DiverCity: European Cities for an Inclusive Society
In the past century, racism, discrimination and xenophobia have plunged humanity into the deepest abyss of barbarism. It was with this impression in mind that the United Nations, in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, whose 60th anniversary we celebrate this year, underlined their "faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person". The firm exhortation "Never again!" is one of the basic principles underlying the foundation of the world organisation.
The past years have, however, made it very clear to us that racism, discrimination and xenophobia have remained rife and have again been spreading their destructive power throughout many regions of the world. Europe is no exception: extreme rightwing ideologies insisting on the inequality of human beings are no longer a marginal phenomenon, and everyday racism as well as racially motivated violence have become bitter reality in most European countries. The struggle against these evils, which constitute an attack on the basic values of our democracy, must therefore be a top priority in our policies.
Cities play a particularly important role in effectively combating racism, discrimination and xenophobia. Already today, half of the world's population lives in urban settlements, and in 25 years' time, this figure will have risen to two thirds, in Europe even to 80 per cent. In other words: the future of humanity lies in the cities. This is why cities play a key role in dealing with the multiple challenges in our globalised world. It is in the cities that people from various national, ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds live together in close proximity; and it is mainly cities that are challenged by deep economic and social changes in this increasingly complex world, changes which have led to many and diverse forms of fear of strangers, racism and discrimination.
The 2008 General Conference of the "European Coalition of Cities Against Racism" hosted by the City of Bologna, was therefore focussed on the question how municipalities can promote the development of an inclusive urban society. A round table with Mayors from various European cities was not only a platform for discussing challenges, strategies and progress in the struggle against racism and discrimination, it also was an opportunity to exchange experiences and to learn from different municipal approaches. Since Muslim as well as Sinti and Roma Communities are among the main targets of racism and discrimination, two working groups dealt with their current situation in European cities. The "Ten-Point-Plan of Action" forms the basis of the Coalition's work. For this reason, in two further working groups, practical examples were intended to provide cities with new opportunities and ideas on how to implement the action plan in concrete terms. Youth Voices against Racism and a panel discussion dealt with racial attacks in football are further important parts of the conference programme.
Hans Hesselmann
ECCAR President
For further infomation please see: Documents and speeches