All
Different - All Equal !
European-wide Action Week Against Racism 17-25 March 2007 |
All Different
All Different, All Equal !
All Different All Equal Rights ?
In December 2000 the
European Parliament, the European Council and European Commission
solemnly proclaimed the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the
European Union.
More than 60 years ago World War II ended.
"Racist attacks rise sharply in Europe" titles Reuters
UK on February 20th, 2007 on their homepage. Surprised ?
After 9/11, analyses show a worldwide increase of racial attacks
and discrimination. National extremism earns acceptance and right-wing
parties find more and more agreement in society.
Disappointed ? - Yes, of course !
Burnt Out ? - Not at all ! Now less than ever !
And there is a particular reason for it: Europe's Antiracistmovement,
NGOs, grass root organizations, volunteers' associations, educational
and training institutions, and many open minded individuals share
a vision of Europe as a land of equal rights and opportunities
for everyone. People who look deeper and open their minds
who are proud to be involved into the struggle against racism
and act knowing that in the end it is everybody's benefit.
Activities in 44 European
countries !
21st of March was declared the 'International Day for the Elimination
of All Forms of Racial Discrimination' by the General Assembly
of the United Nations as a reaction to the murder of 69 anti-apartheid
demonstrators in Sharpeville, South-Africa, in 1960. 21st March
marks also the highlight and center of one of Europe's broadest
annual antiracist campaigns: the 'European-wide Action Week against
Racism'.
This Action Week was initiated by the UNITED network in 1992
and celebrated in 2007 its 15th anniversary with activities in
40 European countries. It has grown into the broadest annual
antiracist campaign, motivating people to act against racism.
Between March 17th and 25th 2007 all over Europe, from Reykjavík
to Baku and from Athens to Lisbon activities have been organised
at local, national and inter-national level. A three-figure sum
of different NGOs arranged special workshops, training sessions,
street actions, intercultural festivals and more to inform general
public about the challenges and opportunities of an interacting
multicultural society.
The main slogan of this year's campaign claimed "All Different
All Equal (Rights ?)" and was directly linked to the
framework of the European Youth Campaign for Diversity, Human
Rights and Participation "All Different - All Equal"
of the Council of Europe. "All Different - All Equal"
is more than just a slogan, it's a question: What does equal
mean? Does it mean we all have equal rights? What about equal
access, equal opportunities, equal chances?
Combat racism !
"This day reminds us that we all have a responsibility to
prevent and combat racism and discrimination", stated Mr
Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO emphasizing
that "discrimination, in its many different forms, still
affects the rights and dignity not only of many individuals,
but also of entire communities". His words remind us that
people continue to suffer exclusion and prejudice because of
their minority background, ethnic origin, religion or social
status. Today racism affects all our societies, without exception,
threatening peace, cohesion and stability. Structural racism
is one of its newer forms.
Celebrate Diversity !
The large number of 44 participating countries as well as the
variety of the events organized in the frame of the '2007 Action
Week' symbolize on one hand the wide spectrum of approaches,
and on the other hand the different tools that are used to celebrate
diversity.
UNITED for Intercultural Action coordinated the 'Action Week'
by stimulating organisations via e-mail or phone to participate.
UNITED supported groups by large scale distributing information-materials,
offering knowledge, helping in finding partners etc. To ensure
an overview on the events, a 'European List of Activities' was
regularly updated
on the website.
The 'Internet Centre Anti Racism Europe' (ICARE) news-team conducted
live reporting of selected activities. Check out those interviews
in English, French and Spanish language on www.icare.to.
Who fears for Equal Rights ?
In the wave of great enthusiasm that this year's successful campaign
brought to all the movement, we must not forget that still in
self-declared democratic Europe, institutions and general attitude
often cast a shadow on good practices. In Russia a young activist
got arrested while organising one of the events planned in the
framework of the 'Antiracist Week'. It is not the first time
things like this happen. This points out that in 2007, in certain
regions and countries, acting for equal rights is still seen
as a threat against "controlled" society.
Question: Why do specific groups and institutions fear people
who act for equal rights?
UNITED against racism
Linked through UNITED for Intercultural Action, the 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!
See also link to the Action Week Against Racism on the official
All Different - All Equal website of the Council of Europe: alldifferent-allequal.info/node/527
COUNTRY REPORTS
INTERNATIONAL: Three T's
"As we celebrate
the 50th anniversary of the European Union, nobody can remain
neutral in the fight against racism", said Beate Winkler,
interim Director of the newly established "European Union
Agency for Fundamental Rights" (FRA), speaking from Rome
on the occasion of 'International Day for the Elimination of
Racial Discrimination'. According to the FRA's report, racist
violence and harassment are a fact of life for many individuals
in Europe. Remembering that 2007 is designated by the EU as the
'European Year of Equal Opportunities for All', "we call
on governments to intensify their efforts and to engage society
at large to turn principles into reality!" According to
Winkler, the success of prosperous societies was mainly based
on "three T's": technology, talents and tolerance.
"Europe cannot afford to waste talents if it wants to prosper",
she added.
ARMENIA: Faces of Racism
On March 21st, "HCA Vanadzor" organised a workshop
entitled "The Future without Racism". Participants
included students of various public schools of Vanadzor and the
volunteers of "HCA Vanadzor".
An explanation pointing on its background, the 'European-wide
Action Week against Racism', opened the event. The schedule included
a discussion about the 'International Convention on the Elimination
of all forms of Racial Discrimination', its traditional and modern
hidden manifestations as well as the necessity of perceiving
diversity and of not accepting differences as threats. Interactive
games revealed the approaches of the youngsters to racism. After
that, a film informed about previous March-activities of "HCA
Vanadzor. During the sessions UNITED information-leaflets were
handed out, especially to encourage people to think about the
matter of definitions.
BELGIUM: "Yes, I do" 600 couples
tie the knot to fight racism!
On the 21st of March,
the Belgium town Sint-Niklaas/Antwerp became the arena of a mass-wedding
against Racism. More than 650 couples tied the knot in response
to three couples' refusal to have ethnic minority belonging municipal
official Wouter Van Bellingen marry them. "Yes, I do",
was the answer of the more than a thousand demonstrators to express
their solidarity as well as to speak out against discrimination.
In the beginning of 2007, three couples rejected the first black
municipal official in the history of Flanders. "What is
the negative attitude from three couples compared to the positive
signal from 600?" a proponent answered to criticism stating
that the event would ultimately only bring negative attention
to the region by making it seem intolerant.
BULGARIA: Racism and Religion
The training session
"Religious Diversity & Anti-Discrimination" which
was held in Sofia from 18 23 March is one of Bulgaria's
contribution to the 'Action Week 2007'.
The training aims at tackling issues related to the increasing
religious diversity in Europe by providing adult educators with
the tools to recognise respect and understand religious
diversity and confront prejudice and discrimination. Hosted by
"Partners Foundation Bulgaria" the training welcomed
15 participants from nine European countries to interact and
find practical solutions. Their selection process focused on
people of all senses of religious and non-religious belonging.
The course itself was developed by "CEJI" in cooperation
with partners from six European countries and with the support
of the "Grundtvig Programme" of the European Union
and the Ford Foundation.
CYPRUS: Immigrants Rally against
Discrimination
On March 17, The "Future
Worlds Center" organised an information event against racism
in Cyprus. Entitled "All Different All Equal: Fighting
Racism and Promoting Peace" and devoted to the 'European-wide
Action Week', its purpose centred the vision of a multicultural
environments where people from all over the world would be able
to enjoy themselves. To give a starting input, informational
material on diversity and peace was disseminated in the attempt
to increase awareness on those issues.
Organising an "Immigrants
Rally" for the antiracism action week, more or less 250
migrants, refugees, asylum seekers and foreign students marched
onto Parliament, expressing their determination to fight racism,
discrimination and xenophobia.
"Justice and equality for all" and "implement
EU law" resounded constantly while the banner-waving crowd
was on its way to the Labour and Interior Ministries, where they
handed over a memorandum. The issues the group wanted to address
include an end to what they call arbitrary deportations as well
as eligibility to long-term residency, equal access to education
and health systems and better employment conditions. "We've
had enough and are here showing our strength in numbers",
said a representative of "KISA - Action for Equality, Support
and Anti-Racism".
ESTONIA: Somebody's missing a Scarf?
Using the UNITED slogans
"Look deeper", "Colour is an optical illusion"
and "UNITED to Combat Racism", members of Youth Union
Siin made a "Tolerance Scarf" (in Estonian "SALLivuse
SALL") for the 'Action Week against Racsim' in Tallinn.
Powered by the "All Different, All Equal" campaign,
the objective of their unconventional project was to hand over
the scarf to Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip in front of
Stenbock House (government house) symbolizing the struggle for
tolerance in society as well as reminding that there are also
people speaking Russian in Estonia. Unfortunately Andrus Ansip
did not welcome those youngsters and their gift waiting for him
he did not appear. Unimpressed "Why to worry
about Ansip's absence?" seemed to be the parole the
demonstrators carried on with their peaceful protest. Some of
them were European volunteers joining the action to proclaim
that besides Estonians and Russians also citizens from other
nationalities live in the country. At least four policemen represented
national authorities, one of them even filmed the action; one
potential reason why the demonstrators decided to deliver "SALLivuse
SALL" to one of them. Finally, with a little modification
in the program, Youth Union Siin transmitted their intended message.
Starting from Toompea Hill in the old town of Tallinn it will
be heard, not least through the UNITED-report, in whole Europe.
Encore!
FINLAND: Trash your Prejudices!
"Make an environmental
act, give up your prejudices!" was the motto of Finnish
"Red Cross" members. Dressed up in binmen's clothes
and carrying red rubbish containers they wandered through Helsinki's
city center in their mission to collect people's prejudices.
People's task was only to write down one or even all of their
stereotypes on a white sheet of paper. Throwing that sheet into
the refuse bin they were already participants of the action targeting
to trash "mental dirt" by filling up the whole cans.
To make sure people really got rid of all those debunked thoughts,
the binmen even burnt their booties afterwards.
GEORGIA: Music, Integration and
Women' Rights
Tbilisi Recognizing specificities among different cultural,
ethnic, religious and other communities "Children and Youth
Department & International Foundation LEA"
organised a concert of classical music. Knowing that music crosses
all barriers and borders, and it still unites, the participation
of Jewish and diverse ethnical minorities as well as Georgian
musicians targeted the development of dialogue with culture.
This was reinforced by the announcement of the "All Different
All Equal" campaign which supports the promotion of
mutual respect.
The phenomenon of integration of course affects the Georgian
population, which consists for its 16% of representatives of
ethnical minorities. Actually, more than 20 ethnic minority communities
exist in Georgia, including the Jewish community.
Another big issue concerns specificities among Georgian women
and girls who face multiple discrimination: on grounds of both
ethnicity and gender. "In order to protect, promote, and
advance women's human rights, advocates and policymakers must
take into account differences among women with respect to age,
socio-economic status, racial/ethnic background, religion, national
origin, citizenship status, disability among others", highlights
"Children and Youth Department & International Foundation
LEA". In concrete terms it is about the development of an
advocacy campaign to combat intolerance, anti-Semitism as well
as gender based forms of discrimination.
GERMANY: Sensitization on History,
Do it Yourself and more - over 500 Events
Starting from March
7th, the 'International Week against Racism' took place in Germany.
The "Interkulturelle Rat in Deutschland" and "Gesicht
zeigen! Aktion weltoffenes Deutschland" established
a new record: the highest amount of actions that have ever taken
place around the 21st of March. Maybe the answer lies somewhere
between the strange
combination of the numbers, anyway never before the actions have
been so rich and various, the places so diverse.
Workshops, concerts, movie projections, conferences, information
stands, sport activities, demonstrations, lectures, intercultural
lessons, seminars etc. a lot was going on between the 17th
and 25th of March. In fact more than 500 events were counted
in whole Germany not to mention another 150 actions happening
in schools. Germans of all backgorunds thanked the organisers
through their daily presence and participation. In all its aspects
this year's week was so special that even the media put more
attention on it.
The title of a poster exhibition "Together we are strong
Kick out Racism" in Frankfurt am Main was at the same
time the motto for the cooperation between the organisers "Interkultureller
Rat", the "Deutsche Bank Skyliners" and the "Amt
für multikulturelle Angelegenheiten der Stadt Frankfurt".
Starting from March 13th nearly 1.000 places in Frankfurt were
decorated with posters claiming that there is no space for Racism
neither in sport or its teams nor in member clubs, fan groups
or any other field.
In Mannheim, another exposition concentrated on the issues of
Internationality, Racism, Xenophobia and Diversity. Initiated
by the German artist Christine Behrens, who has been working
with children from different backgrounds and countries, their
elaborated actions give a drawn statement for intercultural exchange
and tolerance. Keep up the good work!
Ready for historical sensitization?
Everybody who is shouting "Yes" now would have been
well advised to join "Gemeinsamer Friedensweg" on the
19th of March in Lindau. This collective peace walk planned and
organised by "Exilio - Hilfe für Migranten, Flüchtlinge
& Folterüberlebende" in cooperation with the local
group of "Amnesty International" offered participants
the chance to find out more about historic and current events
related to the issue of war and peace. In spite of the cold weather,
twenty brave and interested citizens followed the two hours tracks
through different churches, passing the peace stone of Lindau
in front of the town hall and the memorial stone against war.
On March 22, "Exilio" called for an informative meeting
about fascism during World War II in Lindau, as well as current
developments in the extreme right As the title "NS-Fascism
in Lindau" already mentions, the event gave an overview
about that era with a special focus on the situation in Lindau.
A lecture reported on the story of Jewish citizens of Lindau.
After that, a member of an anti-fascist group from Ravensburg
reflected current activities of extreme right-wing groups and
parties. Over 40 people who joined the meeting followed the two
presentations and even shared in the discussion.
Do it yourself!
The opener for the 'European Action Week against Racism' in Germany
was a project with the reflective title "Diversity under
Construction". That's why from March 15 to March 18 youngsters
(between the age of 11 to 25) gathered from different regions
and areas in Illingen to celebrate diversity and promote human
rights. The initiator of this European Campaign 'All different
All equal' in cooperation with "Gemeinde Illingen"
and "Landesjugendring Saar" offered professional support
and knowledge on how to combat discrimination and Racism using
own capacities. The youth sector showed its involvement by developing
20 project-ideas. One idea includes the arrangement of a national
'Action-day' for the rights of refugee-children on September
22 (which is already known as 'International Day of Children').
Another example is a game especially designed for pupils who
want to learn more about the topic of discrimination. All of
these local conceptions will be realised till October 2007.
GREAT-BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND:
Gypsies, Travellers and Roma
"Gypsies, Travellers
and Roma Culture Week" was launched on 19th of March in
London. The week coincides with the 'Action Week' not only because
of the date, but also because of its topics and aims: developing
understanding and cohesion between communities in the borough.
Organised by Waltham Forest Council in cooperation with "Roma
Support Group", "EduAction", "CARA Housing
Association" and "ALERT" the 'Guide Book for Health
and Other Professionals' was presented. "Our work with gypsies,
travellers and Roma demonstrated there was a need for a guidebook
for health professionals who worked with this community",
justifies one producer. The "Gypsies, Travellers and Roma
Culture Week" included also "Passing Places",
an exhibition about life and culture of gypsies.
The UK and the other countries
of Europe are signatories to children's rights conventions. That's
a fact. Still, whole groups of children are classified as foreigners
and asylum seekers, a status which changes their rights and treatment:
they are not simply children anymore they are 'illegal'. That's
a fact, too!
The new report from the "Institute of Race Relations"
(IRR), 'They are Children Too', which was presented on March
13 to mark the 'European-wide Action Week 2007' analyses 150
cases from across Europe. It shows how unaccompanied minors,
children in families of asylum seekers and those whose parents
are without the requisite papers, are being damaged by the harsh,
target-driven deportation systems which now prevails across the
continent.
"Children are the measure of our possibilities; how we treat
them is the measure of our humanity", says A. Sivanandan,
IRR director, pulling together evidence from the 150 cases involving
arrest, deportation, detention and destitution.
GREECE: Self-designed Posters and
one Festival
In Greece, the "Technical School of Trikala" joined
the campaign against racism during the 'European-wide Action
Week'. Students were working on a collection of posters concerning
the topic of racism. By putting well-known symbols in a new,
uncommon context they intended to create a strong and clear message
check out the example next to the text! During a local
event, the artists showed their work to representatives of both
the local media and the educational community of the territory.
Furthermore, "National Coordinating Commitee Greece
General Secretariat of Youth" (N.C.C.) organised the "Antiracism
Festival" in Athens. Offering a variety of activities like
a theatrical event played by young refugees, interactive sessions
with percussion instruments, a living library or a workshop called
tastes of the world, "N.C.C" notified the public about
the 'All Different All Equal Campaign'. At the same time
they tried to bring people from different groups together. While
focusing on individual problems, discussions on how to solve
difficulties arose. Youngsters as well as the represented organisations
used the opportunity of the informal, but close, festival-atmosphere
to come up with project ideas that could be realised in next
future. Go on!
HUNGARY: Ethnic Issues
To contribute to the "European-wide Action Week against
Racism 2007" "Subjective Values Foundation" organised
one conference and celebrated a cultural event in Budapest. Following
the main theme "Being Hungarian as an ethnic issue"
participants shared their experiences and tried to explore possible
political strategies as well as approaches from surrounding countries.
Three discussions filled the programme. The first one was organised
by the "Hungarian Office of UNHCR" and analysed the
situation of migrants and their integration in Hungarian society.
The second one shared personal insights concerning problems minorities
face while living in surrounding countries and also putting the
light on Hungarian case. As for the third discussion, sociologists
and experts on minority introduced the legal sociological background
and spoke about violent acts against Hungarian minority the surrounding
country. Politicians and representatives of Hungarian and European
NGOs were invited to touch the issue from a political point of
view. The whole round table was broadcasted live by radio. An
instrumental competition between young MCs offered time to relax
at the end of the program.
IRELAND: Sport Supports - Football
against Racism
In the frame of the
'European-wide Action Week Against Racism", the "Ebony
People Support Group, Ireland" facilitated a pilot multi-cultural
schools soccer project in Drogheda. As part of a program developed
by "Sports against Racism Ireland" (SARI), seven post-primary
schools across Ireland, along with a number of groups from the
local community, participated in a "ONE-DAY SOCCER BLITZ"
between 9th and 14th of March. Their message was clear: an attempt
to develop links between the participating schools and providing
a platform of encouragement for communities through sport.
"Show Racism the Red Card"
had a busy week during the days around 21st of March.
Their activity kicked off on Friday 16th of March at Mount Carmel's
secondary school's, with an intercultural day. Together with
the FAI Intercultural coordinator, "Show Racism the Red
Card" delivered three very well received workshops with
students in the school.
From March 21 till March 22, 120 pupils from three primary schools
and three secondary schools from Tallaght, Lucan and Clondalkin
participated in a workshop before they played a football blitz
hosted by the "South Dublin Council/ FAI Football".
During one of the sessions, a member of FAI spoke about the role
out of the "UEFA 10 point plan" against racism, and
the good practice fund being put in place to support clubs to
implement the plan. Furthermore, the forthcoming intercultural
plan which concentrates on promoting participation and support
ethnic minority communities within Irish football was discussed.
LATVIA: Relax and open your Mind!
On the 'International
Day for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination'
the youth club "For&Against" organised an activity
for young people of Madona region. Under the title "Tolerance
PARTY", approximately 40 Latvian youngsters came together
to discuss current problems concerning intolerance and the lack
of respect between people. The aim of the organisers was to create
a comfortable atmosphere where people could speak and listen
to each other in an informal way. With the confortable help of
tea and cookies, some participants started playing the guitar
and others showed their piano-skills while the rest were enjoying
ping-pong games. Participants could even enjoy watching some
films. That sounds relaxing doesn't it! It is not to be
forgotten that for the goal of this 'sit-in' "For&Against"
prepared a very special assignment for each participant: already
in advance, everybody was asked to bring some interesting object
which characterises youngsters of Madona. The party offered the
occasion to present them. Every person was called to the 'chill
out room' to explain the reason for the chosen object by improvising
a performance. The amazing variety of those souvenirs everyone
was unique - finally represented the different background, aspects
and stories of the participants. One girl, for example, took
a broken bottle. She said that it symbolises youngsters' social
life in Madona. On the one hand sharp and dangerous, but on the
other hand "it has a bright side where the light can shine
it through!" she remarked. Applause.
The event successfully demonstrated that young people focus on
bruidge building and share mutual respect.
On the 23rd of March, the "European
Student forum in Riga" (AEGEE-Riga) invited everybody to
join their seminar "Racism and intercultural conflict".
Approximately 50 young people from more than 10 countries followed
one and a half hour an Italian volunteer of "Zemgales NVO
centers" Latvia who informed about racism and intercultural
conflict. Questions about why Europe promotes diversity opened
the mental process in Stockholm School of Economics leading the
participants' focus to the concrete challenge on how each of
them could contribute and support it. A variety of methods were
used, like lectures continued by discussion, personal exchange
and video materials. Of course interactivity with games functioned
as part of the English spoken program. Youngsters took advantage
of the possibility to learn more about racism from different
countries' perspective as well as finding out its roots in society.
LIECHTENSTEIN: Right Wing Scene
On the 17th of March
2007 "Colorado" organised a congress against racism
("Antirassismus-Forum") in Eschen. The congress comprised
two speeches and a panel discussion. One speech was held by a
Swiss racism expert. He talked about the right wing scene in
general, how they are organised, what they do e.g. The other
speech was held by a member of the "Antifaschistisches Perssearchiv
und Bildungszentrum Deutschland" (Apabiz) in Berlin, who
talked about the symbols the right winged scene uses.
The last part of the congress was the panel discussion. Three
members of Liechtenstein's parliament, the leader of the police,
the president of the Turkish women's club and a member of "Colorida"
discussed different topics about racism in Liechtenstein.
Parallel to the speeches and the discussion it was possible to
view an exposition whose contributions were made by different
pupils of Liechtenstein. There were short films, articles out
of newspapers, and many other items. About three hundred people
visited the congress and the feedback was very positive.
LITHUANIA: The Price of Racial Discrimination
"Racial and ethnic discrimination becomes acute problem
because of the free movement of people within the EU labor market."
The statement of a member from "Ombudsperson for Equal Opportunities"
reflects the catching atmosphere of the press conference on the
opening of the 'Action Week against Racism 2007' in Vilnius/Lithuania.
Before we follow its details, some background information at
first:
From March 10 to 26 the "Human Rights Monitoring Institute"
joined the international community in a series of events organised
in Lithuania within the annual 'European-wide Action Week' to
actively engage Lithuanians for tolerance, equal rights and celebration
of diversity. This year's program included various events and
activities that focus on youth and include discussions, art exhibitions,
film screenings and concerts.
Participants had a unique opportunity to discover the culture
of people they see daily around them staying clueless of their
traditions, skills and artwork. Well-known artists presented
their work while politicians, state officials and community leaders
discussed the sensitive issues related to racism.
The starting shot was a roundtable discussion with the title
"Price of Racial Discrimination" : Effectiveness of
Equal Opportunities Policy in Lithuania" motivating state
officials, researchers and representatives of NGO community to
debate about ways to ensure equal opportunities for racial and
ethnic groups in Lithuania.
It has been followed by the press conference and here we
are again: Ausrine Burneikiene informed that the number of complaints
alleging racial and ethnic discrimination is increasing. "Lithuanians
should tolerate newcomers of different racial and ethnic backgrounds
if they want to be tolerated in other cultures. Reportedly, Lithuanians
experience intolerance and discrimination as immigrants in other
countries", she said. "In Lithuania, no state institution
or official monitors and analyses the situation of human rights,
identifies problems and suggests solutions," reflected another
participant. Participants totally agreed that racial and ethnic
discrimination is becoming an acute problem and that Lithuania
is lacking coordination and planning in the field of human rights.
Other participants mentioned that creation of the national human
rights institution, also recommended by the Committee for Elimination
of Racial Discrimination, might be one solution.
The evening-program put the spot on a photograph exhibition
of Andrew Miksys. "BAXT" is the first book-length
collection of the artist. "Baxt" itself roots in Romanian
language; Gypsies use the meaningful letters when they speak
about Luck, Fate, Destiny, Karma, or Kismet - themes that Miksys
addresses in his work with the Lithuanian Roma. "The Roma
have survived for close to 1000 years in Europe even though they
have been subjected to some of the worst racism and prejudice
of any minority in history," the Lithuanian-based photographer
says. "My work honors their traditions and their efforts
to preserve them, but I don't seek to romanticize anything."
Gone are the typical, grainy, black-and-white photo-journalist
shots of barefoot children and wild dogs, and in their place
are quiet and contemplative, but still challenging, portraits
of a community struggling in the backdrop of intense poverty
and racism. In the course of the event visitors enjoyed a performance
by dancers of the "Roma Society Centre". Representatives
of the Department of National Minorities and Lithuanians Living
Abroad and the Human Rights Monitoring Institute greeted the
guests, and Andrew Miksys discussed his works with the public.
The following days there were discussions about prohibition of
discrimination in employment, a special event called "Live
Library", the actions "Music against Racism" and
"Youth against Racism" took place. The concert "Stretch
out a hand to other human beings" showed performances
by Polish, Tatar, Russian, Jewish, Lithuanian, Roma, Greek, Moldavian-Romanian
and Belarusian folk groups. Featuring also poetry reading and
film screening the setting provided an excellent opportunity
to get acquainted with the culture of minority groups in Lithuania.
Congratulation!
LUXEMBOURG: Diversity
In the framework of the 'European-wide Action Week 2007' "Comité
de Liaison et d'Action des Etrangers" (CLAE) organised a
festival to celebrate migration, culture and citizenship. "Improving
citizenship and giving it a human touch" explains a kind
of motto the annual event. Promoting folklore, special food and
drinks, even aspects of literature make this festival more than
a come-together. "It furnishes proof of our diversity and
richness", said one of the organisers. For many of the visitors
the phenomenon of migration including its consequences is part
of their biography. So topics like the right to stay or the current
political situation of course found their way into discussions.
In numbers : 15 000 visitors, 150 stands, 30 music-groups representing
cultural diversity, over 40 writers from more than four areas
of Europe and Africa. Four kitchen facilities offering delicacies
of Luxembourg, Italy, Portugal and the Cape Verde shared their
time, experience and place on this weekend in Spring. Nice!
MACEDONIA: Different
The "International
Day for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination"
provided the framework for the premiere of the theatre play "Through
the Time of Differences" in Kavadarci Macedonia. The
title of the drama, which was organised by the "Council
for Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency", already allows
thinking about its content: the differences between two cultures
'living' together in Macedonian community. It is a story of two
friends, one Macedonian and one Roma boy, who simply became close
friends. Presenting their life story from their first meeting
in the primary school, the performance leads the public through
different moments, expressing the mentality of both cultures.
The climax broaches the issue of the protagonists' challenge
in how to deal with discrimination matters like traditional neighborhood
prejudices and different family's priorities. At the same time,
"Through the Time of Differences" involves the audience
in the process of overcoming such mental forces by offering solution
strategies. "It's all about knowledge", could fit the
unspoken transmitted message.
MOLDOVA: How to define Racism?
In the frame work of
the annual 'European-wide Action Week Against Racism', "COTAARM"
organised the lecture "Racial Cold War" in a school
in Moldova. Target group were 3rd year students of the "Faculty
of International Relationships". Before the speech, "COTAARM"
asked them to explain their own definition of racism. Many different
answers were given: one girl associated it with fascism. One
young man defined racism as a superiority of one race above another.
To conclude the lecture, students had to fill in a questionnaire.
The challenge consist of expressing their own point of views
a chance to fix their opinion on the issue presented. Looking
into those feedbacks, special attention was given to the following
questions: "Give your definition of racism!","
Why is racism dangerous for a modern man?". To give an overview,
here are some of them: "Racism is a manifestation of vile
traits of man's being", "Racism is interior or external
manifestation of hostility to the people of another race",
"Racism is something inside the man, who likes to feel superiority
above others". The following quotations sound like a perfect
conclusion: "Racism throws man into arms of primitive state"
or "The increase of intensity of racists tendencies can
be dangerous because manifestation of racism can influence someone
who doesn't share it. Therefore it is very important to develop
and keep tolerance in people".
NETHERLANDS: Unity, Strength, Learning
by Doing
"Unity is Strenght" was the title of the Netherlands'
international award show located in Rotterdam. Organised by 'XS
4 All', the event is designed to celebrate the diversity of those
more than 160 different cultures and lifestyles living in the
Dutch seaport. Also this year, many artists agreed to assist
the show which happened in the framework of the 'European-wide
Action Week against Racsim'. Furthermore podium speeches about
challenges of multicultural societies, live music acts, film
screening and more amended the program ending smoothly in an
after drinks party.
Learning by doing
"All you hear in the media is the i-word, the 'i' of integration"
at least regarding to the "Marokkaanse Vereniging",
the "Turkse Stichting ter Bevordering Betrokkenheid Harderwijk"
and the social work organisation "Stichting Welzijn Op Maat".
This is the reason why this temporary triumvirate decided to
organise a remarkable event: "The IntegrationQuiz".
And the 'International Day for the Elimination of All Forms of
Racial Discrimination' was chosen as the date to demonstrate
how much the inhabitants of Harderwijk really know about Moroccans
and Turkish friends and vice versa, how much they know about
Dutch habits. Question: Would the average citizen of Harderwijk
pass the "inburgeringexamen" (the Dutch term for naturalisation)?
Emanating from those riddles the organisers were going to test
understanding and knowledge cultural backgrounds between people
living in Harderwijk. Over a hundred visitors from all walks
of life came together trying to give correct answers to the multiple
choice questions which were beamed up on a large screen. By using
their personal voting machines all participants could answer
directly. On stage prominent members of the Harderwijker society
publicly answered and reacted to the questions. It became a pleasant
evening with entertainment, short discussions and above all getting
to know one another. Besides diverse cultural acts and performances
completed the occasion.
POLAND: 2007 Action Week Outstanding!
Like in the recent
years, "Service Civil International Poland" (SCI) invested
again its effort to realise some activities for the 'European-wide
Action Week against Racism'. As a matter of fact, 'Action Week
2007' became special. Working for months on the preparation,
a selected group organised even before the 'Action Week' itself
an artistic contest for pupils of four local schools. The pupils
were asked to draw an illustration on the issue of racism, which
would later be used as SCI's official logo for the week.
On 13th of March, the youth exchange "ProColours - Education
and Diversity" was started. Twenty participants (Germans,
Italians, Greeks and Poles) arrived in Pozna to improve knowledge
through intercultural exchange.
The heavy point of the seminar marked informal education on racism.
That's why methodological workshops became part of the schedule
convincing the students that such workshops can be a great opportunity
for the process of learning. In an exercise called "Open
window", everybody had to choose two out of four listed
topics: minorities, human rights, Holocaust and refugees. After
that, participants created their own workshop scenarios and directly
realized them in the local school.
On 21st, the 'International Day of the Elimination of all forms
of racial discrimination', the whole "ProColours" team
visited high schools in Pozna to offer those workshops. In the
afternoon, street actions were organised aiming at presenting
the 'International Day' to as big as possible an audience.
On the old market square, a well-known place in the city centre,
a small but colorful and loud happening, a kind of happy demonstration,
was formed. By advertising slogans and singing songs, the attention
of passing people was caught. In another part of the city centre,
they were handing out flyers, giving candies with questions on
personal feelings about racism and pinning more than two hundred
of orange ribbons (the symbol of the struggle against racism).
The day finished with an international concert in a local jazz
club.
The youth exchange was closed with a movie-projection in the
Faculty of Social Science of the University, to watch the Bertram
Verhaag's film 'Blue eyed' which tries to uncover the mechanism
of how racism was born.
During the 'Action Week 2007', "The League for Education,
Culture and Sport" together with local partners planned
several activities in Romania. From March 17 to March 25, for
example, a photo exhibition picked discrimination out as a central
theme while a debate concentrated on "Running from Romania",
another workshop dealt with "Cultural Diversity and Antidiscrimination",
a further discussion centered on "Racism versus Antiracism",
"The star without Mihail Sebastian", a theatre play,
informed about antisemitism, followed by a movie projection.
Additionally, UNITED materials were disseminated all over town
in as many locations as possible. Not least through the effort
of promotion using radio, TV, internet, newspapers, magazines
(articles appeared even in national magazines) approximately
1000 people showed their interest in those events. Almost 200
of them joined directly the offerings. The success of the actions
is demonstrated by the fact that a group of 15 participants is
actually working on a follow-up project about antidiscrimination.
ROMANIA: "Don't put a Label
on someone you don't know!"
On the 21st of March,
"Miscarea Tinerilor pentru Pace Oradea" (MTP) organised
two workshops dealing with culture in its different forms. Both
of them were held in a local secondary school where the majority
of students are from Roma background. "Culture shock"
focused on how images of other people influence the interpretation
of their behaviour. By reflecting their individual perceptions
participants became aware of how a lack of awareness can finally
lead to the danger of stereotyping and prejudicing.
The second activity, a case study developed by the volunteers
of MTP, challenged the pupils by showing them different situations
and pictures where they had to decide if the concrete situation
is a racist one or not. A rousing group discussion where the
pupils were arguing and confronting each other with contradictive
opinions about their decisions was the result. The event aimed
to promote mutual understanding, respect and development of intercultural
relations, to inform the youngsters of Oradea about the prevention
of discrimination and racism in Romania and in Europe.
The activities targeted students from the age of 12 to 17 belonging
to Romanian, Roma or Hungarian minority groups. In total over
120 young beneficiaries from five different classes interacted
directly with the MTP-volunteers.
A friendly football match between the pupils followed the workshops.
This was also televised in the local television later on that
day as well as covered in the local news, too.
RUSSIA:
Premiere of UNITED Posters in Russian!
"Throughout the last few months in Russia the splash of
racist, homophobic and other statements in public places was
observed which was caused by anti-Georgian campaign, discussion
regarding the forthcoming Gay Pride march in Moscow, and the
growth in the information activity of nationalist movements.
It is a tendency to which it is not only necessary to pay attention
to, but also actively influence", resumed "Movement
Young Europe". From 17 March till 25 March, the "Youth
Network against Racism and Intolerance" with the support
of UNITED conducted the annual activity "Stop racism!".
Emphasizing the problem of using "hate speech", initiatives
took place in different areas of the country.
In the region of Naberezhnye Chelny (Republic of Tatarstan) a
number of activities summarised under the title "A Week
of Activities against Racism in Naberezhnye Chelny" promoted
diversity through film-projections, trainings, flash-mobs and
one concert.
In Rostov, activists from the charitable foundation "Youth
Human Rights Group" held the lesson "My World without
Enmity" in a high school on March 19. The basic purpose
consisted in opposing the propagation, multiplication and taking
root of the language of enmity and intolerance.
At the same time, the youth group for tolerance "ETnIKA"
conducted a series of consecutive actions directed to the preventive
maintenance of intolerance and xenophobia in Krasnodar.
On the 18th of March members of the "Youth Human Rights
Groups Voronezh" organised a public showing of "Academy
of Death", a movie about national patriotic schools in Nazi
Germany. The participants independently built assumptions; the
Komsomol movement in the USSR was remembered and the fact of
the occurrence of modern movements of similar types was reflected.
SERBIA:
Stand up for Equality!
As in the past years
"Women in Black" and "The Queeria Center"
organised an action at Belgrade's Republic Square to mark March
21. The slogan for this year's celebration was "EQUALITY!";
it demands that all people have equal access to information,
equal possibilities and equal life chances.
Both organisations raised attention on Serbia's problems concerning
racial intolerance. Visible consequences of racism are primarily
directed against members of the Roma community but also at members
of other ethnic, religious and marginalized groups who, because
of specific physical or cultural traits, are distinct from the
dominant society. "People with different skin colors experience
discrimination and violence daily in their surroundings. This
discrimination and violence is perpetuated by neighbors and fellow
citizens, as well as state institutions and representatives",
a speaker of "Women in Black" remarked.
The nationalist propaganda disseminated during the 1990s in Serbia
has numerous consequences even today; racism is only one of them.
With reference to this, an actual example is the brutal murder
of a young Roma man in Boljevci, a Belgrade suburb.
Statistics show that cases of racial discrimination are reported
on average of one every other day. "It is necessary that
our Assembly adopts a general antidiscrimination law and that
it recognizes and criminalizes hate crimes. It is necessary to
work on overcoming the systematic mechanisms of the former regime
whose influence makes it impossible to create democratic politics
and a cultural climate which includes equality for all citizens
of Serbia", "Women in Black" and "The Queeria
Center" claimed.
SPAIN:
Workshops for the Unwanted and Soccer against Racism
On the occasion of the 'European-wide Action Week Against Racism'
2007, "CEPA - Colectivo de Prevención e Inserción
Social Andalucia" installed a streetsoccer football field
to play an antiracist football tournament in Cádiz / Spain.
This event was accompanied by an CEPA info-stand which was used
to spread UNITED leaflets and posters as well as to promote other
antiracist materials. Furthermore members of the organization
delivered magazines and stickers to football fans before and
during a second league soccer match.
SWEDEN:
A lot to do
On March 21, a public conference was arranged by some representatives
of the City of Malmö, in cooperation with some NGOs such
as ABF (the Worker´s educational organization), ARF (Film
Against Racism), Antidiskrimineringsbyrån (organization
specialized in work against all discrimination) and representatives
from Malmö University and from the Association of local
authorities. About 200 people, students NGO-members and employees
from various positions in the public sector, joined the program.
The lectures, seminars and workshops focused on the mechanisms
behind racism and discrimination. Questions like "What do
we do to counteract and prevent racism?" invited the participants
to discuss attitudes towards immigration within the labour-unions
as well as common angles to young Islamic men or the history
of racism within Sweden. Last but not least, because of the high
involvement this year, a similar manifestation in 2008 is already
planned.
SWITZERLAND:
Speak up!
With "Prendre la Parole" ("Speak Up") and
within the 'All Different, All Equal Campaign' several organizations
e.g. "Ligue International Contre le Racisme et l'Antisémitisme"
(LICRA) and others realized a multifaceted programme in
the canton of Neuchatel. Goal of the festivity was to touch two
major cities of the region, namely Neuchatel and Chaux-de-Fonds
with the message of the 'Action Week Against Racism'. In the
middle of Neuchatel people from the kiosk-caravan "Stop
Racism" distributed info-leaflets to passengers using the
occasion to introduce them to an on walk discussion. Tents filled
the public square in which musical activities as well as theater
or dance-acts were performed. In the afternoon a public discussion
entitled "The Freedom of Expression and Actual Tendencies
of Racism" welcomed its guests in the University of Neuchatel.
In Chaux-de-Fonds the evening continued with a reflection on
how expressions and symbols are used, particularly in film-industry.
See the complete List
of Activities!
Up
Order the printed
version (with many pictures and press clippings) of the report
at:
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
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