“No country is free of racism.” That warning from US youth activist Marley Dias set the tone on Monday as UN Member States reinvigorated global efforts against racism, discrimination and xenophobia with a new declaration.
The new declaration will be submitted for formal adoption at the General Assembly. Adopted in South Africa in 2001, the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action is a blueprint for stamping out racism, discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. From a rise in racist speech, to calls for reparations for colonialism and slavery, delegates lauded progress so far – but underscored the work ahead
During the meeting, Ms. Dias, founder of #1000BlackGirlBooks, urged States to confront the enduring legacies of slavery, colonialism and discrimination, emphasising many young people have never been taught the histories that shaped the institutions and societies they inherited.
Recalling that she launched #1000BlackGirlBooks when she was 11 – because she could not find girls like herself in books at school – she underscored the power of representation and education.
Further, youth must be central to full implementation of the Durban Declaration, she said, including through accurate and accessible digital educational materials.
“Let’s write a new chapter together,” she said.
by UN News – UN leaders renew push to defeat racism, 25 years after Durban
