By KUNA
Paris : UNESCO is to organize on Wednesday a series of events under the title “School and immigration” to celebrate International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which is marked on March 21.
The commemorative evening will be inaugurated by Chief of the Fight against Discrimination and Racism Section (UNESCO) Serguei Lazarev and a research director at the Sorbonne University. During the evening, a photos exhibition that was originally awarded the Evens Prize for intercultural education will be held. A documentary film will also be screened that was produced by 8th grade students who interviewed their parents about their origins, their reasons for taking the path of exile and their experiences in France, in addition to a debate that will take place.
According to UNESCO, the evening will “provide an opportunity for notable personalities from different backgrounds and field-based practitioners to brainstorm together.” The participants will examine issues related to cultural diversity at school, the transmission of history and experience, and the role that can be played by parents, teachers, scientists and civil society to ensure that schools, which are such special meeting places, can help safeguard and promote the diversity of 21st century societies, the Organization said.
Throughout 2008, the year for celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, UNESCO will continue and strengthen the actions it carries out in the context of its commitment to human rights and their observance. An international coalition of cities against racism and discrimination will thus be officially established in July 2008, during the World Forum on Human Rights due in France.