2011 General Conference
Ghent | 24 – 25 November 2011

Building Partnerships – Making a Difference

In recent years, we have had to observe a worrying development in Europe: right-wing populist parties with their racist and xenophobic agitation are getting stronger and are increasingly successful in lections. Meanwhile, they have found their way into the parliament and government of many European countries.

Right-wing populism thrives on the stereotype of the enemy. Its protagonists skilfully use social problems and conflict in our societies which have significantly increased, cashing in on this for their political benefit. They fan people’s fears: fears such as losing their jobs, of losing their identity and of alleged foreign domination; and so they increase anxieties. They oversimplify complex problems; they promote supposed solutions and offer scapegoats: the usual targets are immigrants, religious and ethnic minorities.

Muslims and Roma are just two examples. The stigmatisation, the discrimination and the racist violence which particularly members of Roma communities have experienced in several European countries in recent times is appalling and conjures up memories of the worst periods of the past century.

However, there are many more challenges in the field of racism, discrimination and intolerance in Europe today which need to be addressed. These social ills not only violate the dignity and the rights of the people affected, they are a slow poison, a cancerous growth endangering peace, security and social cohesion in our societies. They constitute an attack on the basic values of our democracy. The struggle against racism and discrimination has, therefore, become one of the main challenges Europe is facing today.

The European Coalition of Cities Against Racism (ECCAR) strives for an urban society where the principles of equality and solidarity are honoured, not merely in words, but in deeds.

However, if we want our efforts to be successful, we need cooperation with many other organisations, institutions and people of good will who share our goals and work in the same direction.

The 2011 General Conference hosted by the City of Ghent in Belgium is, therefore, entitled "Building Partnerships – Making a Difference". It is mainly focussed on the question how local authorities can co-operate with discriminated groups on the basis of ECCAR’s "Ten-Point-Plan of Action Against Racism".

The conference programme includes two round tables and five working groups. The round tables provide an opportunity to draw a picture of the current situation of various discriminated groups and to discuss strategies for joint activities in the future. Three working groups will deal with main challenges cities are facing today, as for example the question how municipalities can co-operate with the media in counteracting Islamophobia and Romaphobia, how to promote equality and social cohesion through cultural co-operation and education, and how to perform anti-discrimination work in individual cases. Two further working groups are intended to develop strategies how to challenge racism through sports, and to strengthen ECCAR’s co-operation with young people. Last but not least, the evaluation results of member cities‘ reports on their implementation measures for the Ten-Point- Plan of Action as well as a marketplace of ideas and a guided tour to intercultural projects of the City of Ghent will provide participants with further opportunities to share experiences and good practices.

The organisers cordially invite European cities, civil society organisations and all interested persons to participate in and contribute to this conference in Ghent.

Dr. Hans Hesselmann

President of ECCAR

Download programme leaflet: Building Partnerships – Making a Difference

Télécharger - Version française: Bâtir des partenariats – Faire une différence