A Friendly Reminder
We published a similar tip in March 2006, and this annual event bears repeating. This Saturday, March 21 is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. On this date, in 1960, police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa, against the apartheid "pass laws". Proclaiming the Day in 1966, the United Nations General Assembly called on the international community to redouble efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination. Canada was one of the first countries to support this UN declaration by observing this day nationally since 1989. Since 1996, video competitions through Citizenship and Immigration Canada encourage youth to get involved in the campaign against racial discrimination.
You too can affect change on this issue - with colleagues, friends and family. Perhaps you are already challenging racism on a daily basis, perhaps you want to start. In honour of March 21, 2009, send us your commitments for eliminating racial discrimination.
Click for information on the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
Click for the 2009 winning youth video on or after March 24, 2009
UN Objectives for the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
* Encourage interaction of cultures and civilizations through education and awareness-raising, with a view to promoting mutual respect and acceptance
* Increase the level of public awareness and understanding of everyday racist attitudes or behaviours, both overt and covert which, convey disregard, disrespect and marginality
* Promote the importance of dialogue and mutual understanding among people as essential for wiping out everyday racism, for promoting mutual understanding, acceptance and peace
* Encourage the full and active participation of all stakeholders in the planning and implementation of anti-discrimination activities
Adapted from http://www.ohchr.org/
