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The World Conference Against Racism
As a new century begins, we believe each society needs to ask itself certain questions. Is it sufficiently inclusive? Is it non-discriminatory? Are its norms of behaviour based on the principles enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?
Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and all kinds of related intolerance have not gone away. We recognize that they persist in the new century and that their persistence is rooted in fear: fear of what is different, fear of the other, fear of the loss of personal security. And, while we recognize that human fear is itself ineradicable, we maintain that its consequences are not...
Extract from the Vision Declaration for the World Conference Against Racism
From 31 August - 7 September 2001, the United Nations held the World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance in Durban, South Africa. The conference, the third in a programme for action against racism since 1973, marked the International Year - and the Third Decade - for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
In 1997, the United Nations General Assembly decided to hold the world conference in response to international concern for the rise in the incidents of racism and related intolerance and in recognition of the challenges and opportunities which exist to combat this phenomena in an increasingly globalised world. The conference focused on five themes:
- Sources, causes, forms and contemporary manifestations of racism
- Victims of racism
- Measures of prevention, education and protection aimed at the eradication of racism at the national, regional and international levels
- Provision of effective remedies, recourse, redress and other measures at the national, regional and international levels
- Strategies to achieve full and effective equality, including international co-operation and enhancement of the United Nations and other international mechanisms in combating racism.
A number of meetings in preparation for the conference were held across the world. In Australia this included the Indigenous Peoples and Racism Conference held in Sydney, a national summit and youth summit and a series of regional public forums. The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission also accepted submissions online and in writing.
Senator Kay Patterson, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, led the Australian delegation to the world conference. Dr William Jonas AM, Race Discrimination Commissioner and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission of Australia also addressed the conference.
A Declaration and Programme of Action resulting from the conference was adopted on 8 September 2001. To view these documents, see http://www.un.org/WCAR/coverage.htm.
