.g. a travel grant from a foundation, a university, an embassy or another sponsor). We would very much appreciate your help.
Since we have limited sponsored places, delegates that can cover (part of) their own travel costs have a higher chance to be selected.


Date and place
The conference will take place near Budapest and will start on Tuesday afternoon 11 May 2010. Departure is foreseen for Sunday 16 May 2010. If you wish to arrive earlier or stay longer (on your own costs), we can help you to arrange your stay.


Further information
Please, note that sending the expression of interest form does not guarantee your participation in the conference.

Only those candidates selected for participation will receive further information e.g. visa invitation, explanation 'how to get there', a final program, list of participants, etc.

All candidates will be will be informed about the result of their selection via e-mail around beginning of April.

Application procedure:
Organisations interested in nominating a delegate should send their nomination by email before the deadline:
19 March 2010 - 24:00 to budapest@unitedagainstracism.org to download the registration form please click here.