MINELRES: UNITED: 15 - 23 March 2008: European-wide Action Week Against Racism

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Original sender: UNITED for Intercultural Action
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UNITED E-NEWS 19/03/2008:
MEDIA RELEASE

15 - 23 March 2008: European-wide Action Week Against Racism
"Colour Your Picture"

**Colour Your Picture: Stop Racism, Value Diversity, Promote
Solidarity!**
Racism, discrimination and intolerance are rising all around Europe
today, while the constant threat that migrants and minorities are facing
is often trivialised or ignored by the political authorities. In 21st
century there are still people suffering because they look, feel, act or
believe "differently". 
But what does "differently" mean? The slogan "Colour Your Picture"
invites us to leave behind our habitual ways to watch our surrounding
and the people we meet, not to judge about them according to stereotypes
and our idea of "differentness", but to broaden our horizon and see the
diversity of Europe as enrichment for our life and society. Briefly, the
slogan invites us to shift from thinking black and white to seeing the
colours of our society. 

**Europe Allies Against Racism**
Every year on the occasion of the European-wide Action Week Against
Racism around 21 March, people all around Europe get together promoting
diversity, solidarity, equality and tolerance. In 2007, the Action Week
celebrated its 15th birthday with activities in 44 countries, involving
more than 150.000 people all around Europe in the fight against racism,
discrimination, intolerance and exclusion.
Again this year, from 15 to 23 March, various
non-governmental-organisations in more than 42 European countries will
raise together their voice against one common threat: racism.

**Historical Meaning of the Date - The Massacre in Sharpeville**
21 March was declared 'International Day for the Elimination of All
Forms of Racial Discrimination' by the General Assembly of the United
Nations. This was a reaction to the brutal murder of 69 peaceful
anti-Apartheid demonstrators in Sharpeville, South Africa, on 21 March
1960. This day, police opened fire on a non-violent manifestation
consisting of thousands of people chanting freedom songs. Most of the
victims were shot in the back while fleeing to save their lives. No
member of police was ever charged for the massacre.

**Various Activities all over Europe**
To fight against racism and discrimination, people and organisations all
around Europe joined the European-wide Action Week Against Racism 2008
and have become active by organising a lot of different events such as
conferences, demonstrations, festivals, workshops and much more.
In Belgium, the Movement Against Racism, Antisemitism and Xenophobia
coordinates a huge nation-wide campaign stimulating NGOs, youth centres,
cinemas, museums and other organisations all across the country to
engage themselves for tolerance and equal rights. In Lithuania and
Ireland, activists will raise awareness on racism and discrimination by
broadcasting video clips in the public transports. In Athens, more than
40 organisations work together to organise a big anti-racist concert.
Students in Hungary and Finland organise awareness-raising campaigns in
their universities; Spanish activists show anti-racist banners during a
football match to promote diversity and tolerance in sports. To
strengthen the anti-racism network at international level, the Youth
Network Against Racism and Intolerance from Russia organises an
international awareness raising campaign to protest against racism in
several countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). 

These are some examples of a variety of activities and organisations in
different European countries that already joined in this year's
European-wide Action Week. The full 'List of Activities' is available on
http://www.unitedagainstracism.org (under 'campaigns'/ 21 March).

**Additional Information**
UNITED for Intercultural Action is a network of more than 560
organisations all over Europe working against nationalism, racism,
fascism and in support of migrants and refugees. Every year, the UNITED
International Secretariat coordinates three big European-wide campaigns.
Different organisations in all European countries carry out activities
at the local level in the international framework of these campaigns.
The UNITED office supports them in different ways, e.g. by providing
them with free campaign material or contact dates of other organisations
in the same country or working field.

In case of any questions please contact the UNITED office. We will be
happy to provide you with any further information about the current
campaign and contact dates of involved organisations.


***********************************************************
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 - info@unitedagainstracism.org -
http://www.unitedagainstracism.org


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