UN World Conference Against Racism, Race Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance

Highlights of UN Conference Against Racism
The World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and other forms of Intolerance (WCAR) will include both the NGO (Non-Governmental) Forum (August 28-September 1) and the Official Conference (August 31-September 7).  It will focus on action-oriented and practical steps to eradicate racism, including measures of prevention, education and protection and the provision of effective remedies.  The World Conference represents a unique opportunity to create a new world vision for the fight against racism in the 21st Century.

The Conference culminates two years of meetings in countries and regions around the world with experts on racism, NGOs and governments to identify problems in their countries and propose strategies and solutions.

Highlights of the Conference include:

The NGO Forum from August 28-September 1 at the Kingsmead Cricket Stadium in Durban, a Non Governmental Organizations (NGO) event associated with the World Conference. Individuals and organizations have organized panel presentations, network sessions, caucus meetings to prepare lobby strategies and actions towards the official United Nations Conference and alternative media work to contribute to give grassroots people and activists a voice about their concerns and demands regarding the official document.

• A Youth Summit,  August 26-27 at the Kingsmead Cricket Stadium in Durban, organized by the WCAR Youth Secretariat & the Youth Task Team  (both from South Africa), and the International Youth Committee. Some 200 young adults (under 30 years of age), representing all geographical regions, will gathered to discuss issues of particular concern to them in the struggle against racism. They have drafted a Youth Statement and Plan of Action that will be presented at the NGO Forum and World Conference.

• WCAR Women’s Caucus, which was formed by more than 40 NGOs representing all world regions who participated in the First Preparatory Committee (PrepCom) of WCAR from May 1-5, 2000. The main goal of the caucus is to represent the interests of women and girls who are victims of racism and/or racial discrimination. The caucus has pushed hard for gender, age, class, sexual orientation, and economic status to be included in any analysis undertaken by WCAR.

Women’s Human Rights as Key Focus of Conference

WCAR 2001 will highlight a number of important women’s human rights
issues. Experience has shown that the following facts are key in any
discussion around women’s human rights concerns. Women already know
that:

• race and gender are not mutually exclusive forms of discrimination.
• multiple discriminations can occur when gender, class, race and
ethnicity intersect.
• minority, immigrant and indigenous women disproportionately face
racial and/or ethnic-based violence, sexual abuse/trafficking, and
limited or no employment opportunities.

• using information and communication technologies for lobbying and advocacy;
• strategic use of the Internet;
• basic Internet/e-mail training.

For more information about WCAR, go to the official UN website at: www.un.org

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