MINELRES: CfA: UNITED Conference in Belgrade, 4-9 November 2008
[email protected]
[email protected]
Tue Aug 19 09:54:43 2008
Original sender: UNITED <[email protected]>
**Deadline for nominations 5 September 2008**
UNITED E-NEWS 14/08/08:
UNITED CONFERENCE 4-9 November 2008 near Belgrade (RS)
"Europe under Construction: Imagine our Future without Hate!"
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
Contents of this E-news:
- Call for nomination
- Description and aims
- Program (draft)
- Technical Info
- Expression of interest e-form
************************************************
Dear colleagues and friends,
please find below the information and nomination form for our next
UNITED Conference,
"Europe under Construction: Imagine our Future without Hate!", 4-9
November 2008, near Belgrade (RS)
Conference prepared by:
* Afro-Asian Community of Moldova (MD)
* Association of Recognized Refugees in Cyprus (CY)
* Civic Assistance Committee Refugees & Forced Migrants (RUS)
* Ethnicity Research Center (RS)
* MTP Oradea (RO)
* QUEERIA Center (RS)
* Master on Immigration Programme University of Venice (I)
* UNITED for Intercultural Action
With the support of:
* European Youth Foundation of the Council of Europe
All information and the e-nomination form can be found below, and on our
website www.unitedagainstracism.org
If your organisation is interested to nominate a representative, please
return the expression of interest form (below) as soon as possible
(deadline 5 September 2008), preferably by email to
[email protected]
- Please fill in this form completely providing all data as requested.
If you invest more effort in the application it has more chance to be
successful!
- Each organisation can register only ONE representative (living in
Europe). Priority is given to participants under 30.
- Sending this form to UNITED does not guarantee that you will be
selected for the conference - we receive many nominations.
- Only those candidates selected for participation will be contacted via
e-mail � 15 September 2008.
Best wishes,
Geert Ates, Camelia Nistor
UNITED
**********************************************************************
UNITED CONFERENCE 4-9 November 2008 near Belgrade (RS) - CALL FOR
NOMINATIONS
DESCRIPTION AND AIMS:
* What is Europe today?
* Who are the Europeans?
* How does our part shape our future?
* Does history repeat?
Entire Europe has been facing great social, economic, political and
cultural changes in last few decades. Twenty years ago our continent was
still divided by an iron curtain in a Western and Eastern Block and it
was not commonly expected that this situation would ever change.
Moreover, 20 years ago there still existed a country in the Balkans
called Yugoslavia - and the war in the region wasn't expected either.
But it happened. Communism collapsed and Yugoslavia was dissolved.
Countries from Eastern Europe started a difficult transformation and
European integration process, facing different challenges at all levels
of society. Passing through major changes and leaving the past behind is
a difficult process.
Meanwhile, Western Europe is also changing. Immigrants are searching for
jobs and better life, refugees, IDP's and asylum seekers from many
countries are looking for a safe place in Europe to live a decent life.
Their languages, cultures, customs and religions are making Europe more
diverse and colourful. There is diversity, but is there unity as well?
There are a lot of stereotypes, xenophobia, intolerance and
discrimination. New forms of racism are appearing targeting new groups
that must be protected.
There are great challenges in front of all of us. Europe is an old
continent with a past full of conflict, still in the process to define
its identity and shape its future. The aim of the conference is to
strengthen the anti-racist movement in Europe, particularly in the
Balkans, and to promote solidarity among civil society organisations.
The conference will bring together around 70 NGO participants from
different social, national, religious or other minority background, and
offers the possibility to share visions of European past, present and
future in working groups, strategy building workshops, presentations,
political cafes, panel discussions, intercultural activities and many
other occassions.
The main themes of the conference are structured in the following
working groups:
* No way In, No way Out! Refugees, IDP's and Asylum Seekers.
Legislation and different practices in Europe regarding migration
conditions, asylum policy, detention and Internally Displaced Persons.
* Who shall we blame now? Inequality and vulnerable groups
Weak points of European governmental policy, vulnerable groups and
phenomena affecting them: criminalisation, trafficking and exploitation.
* Sociophobia! Creating our Enemies, Facing our Fears.
The role of prejudices and stereotypes about minority groups in social
segregation and discriminative political discourse.
* The Dead End of Dialogue! Radicalism and Tools of Propaganda.
The impact of radical propaganda on public opinion and colors of
extremism.
* Accept your Past, Build your Future! Post-conflict Solidarity,
Responsibility and Reconciliation
Learning the lessons from the past and taking the responsibility for the
future we want.
* Do you believe it? New Faces of Racism, New Target Groups of Racism.
New faces of racism appear as history is repeating itself, this time
targeting different groups of people in Europe.
UNITED is the largest pan-European anti-racist network of more than 560
organisations.
Through its conferences anti-racist and human rights activists from all
parts of Europe meet and discuss effective ways of combating racism and
discrimination. At a recent UNITED conference held in May 2008 in
Stockholm more than 65 delegates representing organisations from 30
European countries analysed the current situation of people affected by
discrimination in Europe and developed common strategies to improve
cooperation and promote tolerance.
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PROGRAM (draft)
TUESDAY 4 NOVEMBER
Arrival of participants in Belgrade - bus transport to the venue
16.00 - GET DOCUMENTED! - Registration of participants
20.00 - "Breaking the Blocks", Informal opening reception
WEDNESDAY 5 NOVEMBER
09.30-11.00
Welcome
What is UNITED?
Presentation of co-organizer: QUEERIA Center (RS)
Program/team/technicalities
Personal introductions of participants
11.15-12.30 Discussion groups "The Danger of Words"
Definitions and concepts most used in anti-racist/anti-discrimination
work
14.30-16.00 SERBIA IN FOCUS
* Post-communism and structural changes in Serbia
* Serbia today: post-war situation - Presentations and questions -
16.15-18.00 Thematic Working Groups - Introduction of key issues -
A. No way In, No way Out! Refugees, IDP's and Asylum Seekers
B. Who shall we blame now? Inequality and vulnerable groups.
C. Sociophobia! Creating the Enemy, Facing our Fears!
D. The Dead end of Dialogue! Radicalism & Tools of Propaganda.
E. Accept your Past, Build your Future! Post-conflict, solidarity,
responsibility & reconciliation.
F. Do you believe it? New Faces of Racism! New target groups of Racism!
20.30 Info Market: Present your Organisation - with the participation of
local NGOs -
21.30 International Snacks
THURSDAY 6 NOVEMBER
09.30-11.00 LOOK DEEPER - Religion and fundamentalisms - Panel
discussion
11.15-12.30 Continuation of the Thematic Working Groups - sharing
practices -
14.30-16.00 RECIPES FOR ACTION
Working with segregated youth through sports - an example from Bosnia
Monitoring hate speech on internet - an example from Western Europe
16.15-18.00 Continuation of the Thematic Working Groups - sharing
practices -
18.00-18.30 GET ACTIVE! - Short presentation of UNITED campaigns
(plenary):
21 March - European Action Week Against Racism
9 November - International Day Against Fascism and Antisemitism
20 June - International Refugee Day / Fortress Europe - No More Deaths
21.00 Political Cafe & Movie - The role of church in wars
FRIDAY 7 NOVEMBER
09.30-11.00 Continuation of the Thematic Working Groups - developing
strategies -
11.15-12.45 Presentation of the results of the Thematic Working Groups
15:30 - 16.30 (Optional) Guided tour in Belgrade
*Walking tour through the Bohemian area
* Street action in Belgrade within 9/11 Campaign - International Day
against Fascism and Antisemitism
16.30 - 20.00 Free time in Belgrade
20.00 - 22.30 Dinner on a boat in Belgrade
SATURDAY 8 NOVEMBER
09.30-10.30 POLLING THE VOTES - Monitoring hate speech in political
Discourse - ODIHR - OSCE (PL)
- Workshop and discussion -
10:45-12:30 GET ACTIVE! - Campaign Working Groups
1. 21/3 - Action Week Against Racism
2. 20/6 - International Refugee Day / Fortress Europe - No More Deaths
3. 9/11 - International Day Against Fascism and Antisemitism
4. Organise an activity in public space
5. How to recognize/deal with racist graffiti
6. Stay Visible! Involve Media in your activities
14:30-15:45 RECIPES FOR ACTION - project presentations
* Tackling homophobia in public space - an example from Serbia
* Teaching about tolerance in schools - an example from Germany
16:00-17:00 GET ACTIVE! - Presentation of results of the Campaign
Working Groups
17:00-17:30 Open Forum - contributions of participants
17:30-18:30 Evaluation of the conference & Official closing of the
conference
20.30 Intercultural Evening & Farewell Party with Balkan music
SUNDAY 9 NOVEMBER - Departure of participants (bus to Belgrade)
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TECHNICAL INFO:
Working methods
.. plenary sessions, working groups, lectures, political cafes,
presentations, debates, intercultural 'games', information market,
cultural activities, open forum.
Participants:
The conference is planned for � 70 participants (living in Europe) who
represent (inter) national anti-racist, anti-fascist, refugee, human
rights and minority rights organisations. Active grass-roots groups from
all over Europe are also invited. Participation is rotated from one
conference to another. Priority will be given to nominations from young
delegates (under 30 years old) with a minority background. Preference is
given to those organisations that actively take part in UNITED
campaigns. Participants should act as multipliers, spreading the
information to as many people as possible. We will try to reach an equal
balance of female/male participants and a good geographical
distribution. Each organisation can nominate only ONE delegate.
Language:
The conference language is English. All participants are expected to
have at least basic knowledge of English. But don't worry, English is
almost nobody's mother tongue. If you have difficulties in expressing
yourself, surely we can help each other.
Financial conditions: Participation fee - travel costs
The participation fee of the conference is:
120 Euro for participants from: A, B, CH, CY, D, DK, E, F, FL, FIN, GB,
GR, I, IS, IRL, L, M, N, NL, P, S
70 Euro for participants from: BG, BH, CZ, EE, H, HR, LV, LT, MK, MNE,
PL, RO, SI, SK, TR, XZ
40 Euro for participants from: AL, ARM, AZ, BY, GE, KZ, KY, MD, RS, RUS,
UA, UZB
Full board & lodging and the complete program is included.
Organisations that paid their 2008 supporter fee to the UNITED Network
will receive a 50% reduction of the participation fee. For explanations
about how to become a supporter see
www.unitedagainstracism.org/pages/supportcard.htm
Contribution to international travel costs
Participants travelling from the countries: A, B, CH, CY, D, DK, E, F,
FIN, GB, GR, I, IS, IRL, L, M, N, NL, P, S
UNITED can contribute maximum 75% to your travel costs, not more than
250 Euro.
Participants travelling from the countries: AL, BG, BH, CZ, EE, H, HR,
LV, LT, MK, MNE, PL, RO, SI, SK, TR, XZ
UNITED can contribute maximum 90% to your travel costs, not more than
350 Euro.
Participants travelling from the countries: ARM, AZ, BY, GE, KZ, KY, MD,
RUS, UA, UZB
UNITED can contribute maximum 90% to your travel costs, not more than
400 Euro.
Participants travelling from the countries: RS
UNITED can contribute maximum 75% to your travel costs, not more than 50
Euro.
Please look for the cheapest and most environmentally friendly
possibility to travel. We strongly encourage you to travel by train,
bus, boat or other cheaper means of transport to Belgrade. In order to
be eligible for a contribution to your travel costs you will be expected
to attend the whole meeting and to prove your travel expenses providing
an original invoice and the original tickets to UNITED.
The cost of your visa can be reimbursed by UNITED on the base of an
original invoice from the Embassy.
UNITED conferences can only take place when participants make an effort
to contribute financially to their travel costs. We ask you to find out
if there are alternative possibilities of funding. Sometimes it is
possible to find small local grants (e.g. a travel grant from a
foundation, a university, an embassy or another sponsor). We would very
much appreciate your help. Since we have limited sponsored places,
delegates that can cover (part of) their own travel costs have a higher
chance to be selected.
Date and place
The conference will take place in a youth hostel near Belgrade. You will
share a room with 2-3 other people.
A bus will bring the participants from Belgrade to the venue on Tuesday
afternoon 4 November 2008.
Your arrival in Belgrade should be scheduled Tuesday morning.
A bus will bring you back to Belgrade on Sunday morning 9 November 2008
- your international departure should be scheduled Sunday afternoon.
If you wish to arrive earlier or stay longer in Belgrade (at your own
costs), we can help you arrange your stay.
Further information
Please, note that sending the expression of interest form does not
guarantee your participation in the conference.
Only those candidates selected for participation (this will be known mid
September will be contacted, they will receive further information e.g.
visa invitation, explanation 'how to get there', a final program, list
of participants, etc.
Feel free to contact us by email after 18th of September to get
information about your nomination.
Application procedure:
Organisations interested in nominating a delegate should send their
nomination (Expression of Interest form below) by email
before the deadline of Friday 5 September 2008
to [email protected]
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EXPRESSION OF INTEREST:
UNITED conference: Europe under Construction: Imagine our Future without
Hate!
4-8 November 2008 in Belgrade (RS)
Name organisation:
Name organisation in English:
Abbreviation name organisation:
Organisation's address:
street:
postal code:
city:
country:
Phone organisation:
Mobile phone organisation:
Fax organisation:
E-mail organisation:
Website organisation:
First name delegate:
Family name delegate:
Date of birth:
Male: Female:
Private e-mail delegate:
E-mail address to send conference documents:
Personal phone/mobile where you can be reached in emergencies:
phone:
mobile phone:
Special needs (vegetarian, no pork, allergies, disabilities etc.):
Do you consider yourself to be part of a minority?
No:
Yes: (please, specify)
Motivation and aims for participating:
Please describe the work you are doing and the specific projects you
have been involved in:
Describe your skills (eg. leading a working group, reporting):
What languages can you work with?:
Indicate the field(s) of your activity:
put a cross before the relevant field(s)
[ ] Anti-nationalism
[ ] Anti-racism
[ ] Anti-fascism
[ ] Migrant / minority rights
[ ] Refugee support
[ ] Human rights
[ ] Youth work
[ ] Roma issues
[ ] General Discrimination
[ ] Other:
Which working group would you like to attend?
Indicate clearly two priorities, put '1' and '2' before the relevant
working groups
[ ] A - No way In, No way Out! Refugees, IDP's and Asylum Seekers
[ ] B - Who shall we blame now? Inequality and vulnerable groups.
[ ] C - Sociophobia! Creating the Enemy, Facing our Fears!
[ ] D - The Dead end of Dialogue! Radicalism & Tools of Propaganda.
[ ] E - Accept your Past, Build your Future! Post-conflict, solidarity,
responsibility & reconciliation.
[ ] F - Do you believe it? New Faces of Racism! New target groups of
Racism!
Please explain your choice and describe in which way you could
contribute to these 2 working groups:
Have you personally experienced racism and/or discrimination?
No:
Yes: (please, specify)
How will you share the experience of the conference after your return in
your organisation, community, country?
Would you need financial support from UNITED for your travel costs?
No, my organisation/ I will cover my travel costs:
Yes: (If yes, why and how much?)
(Before answering this question please read 'contribution to travel
costs' under technical information, a higher contribution from your
organisation is appreciated)
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For those who will need a visa:
Private address of the delegate
street:
postal code:
city:
country:
Place of birth:
Country of birth:
Citizenship:
Number of passport:
Passport valid until:
Serbian embassy where you will get your visa:
Fax, phone of Serbian embassy where you will get your visa:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------
Please send this form as soon as possible by e-mail to:
[email protected]. Deadline 5 September 2008
Only those candidates selected for participation will be contacted via
e-mail � September 15, 2008.
***********************************************************
We depend on YOUR help in 2008!
UNITED is not rich and has no stable income!
Though far most of the work at the UNITED secretariat is done voluntary
- still money is needed to keep the network functioning in 2008 and to
secure the cooperation and information flow throughout Europe.
Your donation is most welcome:
- in cash to UNITED Postbus 413 NL-1000 AK Amsterdam
- by bank (preferable) to:
UNITED, Postbus 413 NL-1000 AK Amsterdam
Account: IBAN NL77PSTB0002343715, BIC: PSTB NL2A - Bank: Postbank,
Postbus 1800, NL-1000 BV Amsterdam
(From NL: postbank 2343715)
***********************************************************
UNITED is the pan-European network against nationalism, racism, fascism
and in support of migrants and refugees, supported by over 560
organisations in 46 European countries.
How to join the network: see http://www.unitedagainstracism.org 'joining
the network'
UNITED E-NEWS is an irregular email service to over 9000 organisations
and contact persons active in the working fields: anti-racism, refugee
support, anti-fascism, against antisemitism, migration, minority issues,
intercultural youth work, against nationalism etc.
Regular postal mailings, containing publications such as Addressbook
Against Racism, Calendar of Internationalism, Campaign reports, Posters
etc. are sent to over 2400 European organisations. If you also would
like to receive this mailing: see http://www.unitedagainstracism.org
'joining the network'
----
UNITED for Intercultural Action
European network against nationalism, racism, fascism and in support of
migrants and refugees
Postbus 413 - NL 1000 AK Amsterdam - phone +31-20-6834778 - fax
+31-20-6834582 - [email protected] -
http://www.unitedagainstracism.org
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