September 7, 2001 saw the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, one of the most remarkable international agreement to address the problem of racism and racial discrimination. The enormous potential of the document was overshadowed by several events. The Palestine-Israel dispute, the withdrawal of several key western countries, including the United States and the occurrence of 9/11 which focused everyone’s attention toward terrorism.
After eight years we have the opportunity to recapture the potential of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. First, there is a Durban Review being conducted which has the potential of re-energizing the world’s collective effort to eliminate racial discrimination. Second, President Obama has repeatedly maintain that it is important to have all views at the table and to rely on negotiations to solve problems.
Given these circumstances, this is an opportunity to participate in revitalization of the international efforts to eliminate racial discrimination. This workshop will:
(1) provide an overview of the International Treaty on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination;
(2) review the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action from the World Conference Against Racism (WCAR) in 2001;
(3) provide an overview of current Durban Review activities with a focus on issues specific to”People of African Descent”;
(4) discuss how to get the United States government more involved in International human rights as it relates to racial discrimination; and,
(5) discuss how get African American organizations more involved in international human rights arena including participating the UN Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent.
This discussion is organized by Professor Vernellia Randall, The University of Dayton School of Law. It is free and it is conducted on Eastern Standard time. For more information, contact me at randall@udayton.edu.
Registration and additional information here.
–Vernellia Randall
