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Exhibition Musée de l'Homme - International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination 2017

Message from Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO

Racial discrimination is a poison that diminishes individuals and societies, perpetuates inequality and feeds anger, bitterness and violence ...

The fight against racism and all forms of discrimination is a mainstay of peace and social cohesion, especially in our increasingly diverse societies. On the occasion of International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, UNESCO calls on all its Member States and partners to step up their efforts to build a more inclusive, more giving and fairer world.

  The more we respect others, the more we respect ourselves.  

Irina Bokova
UNESCO Director-General

One of the strongest bastions against racial discrimination is formed by education, awareness of the inanity of racial pseudo-theories, and knowledge of crimes committed in the name of such prejudices throughout history. In this spirit, UNESCO works with teachers, museums and publishers to try to combat stereotypes that stigmatize individuals and peoples because of the colour of their skin, their origin or their affiliation. For it is not enough to acknowledge the damaging effects of racism – we also need the tools and instincts to fight it and condemn it wherever it occurs, in whatever form, from petty, everyday humiliation to aggravated violence.

This fight starts in the mind of each of us, and must be conveyed in every way possible. For instance, UNESCO and the Musée de l’Homme are organizing an exhibition to be held in Paris from March on the theme of “Us and Them - From Prejudice to Racism”. Together with the mayors and other urban stakeholders in the International Coalition of Inclusive and Sustainable Cities (ICCAR), UNESCO is committed to developing policies in favour of urban inclusion, non-discrimination and diversity. In partnership with the Marianna V. Vardinoyannis Foundation and the European Coalition of Cities against Racism, UNESCO has in particular launched the initiative “Welcoming cities for refugees” with a view to supporting local authorities in their reception policies. Sport is also a powerful lever for inclusion and that is why UNESCO is waging a campaign with Juventus FC, Radio PRISA and the Santillana Foundation to combat racism in football, through the campaigns “#what colour?” “Sin respeto no hay juego” and “#Together4InclusiveSport” with the Tolerance Center in Moscow.

At a time of economic crisis and social uncertainty, “the other” is always a convenient scapegoat, and racial discrimination a dangerous temptation that manufacturers of hatred know all too well how to exploit. Faced with the increase in acts and the growing acceptance of statements that encourage racism and hatred of others, UNESCO calls for citizens to react, to pass on the values of solidarity, empathy and altruism.

In a world of diversity, understanding and respect of others constitute the only possible path. Building walls to keep other people out often means keeping ourselves shut in. Our diversity is a strength: let us learn how to draw on it for the resources of inventiveness, creativity and peace. The more we respect others, the more we respect ourselves.

Download the message in PDF format
English ǀ Français ǀ Español ǀ Русский ǀ العربية ǀ 中文

 

Inclusive and Sustainable Cities

The International Coalition of Inclusive and Sustainable Cities − ICCAR is an initiative launched by UNESCO in March 2004 to establish a network of cities interested in sharing experiences in order to improve their policies to fight racism, discrimination, xenophobia and exclusion.

More information on the Coalition

International Decade for People of African Descent 2015-2024


Exhibition – Us and Them

 

 

 

   Exhibition
   Us and Them
   From Prejudice to Racism



   under the patronage of UNESCO

   Musée de l'Homme
   Paris, France

   31 March 2017 to 8 January 2018

Exhibition "Us and Everyone Else – From Prejudice to Racism"


Colour? What colour? Report on the fight against discrimination and racism in football


 

   Cities welcoming refugees and migrants

   Enhancing effective
   urban governance
   in an age of migration


   Inclusive and Sustainable CITIES series
   

Canadian Commission for UNESCO

Today is International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination! Wear RED and share your own commitment with @CCUNESCO_Canada on Twitter using #ItStartsWithMe

Canadian Commission for UNESCO