UNITED NATIONS OFFICE AT GENEVA TO COMMEMORATE INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION

9 March 2006
To mark this year's observance of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has organized a series of events to draw attention to the continuing fight against all forms of racial discrimination. This year's observance, which carries the theme "Fighting Everyday Racism", will include an art exhibit and panel discussions taking place at the Palais des Nations throughout the week, leading up to the Day, observed each year on 21 March. Among other things, the events will focus on racism at the workplace and racism in school.

The schedule of events is as follows:


Wednesday,
15 March
18h00
Palais des Nations, gallery space on 3rd floor near Door 40
Inauguration of the exhibition "Moi raciste", series of works against racism prepared by young students of Swiss schools
Thursday, 16 March
13h00-15h00
Palais des Nations, Room XXI
Panel discussion
"Fighting everyday racism at the workplace"
Friday,
17 March
13h00-15h00
Palais des Nations, Room XXI
Panel discussion
"Voices-Experiences, Every Day Racism"
Monday,
20 March
13h00-15h00
Palais des Nations, room XXI
Panel discussion
"Fighting racism in school and through school"
Tuesday,
21 March
13h00-15h00
Palais des Nations, room XXI
High-level panel
"Fighting everyday racism"

The high-level panel on 21 March will include the participation of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Louise Arbour, who will open the event and deliver a keynote speech. The Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, Sergei Ordzhonikidze, will read out the message of the Secretary-General for the International Day. During the course of this event, the winners of a Geneva school competition on the theme "The Difference, what is that? Racism, exclusion, prejudices" will present their works, and the High Commissioner will present a special prize to the winners of the competition.

Further details on these events and on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination can be found at: http://www.ohchr.org/english/events/racism/

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