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| | Message of the Director-General of UNESCO on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination - 21 March 2003
21-03-2003 - The twenty-first of March, International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, is one of the oldest international days observed by the United Nations. It was proclaimed in 1966 following a tragic event which profoundly shocked the world’s conscience: the massacre by the South African racist regime of schoolchildren demonstrating against the laws of apartheid, an abject system which institutionalized racism and discrimination in outright defiance of all the moral and ethical progress achieved by humanity. |
Despite the dismantling of apartheid in South Africa and the end of segregationist policies in other countries, racism and discrimination have not, alas, disappeared. Millions of men and women still suffer, and even die, because of their colour, ethnic origin, religion or social status.
On top of this, new forms of discrimination – associated with scientific advances and the phenomenon of globalization – are threatening gains that we once thought to be irreversible.
It was in response to such threats that the international community decided to convene in 2001 in Durban, South Africa, the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance.
Representing the third major conference on racism, following those of 1978 and 1983, the World Conference also fell within the Third United Nations Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination, which will end in 2004.
The Durban Conference provided a forum for the examination of questions crucial not only to the protection of fundamental human rights but also to understanding, coexistence and harmony among individuals and peoples. At the Conference racism was, for the first time, recognized as a scourge affecting all societies, without exception, and as a source of conflict with far-reaching and often uncontrollable consequences. The Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, adopted by consensus, offers States, international organizations and forces in civil society fresh outlooks for renewing their commitment to combating racism and other forms of discrimination.
On that occasion the long struggle that UNESCO has been waging against these evils was unanimously hailed. In response to the specific recommendations made to us, we decided to elaborate a new strategy with a view to reinforcing UNESCO’s action in this domain.
To maintain the momentum of the Durban process and broaden public awareness of its results, we are planning to celebrate the International Day of 21 March 2003 in a very special way. This year, several important events (young people’s workshops, film screenings, meetings with people working to counter racism, debates, shows) will take place at UNESCO Headquarters throughout the day.
I invite all those who can to participate in this celebration in order to exchange experiences and express support for victims everywhere of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and intolerance.
It is by joining together in an unrelenting endeavour on all fronts that we can withstand what begins in people’s minds and thrives on economic uncertainty, social exclusion and deprivation of hope.
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Office of the Spokeswoman
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