CAMPAIGN REPORT

Speak Out! Against Racism European-wide Action Week Against Racism 18-26 March 2006

Hundreds of NGO's UNITED against racism on all grounds

Activities in 41 European countries!
The 'European-wide Action Week Against Racism' is one of the broadest annual antiracist campaigns, reaching people all over Europe. "Speak Out! Against Racism" was the slogan of the 'European-wide Action Week Against Racism' 2006 and once again thousands of people stood together, were UNITED and contributed to the campaign by arranging a broad variety of interesting events. Thousands of activists promoted clearly that the antiracist movement is alive, that European youth has a common vision of the society they want to live in. And that anti-discrimination actions have to become part of mainstream contemporary culture.
NGOs from 41 European countries ­ from Helsinki to Rome, from Dublin to Baku -highlighted one common problem: racism.

Common Problems ­ Common Solution
The overall picture regarding contemporary forms of racism is complex and worrying. Racism itself has come to mean much more than discrimination on the ground of race and it has become a constant factor all over Europe: the tense world climate strengthened many stereotypes, whole minority communities are abused as scapegoats, extreme right-wing groups and parties are spreading their exclusionist ideology, visible minorities are confronted with disrespect. We can witness almost everywhere in Europe a raise in racial attacks. Police records and NGO researches show how these attacks are more and more often closely connected the extreme right and to widely used hate speech, also within mainstream politics, which puts the security of vulnerable societal sectors at risk.

In a message on the 'International Day for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination' on March 21, the United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan stated: "From name-calling in schools to hiring and firing decisions in the workplace, from selective media or police coverage of crimes to unequal provision of Government services, the mistreatment of racial or ethnic groups not only abounds in our societies, but often passes unchallenged". He called on everyone, from parents to schools to governments, to fight everyday discrimination and stated: "Intolerance is taught and can be untaught".

In 2006, thousands of people took the UNITED campaign as a chance to actively engage themselves once again for tolerance and equal rights, to celebrate the diversity of Europe and to invite the entire society to act against racism.

A wide variety of activities during the 2006 campaign
The 'European-wide Action Week Against Racism' 2006 took place from March 18 to March 26 and centred around March 21. This day was declared 'International Day for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination' as a reaction to the murder of 69 anti-apartheid demonstrators in Sharpeville, South Africa, in 1960.
In 2006, UNITED campaign material, such as posters, stickers and postcards, was distributed all over Europe to promote this year's campaign, to give further background information or to be used for exhibitions.
Coordinated by the international secretariat of UNITED, the participating organisations arranged events like educational workshops in schools, demonstrations, movie-screenings, antiracist games or media campaigns. The UNITED secretariat in Amsterdam coordinated the campaign by motivating NGOs to join the campaign and by providing information and material.
Starting in the North, in Finland, an enthusiastic, mainly young audience could enjoy a large-scale anti-racist music action in Helsinki. Moving to the East, several Romanian NGOs especially emphasised the importance of raising awareness among youngsters.
Further in central Europe, more than 400 activities were organised in the framework of a large nationwide campaign in Germany.
These are just three examples of the broad variety of activities during the UNITED campaign.

Moreover, the "I CARE News Team" organised the live reporting of selected activities, which took place in the framework of the UNITED campaign 2006. You can listen to the online reports in English, French and Spanish on www.icare.to.
Many other events from all over Europe are described in this report, which includes visual testimonies. Maybe, this can help you to get an impression of the great effort of the participating organisations and how many different and effective possibilities to speak out against racism exist.

UNITED against racism
Linked through UNITED for Intercultural Action, the pan-European network against nationalism, racism, fascism and in support of migrants and refugees, more than 560 organisations from 46 European countries work together, learn and benefit from each other's experience. The organisations base their common actions and joint activities on mutual respect, solidarity and intercultural understanding. They meet each other at European conferences, exchange information and good practices leading to coordinated campaigns with a strong local, national and European impact.
While activities of the Action Week Against Racism were performed independently by the network organisations, the European secretariat of UNITED coordinated the whole campaign, provided NGOs with common campaign materials and ensured a good information flow among organisations, the media and decision-makers. UNITED is an open network inviting everybody who is willing to join the European struggle against racism. It is independent from all political parties.
If you want to get involved, discuss the ideas and aims of UNITED within your organisation. Let us know that your organisation would like to join the network or to receive information about it. And please add us to your mailing list to keep the information flowing!

INTERNATIONAL: Live reporting in three different languages
Racism is not a local issue, nor it is confined within the past. It is indeed an urgent issue felt evenly throughout Europe and affecting the lives of those who live and work for a better future. It mostly invests the lives of youth, throwing a shadow of negativity upon their future and their vision of the place they want to live in. The fight against racism and all forms of discrimination is an international demand, felt by anyone on a local, national and cross-border level, and brought about by thousands of young activists all over the continent. The 'European-wide Action Week Against Racism' links together local and national actions throughout the countries of Europe, it sets the agenda on all levels and shows that there is an enormous amount of young people with a clear antiracist vision: Europe as an intercultural open society.
Several weeks before the campaign, the UNITED secretariat distributed ten thousands of posters, stickers and postcards to organisations all over Europe, which displayed them in schools, in public squares, in shops, in companies... UNITED has been stimulating the activities by informing the media and other NGOs about what was happening in which country ­ a regularly updated 'List of Activities' was available on the UNITED website.
On a European and global scale, "Online - More Colour in the Media" organised the third edition of the "European Week of Media and Minorities 2006" with the 'International Day for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination' on March 21 as the central date of the week. The campaign brought together producers and audience to promote more diversity in the media, to promote public dialogue about the representation of minority groups and to empower minority audiences. Organisations in Spain, Denmark, Germany, Great Britain, Serbia and Montenegro, Austria, Italy, Slovenia, Hungary, Norway, Finland, Netherlands, Greece and other European countries arranged presentations of media monitoring reports, public debates, seminars, discussions, workshops, broadcasting on TV and radio or articles on local and national newspapers.
Again in 2006, the "I CARE News Team" organised the live reporting of the UNITED campaign in English, French and Spanish. The reported NGOs had the possibility to present their activities on an international level and to give information about racist developments in their country. The interviews show very well the diversity and the wide variety of actions during the campaign. They are published online on www.icare.to


ALBANIA: Three days 'Human Rights Film Festival'
In Albania, a "National Strategy for the Improvement of Living Conditions of the Roma" has been developed aiming at eliminating discrimination against Roma in different fields of life. However, "ECRI is deeply concerned over the deplorable living conditions, extreme poverty and social and economic marginalisation of many Roma and Egyptians in Albania. A large number of Roma and Egyptians live in ramshackle shacks in neighbourhoods lacking basic utilities, with particularly high rates of unemployment and difficulties in accessing social services, such as health care."(ECRI Report 2005)
On the occasion of the 'European-wide Action Week Against Racism' the "Albanian Helsinki Committee" wanted to raise awareness among youngsters to prevent cases of open and hidden discrimination in the society, especially to improve the situation of Roma minority in Albania. For that reason the organisation arranged, from March 21 to March 26, a media campaign and a seminar in two schools in Tirana, addressing discrimination issues and minority rights. Also, these two schools hosted a competition for the best creation in prose, poetry and painting with the motto "All Different, All Equal", and a cultural program. A group of students joined the initiative and lobbied at a national, international and local level on the situation of Roma minority by visiting areas inhabited by Roma citizens and listening to their complaints and concerns. After that, they reflected their impressions and their thoughts in essays. The "Albanian Helsinki Committee" published these works in March 2006. Moreover, the NGO arranged in cooperation with the "Marubi Film & Multimedia School", "UNICEF" and others a three days "Human Rights Film Festival" in Tirana. A number of interesting and moving films were screened during these days. They dealt with different human rights themes like child labour, human rights of disabled people and the death penalty.

ARMENIA: Awareness-raising campaign among youngsters
Three NGOs from Armenia joined the 'European-wide Action Week Against Racism' 2006 by organising interesting events.
The "Helsinki Citizen's Assembly - Vanadzor Office" arranged several workshops in various public schools of Vanadzor. Representatives of the organisation led discussions on the issue of discrimination and how to prevent it. Furthermore, they distributed UNITED campaign material among the pupils.
The "Helsinki Citizen's Assembly - Vanadzor Office" also coordinated the exhibition "We Are Against Racism" showing 24 caricatures made by 20 students. It was opened on March 19 with the presentation and explanation of every picture.
While the "Armenian Center for Youth and Students International" arranged a youth meeting to combat racism and discrimination, the "Federation of Youth Clubs of Armenia" spoke out for tolerance and equal rights by organising a public campaign with several activities. Amongst others: UNITED campaign material was distri-buted at a university campus and a meeting with students was organised, where they defined the terms 'racism' and 'xenophobia' and where they discussed racism in social life of Armenia.


AUSTRIA: Racism report
On the occasion of the 'European-wide Action Week Against Racism' 2006, "ZARA - Zivilcourage und Anti-Rassismus Arbeit" presented, already for the sixth time in a row, the annual racism report on Austria 2005: an important source of information for national and international organisations. On March 24, a press conference was arranged in Vienna, which was reported by all web-editions of the important dailies, the Austrian Broadcasting Association and several NGOs.
In 2005, more than 1100 racist assaults were reported to the "ZARA" counselling unit of victims and witnesses of racism. According to "ZARA" the steady increase of reported incidents clarifies that the pattern of awareness has changed ­ the number of people taking action against racism is on the raise. Unfortunately, on the other hand the report shows that racism has become a less of a taboo and more aggressive.
To speak out against all forms of racism and to highlight important themes like the asylum law and education, the organisation "Aktion Kritischer SchülerInnen" organised an awareness-raising campaign with several activities on March 21 in all major cities of Austria.

BELGIUM: Dangerous increase
The deadly racist attack in Antwerp on May 11, 2006 shocked the whole country: a woman of African origin and a child were shot to death and another woman of Turkish origin was seriously injured by an 18 years old teenager. The suspect of this incident is believed to be affiliated to the far-right in Belgium, as local authorities reported.
"These horrible and cowardly crimes are a form of extreme racism. Nobody can ignore what the far right can lead to", stated Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt. The killings in May turned the focus on Antwerp, where the Belgian extremist party Vlaams Belang is seeking to gain power in the municipal election October 2006. The result could have an important impact on the future of Belgium...
The incident in Antwerp is not an isolated fact in the region; Belgium has witnessed a dangerous increase in intolerance, discrimination and racist violent in the recent years.
The organisation "Le Monde des Possibles - The World of Possibles" took the European-wide Action Week Against Racism 2006 as a reason to promote intercultural activities and the better understanding of the situation in the home countries of immigrants. They arranged a meeting of teenagers and immigrants including presentations and animations in Liège.
From March 19 to March 26, the "Ecumenical Youth Council of Europe" and the "Forum of European Muslim Youth and Student Organisations" organised the study session "Overcoming Islamophobia - Promoting Inter-Religious Dialogue and Co-operation" in the European Youth Centre in Strasbourg. It was arranged as an event to gather together young people from both Muslim and Christian background to provide the youngsters with practical skills and information about how to overcome Islamophobia.
The "Mouvement Contre Racisme Antisémitisme et Xénophobie" arranged the first Belgian edition of the "7th Annual Action Week Against Racism", which took place also in Canada and Switzerland from March 17 to March 26. The programme was coordinated with the help of several partners and included more than 50 events like expositions, spectacles and a film festival.


BULGARIA: Situation of Roma people remains obscure
In May 2006 the European Commission adopted its monitoring report on Bulgaria's preparatory steps for EU accession considering that an accession can be possible in 2007, if the preparation efforts of the country are intensified.
Also Amnesty International stated in October 2005: "Amnesty International notes significant positive developments in Bulgaria's framework of human rights protection, namely, in addressing discrimination and mental health reform. There are, however, continued concerns about the implementation of policies and continued violations of human rights of Roma, individuals in police custody and persons with mental disabilities." The situation and the segregation of Roma people in Bulgaria remain obscure. Problems are the gap between initiatives for and in the name of the Roms, more precisely their self-representation, their criminalisation in media and public opinion, their poor living conditions and their total lack of support and legal assistance by the state.
During the 'European-wide Action Week Against Racism', the UNITED conference "Get Active, be UNITED: Youth Sharing Visions for Equality" was hosted in Bulgaria's capital Sofia.
The 84 delegates from 47 European countries shared practices and promoted an open dialogue on islampohobia, antisemitism, racism, gypsyphobia, migration and integration.
Moreover, many NGOs in Bulgaria participated once again in the UNITED campaign against racism. To promote tolerance, human rights and inclusion, the "Human Energetics Institute - Varna" arranged the after-class activity "Joined Per-
ception". On March 20, youngsters had the chance to build sculptures, to take pictures or to join a theatre group.
The organisation "Youth Center Sevlievo" wanted to identify the reasons for discrimination and to create an antidiscriminatory way of thinking. To achieve these aims, campaign material was distributed to youngsters between 16 and 19 years living in Sevlievo. Anti-
discrimination messages were prepared and a round table was organised, where representatives of three different ethnic groups - Bulgarian, Roma and Turks - participated.
Last but not least, the "Youth Center Sevlievo" prepared an open letter to all institutions in Sevlievo reporting the results of their activity and concrete ideas and examples on how to prevent racism and discrimination.
Moreover, the "Interethnic Initiative for Human Rights Foundation", raised awareness among young people by organising different street actions, round tables in schools, discussions and the distribution of posters in several schools from March 18 to March 26.
"Strategies Magazine - Publishing House", "The National Council for Combating Discrimination", "AEGEE Europe - Human Rights Working Group" and "Help the Needy Foundation" arranged awareness-raising campaigns in several different cities of Bulgaria to highlight the 'Action Week Against Racism' 2006. They distributed articles and leaflets, showed antidiscrimination movies or arranged info tables to speak out against racism and discrimination.
Around one month later, but also in the frame of the 'International Day for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination', "People to People International - American University in Bulgaria Club" presented its long-term campaign "Speak Out Against Racism" at the American University in Bulgaria. On April 13, 40 students and one professor got several information about these campaign, saw a movie on racism and heard a presentation about the definition of racism, its history, types of racism and how it can be defeated. The long-term campaign continued for seven weeks in Blagoevgrad and included, among others, lectures, workshops, football games and movies.


FINLAND: 'We encourage people to react to discrimination'
Finland has a total population of ca. 5 000 000 inhabitants. The number of immigrants including asylum seekers who have been granted the status of legal refugee is less than 0,2% of the population; one of the lowest rates in Europe.
According to a report on the situation of racism and ethnic discrimination in Finland, which was published by the "Finnish League for Human Rights" in 2005, the attitude of Finish people towards immigrants seems to be more positive than before. However, the shadow of discrimination looms over this increasing openness. Attitudes towards the Swedes or the Ingrian returning migrants are generally positive, whereas those towards the Russians or the Somalis are mainly negative. It should be also highlighted, that 1 out of 4 Finnish youngsters consider themselves racist, or at least in some ways give their support to activities directed against immigrants.
To speak out against these tendencies and to highlight the issue of racism, the 'International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination' and the 'Action Week Against Racism' have been commemorated since many years in Finland. Also in 2006 several NGOs joined the UNITED campaigns.
"Racism is present in everyday life, job interviews, getting into restaurants and nightclubs, on the streets. We encourage people to react to discrimination (...)", stated a coordinator of the "RASMUS Network". On March 21, the organisation arranged a large-scale anti-racist music action in Helsinki. An enthusiastic, mainly young audience could enjoy an award-giving event to the winners of an anti-racist video competition and a concert with well-known hip-hop and pop artists. Moreover, two days later the "RASMUS Network" held a panel discussion specially focused on ethnic discrimination of foreign students in Finland and on how to prevent it. Participants discussed what the discrimination, that the students still face - at university and in finding employment - entails for the Finnish economy, for universities and, most importantly, for the individual students themselves.
Volunteers of "Red Cross Finland" made a contribution to the 'Action Week Against Racism' and organised several activities in a shopping center in Järvenpää, to raise awareness among the public. They arranged an exhibition of children's drawings, which were made at schools, and the distribution of campaign material. For example, campaign-postcards saying that half of the people living in Finland have experienced racism and discrimination in some occasions were handed out to passing people.
Moreover, the participants of the European seminar and discussion forum "Islamophobia in Europe" were engaged in issues like 'Why did European Muslims youngsters riot in France and blow up bombs in London?', 'Why are the models of multicultural society in Holland and Denmark in trouble?' and 'Can all these happen in Finland and what should be the role of politics and the society at large?'. After several lectures on different topics like prevention of radicalism, freedom of expression or why the Islam is seen as a threat, participants had the opportunity to exchange views on the seminar's topic. The event was organised by "Caisa - International Cultural Centre" on March 21.
In Kouvola, the event "Against Racism!" was organised by the "Palmenia Centre for Continuing Education Kouvola" and others, and it included a seminar, a movie screening and a concert. Besides that, the "Multicultural Youth Work - The Youth Center Walda" highlighted the UNITED campaign by organising a disco with music from different countries and an antiracist competition in Oulu.


GEORGIA: 'Peace, Love and Care'
In the framework of the 'European-wide Action Week Against Racism', a wide variety of actions under the motto "Peace, Love and Care" took place all around Georgia. The campaign "Caucasus Without Violence" aimed at raising awareness among youngsters towards everyday violence, racism and xenophobia, to create a common voice against it and to empower youngsters to prevent all forms of discrimination and violence.
The "International Union ERTOBA" organised with the help of local partner outdoor exhibitions, workshops, debates, games, concerts, the distribution of different campaign material and several other activities.
To promote cultural diversity and equality, the "International Youth Network 'Youth Knot'" arranged between 22-25 March performances under the title "The Colours Compose Harmony" in three different cities and countries: Kiev (UA), Tbilisi (GE) and Prague (CZ).


GERMANY: More than 400 activities in the framework of the 'All Different - All Equal' campaign
Racism has always played a central role in Germany within both civil society and the political arena. The recently occurred racists attacks have, though, have furthermore put the issue of racism into the spotlight.
One example of a growing atmosphere of intolerance towards foreigners and of increasing extremist violence was the brutal assault of a young German man of Ethiopian background in April 2006 in Potsdam. He was beaten into coma. The racist attack resulted in nationwide demonstrations, calling for politicians to take urgent action, spurring headlines and political debates.
According to a new report, which was published in May by Germany's "Office for the Protection of the Constitution" monitoring all form of extremism, the number of racially motivated acts of far-right violence rose by 23 percent to 958 in 2005, while the number of far-right extremists deemed willing to engage in violence rose by 400 to
10, 400. The total number of politically motivated right-wing crimes, though, rose 27 percent to 15, 361, most of which related to far-right propaganda such as displaying the Nazi swastika, which is against the law in Germany.
Germany's Interior Minister Wolfgang Schäuble is worried about the steep rise in far-right crime and stated clearly: "We will not tolerate any form of extremism, xenophobia or antisemitism".
According to the "Interkultureller Rat", 65 percent of Germans think that there are 'too many foreigners living in Germany' and that xenophobia and racism are sadly given space within the society. To mobilise as many people as possible against those tendencies and to raise awareness especially among youngsters, the "Interkultureller Rat" and "Gesicht zeigen! - Aktion weltoffenes Deutschland e.v." coordinated already for the 6th time, the "International Week Against Racism". From March 18 to March 26, more than 400 activities under the motto "All different - All equal" were arranged in schools, youth centres, museums, sport clubs, trade unions, theatres and cinemas. More than 200 articles and notes promoting and reporting this year's campaign were published in different newspaper throughout Germany. Events like concerts, workshops, movie projections, conferences, information stands, sport activities, lectures, intercultural lessons, awareness raising events in schools, demonstrations and exhibitions were organised. Participants dealt with themes like integration, Islam and extreme right-wing. It should be also emphasised that numerous public figures like politicians, writers and artists contributed to the events. 32 members of the German 'Bundestag' participated in events in their local districts.
Jürgen Micksch, president of the "Interkultureller Rat", stated: "Never before we had so many events in the framework of the 'International Week Against Racism'".
Of course, not all activities can be mentioned here, but a few can be highlighted. Stadium announcements against racism and xenophobia were made before the football game of the national football team of Germany against the national team of the United States of America, which took place on March 22 at the Westfalenstadion in Dortmund.
In Berlin, the television cook Ralf Zacherl taught school children how to cook with ingredients from different cultures from around the world. In Frankfurt, the event "Racism Hurts Everyone - For an Open-minded and Tolerant Germany" included speeches and discussions, where first of all personal experiences were shared.
Also the "Evangelische Versöhnungskirche - KZ-Gedenkstätte Dachau" joined the UNITED campaign "Speak Out! Against Racism" with guided tours, lectures and a special exhibition of European antiracism posters from the UNITED poster collection. Several different UNITED posters for the 'European-wide Action Week Against Racism", posters from NGOs from all over Europe and the UNITED reports from previous campaigns were displayed. Stickers and postcards were distributed.
The "Antirassistische Initiative Rostock" organised the "3th Antiracist Film Week" showing movies about, among others, the life of refugees, European refugee policy, colonialism and apartheid.
"A Week Against Racism and Discrimination" was organised by "Urban-Consult gGmbH". Training, conflict solving and discussions about intercultural problems and common understandings were arranged in one school in Berlin.
From March 18 to March 26, the "International Week Against Racism" with lectures, movie-screenings, exhibitions, presentations of projects, discussions, theatre, a festival and many other activities were organised and coordinated for the third time by "Stadt Leipzig, Referat Ausländerbeauftragter". One of the 29 events was the exhibition of portraits of refugee children living in Leipzig.
Several other activities were arranged in cities all over Germany like in Döbeln, Rathenow, Neumünster, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt and Strausberg and made this year's campaign once again a success.

GREAT-BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND: 'An act of ethnic-cleaning'
The local election results in May 2006 showed a rise in support for the British National Party (BNP), an extreme right-wing party. The party gained 33 councillors, bringing its total number to 48. This election more than doubled the number of seats held by the party.Although the modest gains of the BNP outside Barking and Dagenham, a borough in East London where the party took 12 seats, any victory should be a cause of concern. The presence of the party raises tensions, divides communities, causes fear and racial violence.
Many organisations from Great Britain and Northern Ireland arranged once again a wide variety of activities to speak out against all forms of racism. As during the last UNITED campaign, residents of Dale Farm marked the 'International Day for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination' on March 21 by building barricades to protest against the destroying of their homes at Britain's largest Travellers' community in the United Kingdom. The council of Basildon has voted to spend up to five million euro to destroy the settlement of 120 Roma families without providing them with any alternative accommodation. Residents of Dale Farm call it "an act of ethnic-cleaning" and pointed out that thousands of Roma have lost their homes in the United Kingdom in recent years. The residents built barricades of scaffolding and steel gates and distributed UNITED campaign poster to resist the eviction.
Between March 17 and March 29 the "Racial Inclusion Project" arranged the creative art competition "I Have A Dream" to promote inclusion and a future free from racism.
"Antrim Welcomes & Advocates Racial Equality" in Northern Ireland organised a poster exhibition on public transport asking and stating "Are You Racist? - The Difference is only Skin Deep". Moreover, the volunteer action group tried to raise awareness on the issue of racism and building a community together that respects the differences, through articles in the local newspaper of Antrim.
Moreover, the 'Intercultural Week', coordinated by the "Equality Commission for Northern Ireland" and the "National Consultative Com-
mittee on Racism and Interculturalism", took place all over Ireland, from the North to the South, from March 19 to March 25, and many organisations participated. More about it is described under 'Ireland'.
The NGO "Show Racism the Red Card - Scotland" participated also in 2006 in the 'European-wide Action Week Against Racism' and arranged three activities to encourage integration and antiracism through the medium of sport. A national antiracist school competition for antiracist artwork was organised at the Hampden Stadium in Glasgow. Around 250 pupils from many different primary and secondary schools joined the action and followed the magnificent display of poetry, posters and films and the following prize-giving event.
Moreover, "Show Racism the Red Card ­ Scotland" in cooperation with the "Scottish Human Rights Centre" distributed 10 000 asylum-seeker myth-busting postcards throughout Scottish schools, trade unions and football clubs and arranged a "High School Antiracism Day" with an intercultural cuisine and educational sessions at a school in Lochaber on March 27. 450 youngsters participated.
At the end of March the "Greater Manchester Police Authority Race Advisory Group" and the "Manchester City Council" organised the "Greater Manchester Hate Crime Seminar" at the Old Trafford Football Stadium in Manchester.
The organisations "Lyrical Matter - Oxford's Mobile Youth Music Sound System", "Bolton Community Homes" and the "London Borough of Richmond" also joined the UNITED campaign 2006 by arranging interesting and effective events.

GREECE: Promotion of human rights
From March 21 to March 23 "RIGMA - Social Anti-racist Cultural Movement " joined the 'European-wide Action Week Against Racism' 2006 and arranged, together with the gallery "Ash in Art", the
three-days "Festival for the International Day Against Racism 2006" in Athens. It included several live concerts of Turkish and Greek musicians, projections of photos from all over the world, movies about racism and a book exhibition. Many immigrants made a contribution to the festival.


IRELAND: 'Antiracism poster on board'
On the 'International Day for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination', "Amnesty International Irish Section" and the "Irish Centre for Human Rights" have published a new report on institutional racism at the level of the Irish State. It carries out that the Irish government has failed to sufficiently tackle the presence of racial discrimination in its laws, policies and practices, and to take powerful steps to combat it. "We are concerned that discussion about racism, not only by politicians but also the media and the general public, tends to focus on personal racism such as racist attacks or racist comments by individual judges", said Colm Ó Cuanacháin, Secretary General of Amnesty's Irish Section. The report considers that, while the 'National Action Plan Against Racism' is a welcome initiative, the government has recently introduced measures that seriously undermined its commitment to antiracism. The Plan, which was launched in January 2005, aims at providing strategic direction to combat racism and developing a more inclusive, intercultural society in Ireland.
From March 19 to March 25, the 'Intercultural Week', coordinated by the "Equality Commission for Northern Ireland" and the "National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism", took place all over Ireland. It was an important opportunity for NGOs, statutory, media, youth, local development and community bodies to organise activities focused on celebrating diversity. Participation is one of the key themes of the 'National Action Plan Against Racism', because it creates a sense of belonging for people from minority ethnic backgrounds in public, political, economic and cultural life. One example of the wide variety of events was the "Colour Our Community" in the shopping center of Longford. On March 24, an art project was launched and campaign material was distributed.
Once again the "Multicultural Day at the Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland" was organised by the "Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland" to celebrate the 'European-wide Action Week Against Racism' 2006 in Dublin. March 18 was a day of great activity when the community came together to celebrate diversity and condemn racism. Throughout the day two football tournaments were held and a food fair, an exhibition, an art competition, games and several other interesting activities were arranged.
From March 18 to March 26, antiracism posters advertising the 'European-wide Action Week Against Racism' were hanging in the trams of Connex Transport Ireland.
To promote the integration of ethnic minorities through sports, "Sports Against Racism Ireland" organised on March 21 the media launch "Football 4 Integration".
In the frame of this year's UNITED campaign, as well as in the frame of the 'International Roma Day' on April 8, the "Pavee Point Travellers Centre" arranged the launch of the report "Assimilation Policies and Outcomes: Travellers' Experience" demonstrating the dichotomy between official government policy and actual practice, and calling attention to the difficulties of Travellers trying to integrate into Irish society. An exhibition highlighted the work of the Centre over the past five years, traditional Traveller and Roma food was served and the day was celebrated with music and dancing. Participants had the chance to share experiences of racism and discrimination.
Moreover, the "Irish Traveller Movement" highlighted the importance of information as a tool to fight against discrimination with the launch of their new website.

ITALY: Activities around sport-, school- and university life
The "National Office Against Racial Discrimination" organised with the help of the co-organiser, the "Ministry of Equal Opportunities", for the second time the "Action Week Against Racism" with a series of activities around sport-, school- and university life. Two examples of the wide variety of events, which took place between 18-26 March, were the manifestations "Games Against Racism" in Siracusa, Bologna, Padova, Foggia and Latina with the distribution of T-shirts and flyers and the "Marathon of Rome" on March 26 with a section under the slogan "I Run Against Racism".
Moreover, in Napoli, the "Movement of Students for International Organization" arranged a conference at a university under the motto "Against Racism".


LATVIA: '1001 Nights'
The "Youth National Minority Program Golden Ball ­ 'Zelta Kamoli'" arranged, on March 27, the intercultural event "1001 Nights - Myth and Truth about the Arab World".
Several activities such as presentations, Koran-reading in three different languages, belly dance and traditional food were arranged to highlight the Muslim community in Latvia and the contribution of Arabs to the world's art and literature. Also stereotypes were discussed and questioned.


LUXEMBOURG: Cultural exchange through festival
From March 17 to March 19, "CLAE", the "Comité de Liaison et d'Action des Etrangers", arranged with the help of many other organisations the "23nd Festival of Migration, Cultures and Citizenship" in Kirchberg. The festival promoted the intercultural reality of Luxembourg and enabled cultural exchange among groups with different ethnic and religious backgrounds. It presented a wide variety of cultural events - music, literature, concerts, expositions, dances, different animations and food from all over the world - and featured many international artists, as well as high profile cultural and political personalities. Besides this cultural programme, the festival also provided space for political debates and round tables on interesting and important topics, like integration and the new asylum law.
"Luxembourg Against Racism" organised the exhibition "Football Fans Against Racism", while "ASTI", the "Association de Soutien aux Travailleurs Immigrés" started an action through-out Luxembourg, to point out that "It is Late, but Not Too Late" to speak out against racism.


MACEDONIA: Celebrating diversity
To mark the 'European-wide Action Week Against Racism' 2006 and to raise awareness in the fields of solidarity, tolerance and respect towards the rights of all people living in the country, "Anglunipe" organised the activity "Building a Future Together": a concert including speeches and promotional campaign.
The NGO "Youth Forum Bitola" arranged the distribution of campaign material from 18-26 March in Bitola, and the visit of a Roma orga-nisation to promote "United Against Racism" and future cooperation.
In Kavadarci, the "Council for Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency" organised presentations, public debates and theatre under the motto "Celebrating Diversity - Against Racism and Intolerance".
Moreover, the training course "Human Rights Reporting" took place in Skopje. The "Association of Journalism Students - Macedonia" organised the activity for 28 young journalists to provide them with the necessary skills about covering human rights stories in the Balkan countries, to educate them in the human rights declarations and acts on international and regional level, and to raise awareness and understanding in the field.


NETHERLANDS: Identification booklet to speak out against racism and intolerance
To fight tendencies of racism, extremism and intolerance in the country, a lot of Dutch NGOs joined their forces and arranged, in the framework of the 'European-wide Action Week Against Racism' 2006, events all over the country. The organisations undertook activities according to their priorities and local needs, tried to get their point across on local, regional and national level and dealt with several interesting current themes and questions. For that reason, it was once again a diversified, colourful and expressive campaign - all over the Netherlands debates, exhibitions, cultural parties, conferences, awareness-raising campaigns and festivals took place.
In fact, the Netherlands was one of the most active countries during the UNITED campaign.
The "Platform Allemaal Anders, Allemaal Gelijk" (All Different, All Equal), a joining of political parties, unions, religious-, migrant- women-, social- and refugee organisations, contributed to this year's campaign by arranging the awareness-raising event "Living Together in Freedom, Equality and Solidarity - Actionweek Against Racism and Intolerance". It took place between 18-26 March in Amsterdam and Den Haag. It included several actions like speeches, music events and debates dealing with topics like "Freedom of Opinion in the Netherlands?" or "The Rough Treatment - To which Country Will It Take Us". On March 21, an identification booklet to speak out against all forms of racism and intolerance and to give an overview of organisations where you can find help if you experienced discrimination, was presented.
In several cities like Eindhoven, Rotterdam and Purmerend, NGOs organised festivals and other interesting actions aiming at promoting cultural diversity and understanding. In Eindhoven, "Eindhoven Samen Tegen Racisme" coordinated a week of activities and turned Eindhoven for the third time into a colourful city. People of many different origins came together to enjoy a big festival with music, dance, special activities for children, workshops, sport and cultural program, information, films, literature, discussions, lectures, theatre, cultural party, cabaret and other activities. The participants had for example the chance to play different instruments, to try Suriname and Turkish snacks and to join the workshop "African Week in Eindhoven". Around 70 institution and organisations contributed to this event and more than 15 000 people participated: once again a great success!
"Brabant Bekent Kleur" held, with the help of partners, the symposium "Meedoen! - Join!" including several workshops and an award-giving ceremony at the university of Tilburg to promote diversity and multiculturalism.
During the "Travel Around the World through the Zaanstreek 2006" everybody interested had the opportunity to join activities such as a tour by boat, an intercultural festival with music or a guided tour through a mosque. Also, theatre and dances were organised by the "Bureau Discriminatiezaken Zaanstreek ­ Purmerend".
On March 21, the "Rotterdam Youth Council" arranged the event "Unity Equals Strength": an international anti discrimination award ceremony. The organisation honoured several people who engaged themselves in a special way for diversity.
Canada received the "Certificate for Diversity" and Jesse Jackson received the "International Anti Discrimination Award". Participants could enjoy a great evening with several inspiring speeches and a cultural show.
Apart from that, a lot smaller and large-scale activities were organised in Den Haag, Leiden, Hooghalen, Gouda and Amsterdam.
"LBR", the "National Bureau Against Racial Discrimination" distributed a list of activities to sum up all the events in the Netherlands on the 'International Day for the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination'.


POLAND: Radical right-wing takes over Ministry of Education
On 5 May 2006, Roman Giertych, the leader of the radical right-wing party "League of Polish Families" and of the nationalist youth organisation "All-Polish Youth", was nominated to the post of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education. A wave of protests against this nomination is sweeping across Poland and, among others, pupils, students and NGOs have been manifesting their disagreement. "It is a disgrace! Our worst worries are coming true", comments Marcin Kornak, the chairman of the antifascist "Never Again Association". "The lack of reaction from the politicians to the growing wave of chauvinism in Poland has led to an extreme nationalist being nominated to the ministry of education post. We protest against it!"
Also "Human Rights Watch" expresses its deep concern in a letter to the Polish Prime Minister Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz, about a pattern of acts and statements by members of the government that seem intended to instigate violence, hatred and discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Poland.
"Poland's leaders have stocked the fires of homophobic hatred to advance their political careers", said Scott Lang, director of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights Program at Human Rights Watch. "The continuing calls to restrict a minority's basic freedoms threaten the fabric of democracy".
To protest against common forms of racism, antisemitism and xenophobia, several NGOs in Poland joined the 2006 UNITED campaign. Once again, "Never Again Association" was active during the 'European-wide Action Week Against Racism' by organising a discussion on "Racism in Poland" in Kraków. Participants discussed whether racism still exists in Poland and how it could be combated. Moreover, the organisation arranged, with the help of its partner the "Anti-Nazi Group Krakow", a "Hip Hop Concert Against Racism" with Polish bands and the distribution of campaign material.
Between 17-21 March, educational workshops for youngsters with self-made antiracist posters, banners, postcards and t-shirts were held by a primary school in Torun. Also, a football match was organised.
In Warsaw, the "Lauder Morasha Schools" arranged the information campaign "Kids Against Racism" to raise awareness among the pupils and last but not least, "AEGEE-Lublin" distributed campaign material in a university in Lublin and organised a media campaign during the 'Action Week Against Racism'.


ROMANIA: Discrimination And Attacks Against Roma Continued
Romania is set to join the European Union in 2007, if the preparation efforts of the country are intensified.
Further progress towards greater respect for human rights where made by adopting an anti-discrimination law and by setting up the "National Council Against Discrimination", which is the body responsible for implementing this law.
However, ECRI stated in 2005 that this legislation has hardly been implemented at all, as neither public officials nor the general public are aware of its existence. Moreover, "ECRI notes with concern that the situation of the Roma in Romania remains disturbing. Members of the Roma community are still discriminated against in areas such as employment, education and access to public places, housing and health care services." (ECRI Report 2005)
To speak out against all forms of discrimination in the country, many NGOs contributed to the 'European-wide Action Week Against Racism' by organising a wide-variety of activities throughout the country: Romania was actually one of the most active countries in the framework of the UNITED campaign 2006.
Several organisations especially emphasised the importance of raising awareness among youngster through educational sessions.
In Oradea, "Youth Action for Peace - Oradea" organised educational workshops for students belonging to different ethnic groups to promote mutual understanding, respect and development of intercultural relations. From 20-22 March the students discussed themes like racism, discrimination, antisemitism, self-awareness and their role in the society. The participants, 117 youngsters aged between 15 and 17 years, came up with reactions and slogans like "Doesn't matter if you are a man or a woman, be human and not racist" or "Love can solve everything. Power grows where there
are 2".
The mission of "Initiative Alpbach ­ Brasov" is to promote peace and stability throughout education and cooperation on a national and international level. In this respect, the 'European-wide Action Week Against Racism' represented the perfect opportunity for the NGO to create and implement a medium-term project aiming at
preventing and combat discrimination on all grounds. From 20-24 March, educational workshops and information sessions under the title "Puzzle - A Community for All" were organised in Brasov.
On March 20, workshops for students of 4 High Schools in Bucharest were arranged by the "Romanian Forum for Refugees and Migrants", to improve tolerance and cross-cultural awareness. Moreover, the NGO created an "Information Corner" in every school with different material related to anti-discrimination issues and human rights.
Also "Baraka - Asociatia Social Culturala" organised with the help of a network of 25 schools, an education programme at schools in Bucharest.
The "Association for Oriental and African Studies" arranged a seminar with history teachers and students in Baeau to raise awareness on racism in Romanian schools and the Holocaust in Romania.
The "Romanian National Council for Refugees" organised, on March 17 both an open-door party with refugees and asylum seekers called "Party Against Racism", which included the distribution of refugee-made artefacts.
The NGO "Save the Children - Hunedoara branch" participated in these year's campaign with several activities: from 17-27 March a research under the motto "Racism in Our Town" was arranged in Petrila, an awareness-raising campaign within the local media, debates with pupils, a drawing exhibition and the march "We Don't Need No Segregation" were also arranged.
Movie-screenings, debates and distribution of campaign material, which were organised by "ACCEPT - Bucharest Acceptance Group, "Partners in Development Romania" and "Romani CRISS", took place between 19-23 March in Bucuresti.
"Enjoy Your Future", an international resource center for students, promoted the UNITED
campaign "Speak Out! Against Racism" throughout its website.
The "Culture of Peace Association" and the "Initiativa Autonoma Craiova 2005" arranged the distribution of antiracist material throughout the cities of Bucharest, Craiova and Timisoara.
Also "People of Sibiu for Peace" contributed to the UNITED campaign 2006 by organising the seminar "Racism Here in Sibiu?".

RUSSIA: Violent racism out of control
Racism, intolerance and xenophobic feelings have risen over the last few years in many sectors of Russian society. This alarming development manifests itself through different phenomena including racially motivated killings, beatings and discrimination cases. According to the Sova Information Analytical Centre in Russia, 28 people were murdered and 366 assaulted on racial grounds in 2005. However, the real figure is likely to be much higher as many racial incidents are not reported or registered. In 2006, "Amnesty International" expressed its worries about deep-seated xenophobia and intolerance within society and published the report "Russian Federation: Violent Racism Out of Control". Irene Khan, Amnesty International's Secretary General, appeals to Russian authorities to take action against racially motivated attacks in the country. The state is not sufficiently systematic and consistent to combat them. Besides asylum-seekers, refugees, members of ethnic groups, migrants, members of the Jewish community and Roma, foreign students are the targets of those crimes. In 2006, a Senegalese student was shot dead by a gun decorated with a Nazi swastika as he was coming out of a night club with friends in St. Petersburg, the city where the biggest number of attacks on foreign students was registered. Only one example of a series of apparent racist attacks.
To raise awareness on the problems of foreign students in Russia and to support them in a practical way, "Youth Human Rights Movement" organised on 21 March 2006, the International Day of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, a hotline especially for foreign students. The main questions and reports of the caller covered abuse of power by the police, rights of foreign students and their problems with integration in Russian society. Representatives of government bodies joined the action by answering question. They promised to make concrete improvements of the situation.
Between March 18 and March 26 the international action "Stop Racism" took place in several Russian cities. Local youth, civil and antifascist organisations and groups in St. Petersburg, Orel, Petrozavodsk, Nazran, Voronezh, Rostov-on-Don, Krasnodar, Nizhny Novgorod, Vladimir, Saratov and Pskov supported the annual initiative of the "International Youth Human Rights Movement" and offered a wide variety of public, educational and information actions in their regions to deliver especially to youngsters the message "To be a racist is a shame". In the frame of this event, the activists of Youth Human Rights Group ­ Orel and volunteers of the "Institute of Social Problems 'United Europe'" organised a "Tolerance Lesson" for pupils on March 20 in order to discuss the danger of racism and discrimination.
On March 22, "Samara International Society for Cultural Studies " arranged the conference "Diversity in the Dialogue, Dialogue in the Diversity: Peace, Culture, Tolerance, Education". Lectures and presentations were given and movies were shown to the 40 participants. The main topics of the conference were Russia as a multicultural country, its ethnic and religious conflicts and the importance of a cultural dialogue for a democratic and peaceful development of Russia.
Also, the "Community Centre of Jewish Culture 'Zvi Girsh'" joined the Action Week Against Racism 2006 and organised the action "The Colours of Nizhniy". Participants removed violent messages from the walls in the centre of Nizhniy Novgorod .
To combat all forms of racism and to promote tolerance, "Happy Childhood - Pskov Region" arranged an awareness-raising campaign.
In Moscow, the "Center for Interethnic Cooperation" stated with other organisations "We Are Different, but this Doesn't Stop Us from Being Friends", and arranged performances, presentations, awareness-raising campaign and music in Moscow. Moreover, the "Civil Chamber of Voronezh - Human Rights Center " and "Social Democratic Union of Youth - St. Petersburg " joined the UNITED campaign 2006 with interesting actions.


SERBIA & MONTENEGRO: 'Dangerous indifferences'
The UNITED campaign in Serbia and Montenegro took place in the shadow of the upcoming referendum of Montenegro to seek full independence. On June 3, the Parliament of Montenegro declared the independence of Montenegro, formally confirming the result of the referendum. The declaration envisages Montenegro as a "multiethnic, multicultural and multireligious society (...) based on the rule of law and market." We will see what the future will bring, what the independence will mean for both countries, their population and also for antiracism work.
In the framework of the UNITED campaign "Speak Out! Against Racism", which gained even more political presence and high actuality through the referendum, "Esperanca" arranged the distribution of antiracist material and a public tribune. Several lectures were held dealing with racism in Serbia & Montenegro and in other countries to raise awareness in this field, to compare situations and to learn and support each other in the fight against racism.
Very important issues, such racism and violence are still a common and big problem in Serbia & Montenegro. "Human Rights Watch" stated in its report called "Dangerous Indifferences: Violence Against Minorities in Serbia", which was released in October 2005, that the Serbian government fails to seriously address violence directed against ethnic, national and religious minorities and that this served to encourage Serbs extremists.
To promote human rights and to speak out against racism and discrimination, the "Intercultural Youth Center - Caritas Serbia & Montenegro" organised between 20-24 March several workshops, a round table, discussions, a manifestation and the distribution of UNITED campaign material at different places in Belgrade. The participants stated clearly: "Accept 'Differences'!"
The "Young European Federalist - Serbia & Montenegro" contributed to the UNITED campaign by arranging the awareness-raising campaign "Colour is an Optical Illusion - Boja Je Opicka Iluzija" and the distribution of campaign material in Belgrade.
Moreover, the "Montenegrin Helsinki Committee for Human Rights" arranged a press conference in Budva, while the "Center for Human Rights & Democracy ­ Uzice" and the NGO "Positive Youth" organised the distribution of antiracist material in Uzice and at the universities in Kraljevo and Belgrade.


SPAIN: 'Intercultural Space'
From March 20 to April 7, "Asociacion Columbares" organised several activities especially for one high school in San Javier. The theme of the event - "Interculturalism Against Racism" ­ aimed at encouraging the development of interculturality in the organisation of the school and in the curriculum. Workshops about prejudices, discrimination and diversity were organised and a symbolic 'intercultural space' for both students and teachers was built in the entrance hall of the school, where different kinds of material like pictures, posters, songs and poetries could be collected and displayed. Moreover, the students had the possibility to participate in a poster competition and could create, individually or in small groups, a poster against racism. UNITED campaign posters served as model examples. On the last day of the event, students and teachers of the High School prepared on their own an 'Intercultural Day'. A picture competition and 'Crazy Olympic Games' were arranged, where small groups represented each a different country. The members of these groups searched for information on the country and participated in sport games.
Also, "SOS Racismo ­ Madrid" participated in these year's UNITED campaign and spoke out against racism by organising several activities. From March 19 to April 4, an exhibition of paintings and photographs was arranged in Madrid under the title: "Art as a Means of Fighting Racism and Discrimination". Moreover, the NGO organised the "2nd Anti Racist Days" with several activities during four days of action. On March 21, the event was opened with the broadcasting of the documentary "Entre Dos Aguas ­ Between Two Waters" and an exhibition of short documentaries. In the following days, the participants could join theatre, sketches and round tables. Themes like immigration, interculturalism and models of integration were discussed, also on the radio.
One big event took place on March 25 and March 26 in Cádiz: the antiracist football tournament "El Cadismo Contra El Racismo" was organised by Colectivo de Prevención e Inserción Social Andalucia" and others. Banners were shown in the football stadium, flyers and t-shirts were distributed and a press conference was given.


SWITZERLAND: Conference on 'Racisme Anti-Noir'
To contribute to the fight for the reinstatement of the African minorities in their dignity and their memory and to encourage exchanges, "Carrefour d'Réflexion & d'Action contre Racisme anti-Noir" organised the "1st European Conference on 'Racisme anti-Noir'" from March 17 to March 18 in Genève. Reports on the European situation and on specific nations were provided, several lectures and discussions on interesting and important themes like the origin of 'racisme anti-noir', slavery, colonisation and stereotypes were held, and participants could join different workshops.
"Forum Tous Différents Tous Égaux" coordinated - already for the 11th time - with the help of several partners, a wide variety of activities in the frame of the 'International Day for all Forms of Racial Discrimination'. On March 18, different animations, info-tables, discussions, food, theatre, different kind of dances and a concert were organised in Neuchâtel. Also the exhibition "Me, a Racist?" was arranged on the streets to attract passers-by. On the same day in La Chaux-de-Fonds, a show called "And If We Spoke About It" was performed by youngsters to highlight the issues of racism and discrimination. Afterwards discussion took place.
Moreover, the "Forum Tous Différents Tous Égaux" organised, from March 20 to March 24, the play "Murmur the Rumour", which is
especially developed to raise awareness among youngsters and to promote tolerance.
Also "ACOR SOS Racisme" and the "Théâtre Saint-Gervais" contributed to these year's 'European-wide Action Week Against Racism' by organising a manifestation with lectures, testimonies the and presentation of concrete projects to prevent racism and discrimination in Genève. The activities were arranged under the title "Voices and Facts".
The "Bureau de l'intégration des étrangers" co-ordinated the Swiss edition of the "7th Annual Action Week Against Racism", which took place also in Canada and Belgium from March 17 to March 26. The programme was coordinated with the help of several partners and included many different events like documentations, a conference and lectures.


UKRAINE: 'Arabic Party' with dances, poetry and food in Sumy
The Ukrainian parliamentary election, which took place on March 26, 2006, was the first election after the so-called 'Orange Revolution' in 2004, where accusations of widespread vote-rigging sent hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians out on the streets to demand the change of the election result. The first declared result was later overturned and Viktor Yushchenko went on to become president. 2 years later the president's party "Our Ukraine" received less than 14% of the national vote, coming third after the "Part of Regions" and the "Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc".
This year's campaign against racism gained even more actuality through the elections and a raise of xenophobic speeches of some political groups and persons.
From March 17 to April 2, "Eurasia" arranged a wide variety of events in the frame of the 'European-wide Action Week Against Racism'. The NGO organised the exhibition of UNITED posters during an international festival in Sumy. For that reason, also visitors from other cities and countries had the possibility to get to know more about the antiracism campaign. On March 19, a multicultural event, called "Arabic Party", was arranged with belly dances, oriental folklore dance, Arabic poetry and food. One day later, the organisation started a raising-awareness action in the street of Sumy by distributing "Speak Out! Against Racism" posters and stickers. Moreover, the methodic booklet "Against Discrimination" was presented and distributed and a seminar about multiculturalism and cultural changes organised. Several representatives of NGOs and the authority sector participated. Last but not least, on April 2, "Eurasia" arranged a cultural event with speeches, songs and music.
Between March 22 and March 25, the "International Youth Network 'Youth Knot'" arranged artistic performances under the title "The Colours Compose Harmony" in three different cities and countries; Kiev (UA), Tbilisi (GE) and Prague (CZ).


OTHER COUNTRIES: A broad variety of actions
In Cyprus, an awareness-raising campaign and a training course under the title "Flower Garden" was organised by the "Intercultural Peace Education and Training Centre". The "Human Rights and Education Network" arranged "Peer Mediation and Creative Conflict Management" in several schools in Limassol.
To demonstrate against restrictions of human rights of minorities, "Initiative for Social Fora" and "Society for European Dialogue" organised the "March Against War" in Prague on March 19.
In Denmark, the NGO "Ungdomshuset" brought into action a music event, theatre performances by an intercultural youth group and a poster campaign in Odense. To raise awareness, "SOS mod Racisme" held a lecture and a following debate on refugees in the history of Denmark and their integration.
The event "Faces" was organised by "Amnesty International Malta Group" on March 18. Participants laid down hundreds of pictures of people from different countries and cultures to raise awareness in the field of racism.
To mark and celebrate the "International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination" in France, "UNESCO" arranged a series of activities in Paris, such as a photo contest, an award ceremony and several round tables. Interesting and current topics, such as the role of schools and universities in countering discrimination, were discussed by participants.
The organisation "Conseil de la Jeunesse Pluriculturelle" participated in the UNITED campaign too.
In Iceland, an awareness-raising campaign with speeches and a media campaign were organised by "Panorama Iceland". A "Concert Against Racism" was arranged the "Intercultural Centre of Reykjavík".
Several other organisations in Azerbaijan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Belarus, Estonia, Hungary, Croatia, Lithuania, Moldova, Norway, Sweden, Turkey and Uzbekistan joined this year's UNITED campaign.


See the complete List of Activities!


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UNITED for Intercultural Action
European network against nationalism, racism, fascism
and in support of migrants and refugees
Postbus 413, NL-1000 AK Amsterdam, Netherlands
phone +31-20-6834778, fax +31-20-6834582
info@unitedagainstracism.org, www.unitedagainstracism.org