*What is diversity?
How is it related to you?
Is Europe a house of diversity?
Does Europe equally welcome anyone who wants to become a European citizen?*
Diversity is about differences on cultural, ethnic and social grounds, but it is also about differences among communities, countries and geographical areas. We, as citizens of Europe, are all different in many ways and we can build our identity using many criteria: personality, age, physical characteristics, religion, gender, nationality, political believes, etc.
When we meet people from other societies or countries, we interact with them on the basis of the differences existing between us: different viewpoints, ideas, cultural values, behaviours, lifestyle, relation between majority and minority, language, etc.
Today, Europe is a home for people of many different cultures. This makes our life more interesting, but also more challenging.
Can we say than that Europe has a culture based on the respect for diversity? If we are so different, how can we be equal? Living in multicultural societies requires effort to discover how to live and interact with the ones who are different. The interaction among societies that are culturally different should bring new solutions based on equality, dignity and respect for the rights of all.
Panel discussions, debates, lectures, plenary sessions, political cafes, intercultural activities and information market are some of the methods we will use to explore the different faces of diversity in Europe.
These are the *selected issues* to be debated in the working groups during the conference:
*Get visible! Migrants, refugees & human trafficking*
Migrant workers, people looking for life security are facing discrimination,
xenophobia and difficulties with integration and identity loss in Europe.
*Fear-factory: Islamophobia Who do we blame now?*
Living in ignorance and finding scapegoats for our fears.
*Antifascism: The past is present in the future*
An interesting approach where past events that marked history still have an influence in present and on the future.
*A person is not an image: Stereotypes*
We need your attention on how images can create distortions of reality.
*Educate in diversity - Learn equality*
Considering that education is one of the main factors influencing culture and identity, we will develop educational strategies to promote diversity and equality.
*Offside: Racism in football*
Keeping sport fields free of violence and promote fair play.
UNITED is the largest pan-European anti-racist network of more than 560 organisations. Through its conferences anti-racist and human rights activists from all parts of Europe meet and discuss effective ways of combating racism and discrimination. At a recent UNITED conference held in March 2006 in Sofia (Bulgaria) more than 81 delegates representing organisations from 47 European countries analysed the situation of refugees, migrants and the new challenges of islamophobia and antisemitism and planned common strategies for intercultural dialogue in Europe.
*Technical Info*
*Working methods*
... plenary sessions, working groups, lectures, political cafés, presentations, debates, intercultural 'games', information market, cultural activities, open forum
The conference is planned for ± 75 participants (living in Europe) who represent (inter)national anti-racist, anti-fascist, refugee, human rights and minority rights organisations. Active grass-roots groups from all over Europe are also invited. Participation is rotated from one conference to another. Priority will be given to nominations from young delegates (under 30) with a minority background. Preference is given to those organisations that actively take part in UNITED campaigns. Participants should act as multipliers, spreading the information to as many people as possible. We will try to reach an equal balance of female/male participants and a good geographical distribution. Each organisation can nominate only one delegate.
*Language:*
The conference language is English. All participants are expected to have at least basic knowledge of English. But don't worry, English is almost nobody's mother tongue. If you have difficulties in expressing yourself, surely we can help each other.
*Financial conditions: Participation fee - travelcosts*
The participation fee of the conference is:
*100 Euro* for participants from Western Europe:
A, B, CH, CY, D, DK, E, F, FIN, GB, GR, I, IS, IRL, L, M, N, NL, P, S (group 1)
*60 Euro* for participants from Central Europe:
BG, BH, CZ, EE, H, HR, LV, LT, MK, PL, RO, SI, SK, TR, YU (group 2)
*30 Euro* for participants from Eastern and Southern Europe:
AL, ARM, AZ, BY, GE, KZ, KY, MD, RUS, UA, UZB (group 3)
Full board and lodging and the complete program is included.
Organisations that paid their supporter fee to the UNITED Network will receive a 50% reduction of the participation fee. (for explanations about how to become a supporter see www.unitedagainstracism.org under 'joining the network')
UNITED can contribute to your travel costs up to a maximum of 350 Euro. In special cases the amount can be raised to 450 Euro for people travelling long-distance from Eastern Europe (group 3 above).
Please look for the cheapest and most environmentally friendly possibility to travel. You will be expected to attend the whole meeting and to prove your travel expenses with an original invoice and the original tickets.
The cost of your visa can be reimbursed by UNITED on the base of an original invoice.
UNITED conferences can only take place when participants make an effort to contribute financially to their travel costs. We ask you to find out if there are alternative possibilities of funding. Sometimes it is possible to find small local grants (e.g. a travel grant from a foundation, a university, an embassy or another sponsor). We would very much appreciate your help.
*Date and place*
The conference will take place close to Neuchatel and will start on Tuesday afternoon 14 November 2006. Departure is foreseen for Sunday evening 19 November 2006. You will share a room with 3 other people. If you wish to arrive earlier or stay longer (on your own costs), we can help you arrange your stay.
*Further information*
Please, note that sending the _expression of interest form does not guarantee your participation in the conference. Only those candidates selected for participation (this will be known in October) will be contacted, they will receive further information e.g. visa invitation, explanation 'how to get there', a final program, list of participants, etc. Feel free to contact us (by email) after October 1 to get information about your nomination.
*Application procedure:*
Organisations interested in nominating a delegate should send their nomination by email before the deadline of Friday 15 September 2006 - 24:00 to info@unitedagainstracism.org
*Website*: http://www.united.non-profit.nl/pages/Switzerlandinv.htm
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