fight against racism

UNESCO contributes to the fight against racism and discrimination through research, normative instruments and operational programmes and projects.

New forms of discrimination have arisen, in association with certain scientific developments and the process of globalization. As a result of these new threats and the outbreak of violent inter-ethnic conflicts in many parts of the world in recent years, the international community decided to convene in 2001 in Durban, South Africa, the World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance. In close collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), UNESCO participated actively in the Durban Conference, which was undoubtedly the high point of the Third United Nations Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination, which ended in 2003. In order to respond to the challenges emerging in modern societies, UNESCO has adopted in October 2003 a new Integrated Strategy to Combat Racism, Discrimination, Xenophobia and Intolerance (32C/13). In order to develop this strategy, UNESCO undertook a series of studies on different aspects and forms of racism, xenophobia and discrimination. A series of consultations in different regions in the world were also organized to discuss the regional specificities and priorities to be taken into account.