NNIRR Campaign to Organize for The World Conference against Racism, Xenophobia, and Other Intolerance

From the Borderline to the Colorline

The World Conference Against Racism provides a unique opportunity to spotlight the experience of immigrant communities confronting racism and xenophobia in the U.S. and to connect with groups from other countries working on similar issues.

The U.N. World Conference against Racism, Xenophobia, and Other Intolerance will be held August 31-September 7, 2001, in South Africa. (www.unhchr.ch) It will be preceded by the NGO (non-governmental organizations) Forum August 26-September 2, 2001. This will be an opportunity to unite local and national efforts to a growing international movement combating racism everywhere.

The National Network is mobilizing the U.S. immigrant rights/immigration advocacy community to participate in the World Conference against Racism, Xenophobia, and Other Intolerance (WCRX) and ensure that immigrant rights are addressed.

Together we can ensure that the World Conference's ensuing declaration of principles and global plan of action effectively acknowledges and works to eradicate all forms of racism, xenophobia, including anti-immigrant racism, so that equality, justice, and dignity cross all borders. How is NNIRR working to build a campaign around the World Conference Against Racism?

An International Perspective on Immigration

We are:

  • Convening an Immigrant Rights Working Group to develop shared analyses and activities for grassroots participation in the preparations and deliberations of the WCRX.
  • Working to ensure that immigrant voices and demands are part of the preparatory activities and deliberations of the WCRX. This will include language-accessible educational materials, trainings, and exciting local events and activities.
  • Cooperating with other U.S. and international organizations preparing for WCRX. (See for example: www.migrantwatch.org)
  • Monitoring UN and U.S. preparations, documents and other outcomes.
  • Preparing analyses and collectively reviewing and commenting on the preparations, with our Working Group partners and other allies, so that the WCRX includes immigrant rights as part of the worldwide and U.S. fight against racism.
  • Ensuring that interested organizations are informed of accreditation requirements and guidelines and can provide input into the WCRX preparations and deliberations.

With our Working Group partners, we are drafting alternate reports and input into U.S. government preparations, including organizing participation in preparatory activities such as the Americas meeting in Chile in December 2000, other national and international events, and WCRX-related activities.

Our campaign is linking with the international caucus of migrants' rights groups, recently formed at the initial preparatory commission meeting for the world conference. We will also work with organizations such as the International Human Rights Law Group (www.hrlawgroup.org) and a national NGO Coordinating Committee to facilitate participation in WCRX preparatory activities.

You can join our WCRX Campaign list serve/group chat, mailing list, or broadcast fax for the initiative by contacting the National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights at nnirr@nnirr.org; or call (510) 465-1984.