UNESCO

underlined the importance of learning
from injustice: ‘We will fight against
racism and discrimination by teaching
respect and tolerance, by sharing the
common history of all humanity –
including its most tragic chapters.’ She
called for unity in today’s battle against
discrimination, highlighting initiatives
such as the International Coalition of
Cities against Racism (ICCAR), which
promotes cooperation at the local and
municipal level. Mr Bell reviewed the
history and global impact of the Civil
Rights movement, and underlined our
responsibility to promote respect for
human rights: ‘Human rights extend to
everyone, and we must work constantly
to let everybody know that they
have an obligation to work towards
eliminating racism.’
The Seventh Africities Summit
also examined issues of racism,
discrimination and xenophobia in cities
worldwide. Held in Johannesburg
(South Africa) in December, it included
a panel discussion organized by
UNESCO, in partnership with the City
of Durban (South Africa), on ‘Global
Solidarity for Diversity, Inclusion and
Non-Discrimination’. Nada Al-Nashif,
UNESCO Assistant Director-General for
Social and Human Sciences, reaffirmed
UNESCO’s commitment, in the context
of ICCAR, to work closely with African
cities to fight against discrimination.
She praised the leadership of the City
of Durban in keeping the ideals of the
Coalition alive: ‘UNESCO will accompany
you towards creating a world truly
inclusive, fair and underpinned by
universal principles of solidarity, social
justice and human rights.’
‘Learning from
historical tragedies
to combat racial
discrimination
today’ was
the theme to which
International Day
for the Elimination
of Racial
Discrimination was
dedicated in 2015.
© UNESCO/Pilar Chiang-Joo
En la piel de Jacques Prévert (Inside the Mind
of Jacques Prévert), a rust metal sculpture
by Dominican artist Miguelina Rivera, was
one of the monumental artworks featured at
UNESCO Headquarters in September during
the exhibition ‘Modern Times, Artists and
the Memory of Slavery’.
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