Brazil hosts innovative approaches to combat racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia at the Regional Conference of the Americas– Starts Today!

“I will never be satisfied until racial segregation disappears in America.” (Martin Luther King).

Martin Luther King’s statement expresses a universal ideal that transcends the dream of just one great Black leader. Governments and civil society groups speak out in favor of affirmative action policies and the creation of mechanisms that guarantee citizen involvement, not only for afrodescendents. For all civil rights movements, the combat against racism, xenophobia and any sort of intolerance are inter-related. In response to an appeal from civil society groups of 35 South American, North American and Caribbean countries, the Brazilian and Chilean governments, with support from the U.N. High Comissioner, have initiated the Regional Conference of the Americas on Successes and Challenges of the Action Plan against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Other Intolerance. Brasilia will host the international conference, from the 26th to the 28th of next July. The Special Secretariat for the Promotion of Policies for Racial Equality (SEPPIR/PR) expects 400 participants, including representatives of governments, civil society and other invitees. The official opening of the Regional Conference of the Americas will occur on July 26th, at 5 pm, in the Palácio do Planalto, in Brasilia. Minister Matilde Ribeiro, Secretary for the Promotion of Racial Equality and the Chilean embassador, Juan Martabit will preside over the Conference. The president of the Republican Federation of Brazil, Luís Inácio Lula da Silva, will make an official announcement. Besides the Palácio do Planalto, which will also host the Conference’s Opening Cocktail Reception, on July 26th at 8 pm, conference activities will take place at the Blue Tree Towers Hotel, also in Brasilia. During the three days of the international conference, the participants will join work groups in assemblies and small meetings. Government and civil society will evaluate public policies, with an emphasis on the exchange of effective practices that have been established since the Conference in Santiago, Chile in 2000, and are based on the agreements reached in the Third World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Other Intolerance, held in Durban, South Africa in 2001. Remember, there will be a limited number of spots for civil society participants. Members of the media can sign-up before Monday, July 24th through www.americascontraracismo.com.br. The website provides access to information on the official program, history of past conferences, where-to-stay, city tours and other services. http://portal.saude.gov.br/portal/se/datasus/area.cfm?id_area=738

http://www.americascontraracismo.com.br/english/index.cfm

http://www.americascontraracismo.com.br/english/index.cfm?url=noticias/noticias5.htm

KJ