MINELRES: CfN: UNITED Conference in Madrid, 10-15 April

[email protected] [email protected]
Mon Jan 29 19:19:31 2007


Original sender: UNITED <[email protected]>


E-news 23-01-07: UNITED Conference in Madrid, 10-15 
UNITED CONFERENCE 10-15 April 2007 in Madrid (E) - CALL FOR NOMINATIONS


DEADLINE for nominations 14/2/07


Dear colleagues and friends,

please find below the information and nomination form for our next
UNITED Conference, "UNITED against INTOLERANCE", 10-15 April, Madrid (E)

Conference prepared by:
* Kulturb�ro Sachsen - Mobiles Beratungsteam (D)
* Movement Against Intolerance (E)
* MTP Oradea/Youth Action for Peace (RO)
* Nero e Non Solo - Caserta (I)
* People Against Racism (SK)
* Spanish Federation of Lesbians, Gays, Bi & Transsexuals COLEGA (E)
* UNITED for Intercultural Action
* Youth League for Intercultural Cooperation (AZ)

With the support of:
* European Youth Foundation of the Council of Europe
* Comunidad de Madrid (E)

All information and the e-nomination form can be found below, and also
on our web-site (under new or conferences)

If your organisation is interested to nominate a representative, please
return the registration form (below) as soon as possible (deadline 14
February 2007), 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 March 2007.


Best wishes,
Geert Ates
UNITED

*********
UNITED CONFERENCE 10-15 April 2007 in Madrid (E) - CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

DESCRIPTION AND AIMS:

Hate crimes: A hidden issue in Europe?

Intolerance: Is extreme right taking over?

Antisemitism and Islamophobia. A new fear factor?

Diversity is one of the clearest identities of Europe. The terrible
history experienced by Europeans during the 20th century shows how
important it is to preserve diversity as a positive value. Memory is one
of the essential issues in forging a future. However there are those who
work intensely to destroy our coexistence promoting hate against what
they consider as different. Unfortunately the growth of intolerance is a
fact around Europe.

Extreme right parties are gaining more and more space in democratic
institutions; mainstream political parties use xenophobic populism in
electoral tactics. Hate speech in action leads to violence against the
most vulnerable people. All around the continent people have suffered
because of this phenomenon. Moreover, neo-nazi and extreme right in
general, have a pan-European vision and their capacity to act at
European level has increased dramatically during the last years.
Antiracist networking is therefore essential in order to tackle hate
organisation and fight against intolerance.

The antiracism movement in Europe requires new approaches in our
straggle against intolerance and hate. Racism is much deeper, more
dangerous, and threatening than simply a question of ignorance or fear,
as some apostles of apathy describing it.

During the conference we will analyse the current situation in Europe
and prepare the best strategies to tackle hate speech and intolerance.

Panel discussions, debates, lectures, plenary sessions, political cafes,
intercultural activities and information market are some of the methods
we will use to debated in the working groups during the conference are
the following:

* Now and Here! Analysing and preventing hate crimes.
Data collection and gathering intelligence is a key issue while we need
to reach a clear definition and law enforcement at European and national
level.

* Watch out! Right wing takes over.
Extreme right and neo-nazi organisation increased their political
influence. Meanwhile
violence has increased against vulnerable collectives in the society.

* Open up! Perspectives of diversity: Multiculturalism,
Interculturalism, Transculturalism.
How to manage diversity requires a discussion. The value of tolerance
considered a
positive and active machine against racism.

* Fighting Fear! Antisemitism and Islamophobia in Europe
Most of the hate spread around Europe has to do with Antisemitism and
Islamophobia. The fear factor is often connected with the hate factor.

* Get involved! Policies for migrants and refugees
Migrant workers, people looking for life security are facing
discrimination, xenophobia and difficulties related with integration and
identity loss in Europe.

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.

------------------------------------------------------
PROGRAM

TUESDAY 10 APRIL
Arrival of participants - Until ca 18.30
21.00 - "Breaking the Blocks", Informal opening reception

WEDNESDAY 11 APRIL
10.00-11.30
Welcome
Government of Madrid
What is UNITED?
Presentation of co-organizers: Movement Against Intolerance (MCI) -
Spain
Program/team/technicalities
Personal introductions of participants

11.45-13.30
Discussion groups "The Danger of Words" - Definitions and concepts most
used in anti-racist/anti-discrimination work

15.30-17.30
INTOLERANCE in SPAIN:
* About the situation of Intolerance in Spain - Movement Against
Intolerance (E)
* Human Rights and Foreign Policy in Spain - Ministry for Foreign
Affairs (E)
- Lectures and questions

17.45-19.00
Thematic Working Groups -key issues-
A- Now and Here! Analysing and preventing hate crimes
B- Watch Out! Right wing takes over
C- Open UP! Perspectives on diversity
D- Fighting Fear! Antisemitism and Islamophobia in Europe
E- Get Involved! Policies for migrants and refugees

19.00 - 19.30
TOLERANCE IN EUROPE
All Equal, All Different - European Youth Campaign

21.30
Info Market: Present your Organisation
with the participation of local NGOs

22.30 International Snacks


THURSDAY 12 APRIL
10.00-11.30
HATE SPEECH UNLIMINTED - Hate speech through internet, music, media,
discourse - Panel discussion

11.45-13.30
Continuation of the Thematic Working Groups -sharing practices-

15.30-17:30
TOLERANCE IN ACTION I - Project presentation
Neo-nazi attacks in Russia (RU)
Working with migrants in Adaluzia - Acoge (E)

17:45-19:00
Continuation of the Thematic Working Groups -sharing practices-

19:00-19:30
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)

21:00
Political Cafe
Video Evening
'A Diary of a Skinhead'


FRIDAY 13 APRIL
10.00-11.30
Continuation of the Thematic Working Groups -developing strategies-

11.45-13.30
Presentation of the results of the Thematic Working Groups
(plenary session)

15.00-16:30
Visits to different cultural areas in Madrid:
Multicultural district - Elavapies

Gay & Lesbian District - Chueca

16:30 - 20:00
Free time in Madrid

20:00-22:30
Dinner out in Madrid

22:30
Free evening / (optional) Movie / Political Cafe


SATURDAY 14 APRIL
10:00-11:30
VIOLENT MANIFESTATIONS OF INTOLERANCE
OSCE - Office for Democratic Institutions & Human Rights (ODIHR)
(Presentation and questions)

11:45-13:30
GET ACTIVE!
Campaign Working Groups
_ Campaign against Fascism/Antisemitism
_ Campaign in support of migrants, refugees & asylum seekers
_ Campaign against racism
_ Sports against Intolerance
_ Using media for campaigning

15:30-16:15
GET ACTIVE!
Presentation of results of the Campaign Working Groups

(plenary session)

15:30-16:15
TOLERANCE IN ACTION II - project presentations
Project on Homophobia - an example from Eastern Europe

Project on Romaphobia - Secretariado General Gitano (E)

17:30-18:00
Open Forum - with the contribution of participants

18:00-19:30
Evaluation of the conference & Official closing of the conference

21.30
Intercultural Evening & Farewell Party


SUNDAY 15 APRIL

Departure of participants

------------------------------------------------------

TECHNICAL INFO:

Working methods
.. plenary sessions, working groups, lectures, political caf�s,
presentations, debates, intercultural 'games', information market,
cultural activities, open forum.

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 - travel costs

The participation fee of the conference is:
110 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 & lodging and the complete program is included.

Organisations that paid their 2007 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 300 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). Since we have
limited sponsored places, delegates that can cover (part of) their own
travel costs have a higher chance to be selected..

Date and place
The conference will take place in Madrid and will start on Tuesday
afternoon 10 April 2007. Departure is foreseen for Sunday 15 April 2007.
You will share a room with 5 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 March) 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 March 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 14 February 2007 -
24:00 to [email protected]

--------------------------------------------------------------

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST:
UNITED conference:  UNITED against INTOLERANCE
10-15 April 2007 in Madrid (E)

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):

What languages can you work with:

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 - Now and Here! Analysing and preventing hate crimes
[   ] B - Watch Out! Right wing takes over
[   ] C - Open UP! Perspectives on diversity
[   ] D - Fighting Fear! Antisemitism and Islamophobia in Europe
[   ] E - Get Involved! Policies for migrants and refugees

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)

------------------------------------------------------------

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:

Spanish embassy where you will get your visa:

---------------------------------------------------------------

Please send this form as soon as possible by e-mail to:
[email protected]. Deadline 14 February 2007

Only those candidates selected for participation will be contacted via
e-mail � March 1, 2007.

--

***********************************************************
We depend on YOUR help in 2007!

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 2007 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 6500 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 2400 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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