MINELRES: UNITED Conference, Neuchatel (CH), 14-19 November 2006

[email protected] [email protected]
Thu Jul 13 09:03:44 2006


Original sender: UNITED <[email protected]>


UNITED E-NEWS 07/07/06: UNITED Conference in Switzerland 
UNITED CONFERENCE 14-19 November 2006 in Neuchatel (CH) - CALL FOR
NOMINATIONS


Dear colleagues and friends,

please find below the information and nomination form for our next
UNITED Conference,
"All Different - All UNITED", 14-19 November, Neuchatel (CH)

Conference prepared by:
�� Anti Trafficking Center (YU)
�� Antirassistisch-Interkulturelles Informations Zentrum Berlin (D)
�� Augustaschacht Memorial (D)
�� Get Educated - Learning Media Against Racism (S)
�� Golden Ball, Youth National Minority Program (LV)
�� School Without Racism (B)
�� Service Civil International (CH)
�� Moviemento Contra la Intolerancia (E)
�� MTP Oradea (RO)
�� New Group Belarus - SCI (BY)
�� UNITED for Intercultural Action

All information and the e-nomination form can be found below, as well as
on our site http://www.unitedagainstracism.org under 'upcoming
conferences' and under 'new'.
Programme: http://www.united.non-profit.nl/pdfs/conprsofia.pdf  (pdf,
432 KB)
Registration Form: http://www.united.non-profit.nl/docs/regCH.rtf  (rtf,
12 KB)

If your organisation is interested to nominate a representative, please
return the registration form (below) as soon as possible (deadline 15
September 2006), preferably by email to
[email protected]
- Please fill in this form completely providing all data as requested.
If you invest more effort in the application it has more chance to be
successful!
- Each organisation can register only one representative (living in
Europe). Priority is given to participants under 30.
- Sending this form to UNITED does not guarantee that you will be
selected for the conference - we receive many nominations.
- Only those candidates selected for participation will be contacted via
e-mail � 1 October 2006.

Best wishes,
Geert Ates
UNITED



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UNITED CONFERENCE 14-19 November 2006 in Neuchatel (CH) - CALL FOR
NOMINATIONS

DESCRIPTION AND AIMS:

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.

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PROGRAM


TUESDAY 14 NOVEMBER
Arrival of participants - Until ca 17.30
20.00 - "Breaking the Blocks", Informal opening reception

WEDNESDAY 15 NOVEMBER
9.30-11.00
Welcome
What is UNITED?
Presentation of co-organizers: Service Civil International - Switzerland
Program/team/technicalities
Personal introductions of participants

11.15-12.30
Discussion groups "The Danger of Words" - Definitions and concepts most
used in anti-racist/anti-discrimination work

14.30-16.00
COLORS OF DIVERSITY: Switzerland welcomes you? & Challenge intolerance,
fight against hate crimes - Lecture and questions

16.15-18.00
Thematic Working Groups -key issues-
A- Antifascism  - The past is present in the future
B- Educate in diversity - Learn equality
C- A person is not an image: Stereotypes
D- Get visible! Migrants, refugees & human trafficking
E- Fear-factory: Islamophobia  - Who do we blame now?
F- Offside, racism in football

18:00-19:00 Presentations
OSCE-Office for Democratic Institutions & HR (ODIHR)
All Equal  - All Different: European Youth Campaign
(presentations in plenary session)

20.30
Info Market - Present your Organistion
with the participation of local NGOs
21.30 International Snacks

THURSDAY 16 NOVEMBER
9.30-11.00
THE LIMITS OF DIVERSITY -Cultural differences and Human Rights - Panel
discussion

11.15-12.30
Continuation of the Thematic Working Groups -sharing practices-

14.30-16:00
THE CHALLENGES WITHIN DIVERSITY - Project presentation
Solidarite sans frontiers (CH)
Honour related violence

16:15-18:00
Continuation of the Thematic Working Groups -sharing practices-

18:00-18:30
GET ACTIVE!
Short presentation of UNITED campaigns:
21 March - European-wide Action Week Against Racism
9 November - 'Kristallnacht' Commemoration
20 June - International Refugee Day / Fortress Europe - No More Deaths
(plenary session)

20:30
Political Cafe
Video Evening

FRIDAY 17 NOVEMBER
9.30-11.00
Continuation of the Thematic Working Groups -developing strategies-

11.15-12.30
Presentation of the results of the Thematic Working Groups
(plenary session)

14.15-19:00
Visits to local projects such as: Antiracism Kiosk, Refugee Center, Play
with Diversity - Sport activities for integration

19:00-22:00
Dinner out in a local restaurant

23:00
Political Cafe

SATURDAY 18 NOVEMBER
9:30-11:00
ROMA - A HIDDEN ISSUE?
(Presentation, movie and questions)

11:15-13:00
GET ACTIVE!
Campaign Working Groups
_ Campaign against fascism/antisemitism
_ Campaign in support of migrants, refugees & asylum seekers
_ Campaign against racism
_ Youth campaign against exclusion
_ Using media in/for campaigning

14:30-15:30
DEALING WITH DIVERSITY - project presentations
KIGA - Initiative Against Anti-Semitism in Kreuzberg/Berlin (D) - 
activities preventing anti-Semitism
Training for policeman in hate crime prevention

15:30-16:15
GET ACTIVE!
Presentation of results of the Campaign Working Groups
(plenary session)

16:30-17:00
Open Forum - with the contribution of participants

17:00-18:30
Evaluation of the conference & Official closing of the conference
20.30
Intercultural Evening & Farewell Party

SUNDAY 19 NOVEMBER
Afternoon
Departure of participants
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TECHNICAL INFO:

Working methods
.. plenary sessions, working groups, lectures, political caf�s,
presentations, debates, intercultural 'games', information market,
cultural activities, open forum
See the program ( http://www.united.non-profit.nl/pdfs/conprsofia.pdf 
pdf 432 KB) for further details.

Participants:
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 [email protected]

Also files:
program (pdf 432 KB) 
http://www.united.non-profit.nl/pdfs/conprsofia.pdf
registration form (rtf 12 KB) 
http://www.united.non-profit.nl/docs/regCH.rtf
------------------------------------------------------------------

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST:
UNITED conference:  All Different � All UNITED
14-19 November 2006 in Neuchatel (CH)

Name Organisation:
Name organisation in English:
Abbreviation name organisation:
Organisation's address
street:
postal code:
city:
country:
Phone organisation:
Mobile phone organisation:
Fax organisation:
E-mail organisation:
Website organisation:

First name delegate:
Family name delegate:
Date of birth:
Male:               Female:
Private e-mail delegate:
E-mail address to send conference documents:
Personal phone/mobile where you can be reached in emergencies:
phone:
mobile phone:

Special needs (vegetarian, no pork, allergies, disabilities etc.):


Do you consider yourself to be part of a minority?
No:
Yes: (please, specify)


Motivation and aims for participating:


Please describe the work you are doing and the specific projects you
have been involved in:


Describe your skills (eg. leading a working group, reporting):


Indicate the field(s) of your activity:
put a cross before the relevant field(s)
[   ] Anti-nationalism
[   ] Anti-racism
[   ] Anti-fascism
[   ] Migrant / minority rights
[   ] Refugee support
[   ] Human rights
[   ] Youth work
[   ] Other:


Which working group would you like to attend?
Indicate clearly two priorities, put '1' and '2' before the relevant
working groups
[   ] A - Get visible! Migrants, refugees & human trafficking
[   ] B - Fear-factory: Islamophobia � Who do we blame now?
[   ] C - Antifascism � The past is present in the future
[   ] D - A person is not an image: Stereotypes
[   ] E - Educate in diversity � Learn equality
[   ] F - Offside: Racism in football
Please explain your choice and describe in which way you could
contribute to these 2 working groups:

Have you experienced racism and/or discrimination?
No:
Yes: (please, specify)

How will you share the experience of the conference after your return in
your organisation, community, country?

Would you need financial support from UNITED for your travel costs?
No:
Yes:
If yes, why and how much?
(Before answering this question please read �contribution to travel
costs� under technical information)

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For those who will need a visa:

Private address of the delegate
street:
postal code:
city:
country:

Place of birth:
Country of birth:
Citizenship:
Number of passport:
Passport valid until:


Swiss embassy where you will get your visa:

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Please send this form as soon as possible by e-mail to:
[email protected]. Deadline 15 September 2006

Only those candidates selected for participation will be contacted via
e-mail � September 15, 2006.

--
***********************************************************
We depend on YOUR help in 2006!

UNITED is not rich and has no stable income!
Though far most of the work at the UNITED secretariat is done voluntary
- still money is needed to keep the network functioning in 2006 and to
secure the cooperation and information flow throughout Europe.

Your donation is most welcome:
- in cash to UNITED Postbus 413 NL-1000 AK Amsterdam
- by bank (preferable) to:
UNITED, Postbus 413 NL-1000 AK Amsterdam
Account: IBAN NL77PSTB0002343715, BIC: PSTB NL2A - Bank: Postbank,
Postbus 1800, NL-1000 BV Amsterdam
(From NL: postbank 2343715)

***********************************************************

UNITED is the pan-European network against nationalism, racism, fascism
and in support of migrants and refugees, supported by over 560
organisations in 46 European countries.
How to join the network: see http://www.unitedagainstracism.org 'joining
the network'

UNITED E-NEWS is an irregular email service to over 6300 organisations
and contact persons active in the working  fields: anti-racism, refugee
support, anti-fascism, against antisemitism, migration, minority issues,
intercultural youth work, against nationalism etc.

Regular postal mailings, containing publications such as Addressbook
Against Racism, Calendar of Internationalism, Campaign reports, Posters
etc. are sent to over 2200 European organisations.  If you also would
like to receive this mailing: see http://www.unitedagainstracism.org
'joining the network'

----

UNITED for Intercultural Action
European network against nationalism, racism, fascism and in support of
migrants and refugees
Postbus 413   -  NL 1000 AK Amsterdam - phone +31-20-6834778  -  fax
+31-20-6834582 - [email protected]  - 
http://www.unitedagainstracism.org


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