Alberta Human Rights Information Service March 19, 2010

March 21 is International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

Albertans will join communities across the world to observe International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on March 21.

The United Nations designated this day in memory of anti-apartheid demonstrators killed in Sharpeville, South Africa in 1960. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Sharpeville massacre. In proclaiming the day in 1966, the United Nations called on the international community to increase its efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination and to focus on building race relations.

Read the Government of Alberta information bulletin for further information about the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Community events

Albertans are invited to participate in the many events organized across the province to mark this significant day. Workshops, presentations, competitions and other activities will help Albertans recognize the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and identify the role they can play in tackling racism in their communities. Read more about March 21, and link to a list of community events commemorating the day in northern Alberta and southern Alberta, including events supported by the Alberta Human Rights Commission and the Human Rights Education and Multiculturalism Fund.

Community leaders will gather to build strategies to combat racism

  • The Courage to Stand Together Against Racism, Community Forum, Calgary
    On March 22, the Commission will join the Calgary Police Service, government officials, academics and community members to build a comprehensive strategy to combat hate in Calgary. The forum will build on the "Responding to Hate Crimes and Groups" community forum held in April 2009. The 2009 forum, which included 60 organizational representatives, community members and presenters, assisted in gathering preliminary information and input related to responding to hate in Calgary. The upcoming forum is supported by the Commission, the Human Rights Education and Multiculturalism Fund, the Calgary Centre for Culture, Equity and Diversity, and the Calgary Jewish Community Council. Contact Cam.Stewart@gov.ab.ca for more information.

  • Racism Free Edmonton, Action Planning Summit, Edmonton
    Racism Free Edmonton (RFE) will host an Action Planning Summit on March 22 for community leaders and stakeholders combating racism in the community. The summit is designed to address the interests of institutional leaders who are concerned about the impacts of racism and racialization, and are in a position to lead action within their organizations to become more inclusive of racialized populations. It will provide an opportunity to identify best practices, discuss strategic approaches, and reflect on the role of institutional leadership in addressing racism in individual organizations.

    RFE is a multi-agency network committed to eliminating racism in Edmonton, and the Commission is a member. RFE is supported by funding from the Human Rights Education and Multiculturalism Fund and Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Contact Nicholas.Ameyaw@gov.ab.ca for more information.

Canada's increasing diversity

A report recently released by Statistics Canada predicts that by 2031, one in three Canadians will belong to a visible minority. One in four will be foreign-born, the highest proportion since the end of the last wave of mass immigration that began around 1910. In Calgary, the percentage of visible minorities is expected to reach 38% by 2031. The percentage of visible minorities in Edmonton is projected to be 29% by 2031. Read the full report.

This increasing diversity will bring significant benefits to all fabrics of Canadian and Alberta society. However, these projections also remind us of the extreme importance of continuing to build race relations and combat racism and discrimination in our communities.
The Commission, in partnership with other organizations, businesses and government, continues to work hard in support of its two-fold mandate: to foster equality and reduce discrimination. Read more about the Commission's educational and community work towards these goals.

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