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Fight against Racism, Discrimination and Xenophobia  
Fight against Racism, Discrimination and Xenophobia
UNESCO contributes to the fight against racism and discrimination through research, normative instruments and operational programmes and projects.
New forms of discrimination have arisen, in association with certain scientific developments and the process of globalization. As a result of these new threats and the outbreak of violent inter-ethnic conflicts in many parts of the world in recent years, the international community decided to convene in 2001 in Durban, South Africa, the World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance. In close collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), UNESCO participated actively in the Durban Conference, which was undoubtedly the high point of the Third United Nations Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination, which ended in 2003.

In order to respond to the challenges emerging in modern societies, UNESCO has adopted in October 2003 a new Integrated Strategy to Combat Racism, Discrimination, Xenophobia and Intolerance (32C/13). In order to develop this strategy, UNESCO undertook a series of studies on different aspects and forms of racism, xenophobia and discrimination. A series of consultations in different regions in the world were also organized to discuss the regional specificities and priorities to be taken into account.

The following themes and domains were indentified as priority:
  • Development of scientific research and reflection on the phenomena of racism, discrimination and xenophobia;
  • Revision and/or revitalization of UNESCO's instruments dealing with racism and discrimination;
  • Development of new educational approaches, elaboration of teaching materials and establishment of indicators;
  • Mobilization of opinion leaders and political decision-makers against racism and discrimination;
  • Preservation of diversity in multi-ethnic and multicultural societies;
  • Combating racist propaganda in media especially in cyberspace.
See also
UNESCO's past strategies and action

Photo: Lycée Zéhrié in Lebanon. Children participating in an exercise teaching dialogue, tolerance and peace. © UNESCO/Aspnet/B. Jamalelddine
    News


  Third General Conference of the European Coalition of Cities against Racism   Third General Conference of the European Coalition of Cities against Racism
27-09-2009 (UNESCO) - From 19 to 20 November 2009, the European Coalition of Cities against Racism (ECCAR) will organize its third annual conference in Toulouse (France) under the theme: “Cities against Racism: New Challenges - New Partnerships: Shaping our Future”.  More...

 

  Cities against Racism: Extending the European Coalition to Eastern Europe   Cities against Racism: Extending the European Coalition to Eastern Europe
11-05-2009 (UNESCO) - The Steering Committee of the European Coalition of Cities against Racism (ECCAR) met in Saint Petersburg (Russian Federation) from 14 to 16 May 2009 to prepare the third General Conference of the Coalition and to reflect on the extension of this regional network to Eastern Europe.  More...

 

  First Conference of the Coalition of African Cities against Racism and Discrimination in Durban   First Conference of the Coalition of African Cities against Racism and Discrimination in Durban
17-03-2009 (UNESCO) - From 26 to 27 March 2009, the city of Durban (South Africa) held the first sub-regional conference of the Coalition of African Cities against Racism and Discrimination. The Coalition was launched in September 2006, in Nairobi (Kenya), at the 4th Africities Summit.  More...

 

  Fight against racism in sport: young people presented strategies to European Parliament   Fight against racism in sport: young people presented strategies to European Parliament
05-11-2008 (UNESCOPRESS) - How can we fight racism and discrimination in stadiums and on playing fields? What action can municipalities take to combat this plague? On 6 November, five young representatives of three European cities (Botkyrka, Erlangen, Nuremberg) affiliated with the European Coalition of Cities against Racism (ECCAR) visited the European Parliament in Brussels and presented a set of recommendations for preventing and responding to racist behaviour in amateur and professional sports.  More...

 

  Fight against racism and discrimination in the Arab States: Municipalities create a coalition under the auspices of UNESCO   Fight against racism and discrimination in the Arab States: Municipalities create a coalition under the auspices of UNESCO
24-06-2008 (UNESCO) - After the coalitions of cities against racism created in Europe, Africa, Latin America and the Asia-Pacific region, several municipalities in the Arab world (Casablanca, Doha, Essaouira, Cairo, Nouakchott, Rabat, Tangiers) have also decided to build a network to combat racism, discrimination, xenophobia and intolerance.  More...

 




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 UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence
The UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence rewards significant activities in the scientific, artistic, cultural or communication fields aimed at the promotion of a spirit of tolerance and non-violence.

 "Youth Voices against Racism": Mobilisation of Youth to Fight Racism in Sport