MINELRES: CfA: UNITED Conference in Budapest (H), 11-16 May 2010

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Thu Mar 4 19:30:03 2010


Original sender: UNITED <[email protected]>


UNITED E-NEWS 02/03/10: UNITED Conference in Budapest (H), 11-16 May
2010

***Deadline for nominations 19 March 2010***

UNITED E-NEWS 26/01/09:
UNITED Conference in Budapest (H), 11-16 May 2010
'Europe All Inclusive? Minorities on the Edge of Society'
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

Contents of this E-news:
- Call for nomination
- Description and aims
- Program (draft)
- Technical Info
- Expression of interest e-form

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Dear colleagues and friends,

Please find below the information and nomination form for our next
UNITED Conference,
'Europe All Inclusive? Minorities on the Edge of Society'
11-16 May 2010, in Budapest (H)

Conference prepared by:
* Foundation of Subjective Values (H)
* Kurt Lewin Foundation (H)
* Centre for Intercultural Dialogue (MK)
* L'Arca (I)
* Never Again Association (PL)
* The Union '21st Century' (GE)
* UNITED for Intercultural Action

With the financial support of:
* European Youth Foundation of the Council of Europe
* European Commission - Delegation Moscow
* Local Municipality of Budapest - Fovarosi Onkormanyzat
* The Matra Program of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs
* Youth Board of Cyprus 

All information and the e-nomination form can be found below, and on our
website.

If your organisation is interested to nominate a representative, please
return the expression of interest form (below) as soon as possible
(deadline 19 March 2010), preferably by email to
[email protected]
- Please fill in the form below completely providing all data as
requested. If you invest more effort in the application it has more
chance to be successful!
- Each organisation can nominate only ONE representative (living in
Europe).
- Priority will be given to nominations from young delegates (under 30
years old) with a minority background
- Sending this form to UNITED does not guarantee that you will be
selected for the conference - we receive many nominations.
- Candidates will be informed about the result of their selection via
e-mail around beginning of April 2010.

Best wishes,
Geert Ates
Paola Carta
UNITED

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CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
'Europe All Inclusive? Minorities on the Edge of Society'
11-16 May 2010, in Budapest (H)

Description and aims
Central and Eastern Europe face constant transformation after the
collapse of the 'Iron Curtain' in 1989/90.
The steady shift of economy, society, policy, and social cohesion in the
context of globalisation and the try to match with 'Western' standards
more and more divides society and marginalises minority groups. With the
common fear of an international economic crisis minority groups, such as
Roma, are more likely to become scapegoats of the majority and are
threatened by open violence and discrimination (also by state
authorities).
When people start to perceive their daily lives as a competition there
is no understanding or space given to diversity and intercultural
dialogue anymore. The public discourse gradually becomes absorbed by the
argumentation of xenophobic and extremist groups who consider equal
rights for everybody as danger for the nation and its natives.

The international UNITED conference 'Europe All Inclusive? Minorities on
the Edge of Society' intends to develop counter strategies and practical
responses to situations of discrimination and intolerance, providing an
exchange platform of knowledge and good practice to develop the
practical working methods of local NGOs and strategies for the inclusion
of minority groups... we have to realise that only by acting UNITED and
sharing our knowledge we can work towards an 'All Inclusive Europe'.

Political climate in Hungary
The EU elections brought a breakthrough for 'Jobbik', the national right
wing party in Hungary. They ran a virulently racist campaign against the
so-called 'gypsy criminality' and send three representatives to the EU
parliament. As a first outcome of their establishment on a European
level, they formed, in October 2009, an alliance with the far-right
political parties in the EU Parliament, the so-called Alliance of
European National Movements. It is feared that 'Jobbik' will gain ground
also at the national elections in 2010, so Hungary will face them within
its government.

Roma: a minority at the edge of society
In Hungary 6% of the population has Roma origins, most of them are
living in a very insecure situation and are threatened by open violence
and discrimination. Without proper education, health care, job
opportunities the Roma community survives of government aid or illegal
jobs, it is not a surprise that crime level is high among them.
Attacks against Roma population are increasing in the last two years.
While the former serial killer group is behind the bars (nine attacks,
six victims), in November 2009 a village was besieged by the militant
right-wing group 'Hungarian Guard' (formed against the so-called 'gypsy
criminality').

Migrant population in Hungary
Hungary is a very homogenic country, with only 3% citizens with a
migrant background, and most of them are Hungarians by origin, who lived
as minority in neighbouring countries. A last years' survey shows 25-32
percent of Hungarians would hermetically seal the country's borders to
all foreigners and only 10 percent would accept everyone with open arms.

Europe all inclusive
There are great challenges in front of all of us. The role of the
antidiscrimination movement, and its independent actions is very
important, and maybe it is the last chance to stop these very negative
tendencies. This conference will look at specific issues, such as how to
tackle Romaphobia, minority rights, methods and good practices of
counteract right-wing extremism, the experience of migrants in Europe.
Furthermore we will make use of a variety of working methods: thematic
working groups, plenary sessions and workshops.
The six thematic working groups will continue throughout the whole
event. Your contribution will be valuable....

* In-Side-Out: Migrants and Society in Europe
This working group will analyse how migrants can regain control over
their lives, their identity as an emigrant-immigrant and their role in
the society.

* Message in a Bottle: Campaign Against Racism
Developing antiracism campaign as a key to build up new actions.

* Minorities on the Move: Stand Up for Your Rights
The role of prejudices and stereotypes about minority groups in social
segregation and discriminative political discourse.

* The Future of the Past: History as Cause of Conflict
This working group will try to see why, what and how we remember, and
what implications it has for historical-political education. Learning
the lessons from the past and taking responsibility for the future we
want.

* Roma in Europe: Working Tools to Reverse Exclusion
The Roma community suffers massive discrimination everywhere in Europe,
this working group aims to find common strategies for an inclusive
Europe.

* Right Wing Extremism: Spot It - Stop It!
How to deal with the increasing influence of the political right-wing
extremism in Europe.

UNITED is the largest pan-European anti-racist network of more than 560
organisations. With its conferences antiracist 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 October 2009 in Kiev (UA) more than 78 delegates representing
organisations from 31 European countries analysed the current political
situation in the Ukraine, how to empower minority organisations,
emerging issues in the anti-discrimination work (such as relationship
between security and migration, islamophobia, misuse of anti-extremist
legislation) and how to develop new strategies to improve cooperation
and promote tolerance.
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PROGRAM (draft)

TUESDAY 11 MAY
Arrival of participants - Until ca 17.30
16.00 - GET DOCUMENTED! - Registration of participants
20.00 - 'Breaking the Blocks', Opening, Personal Introduction of
participants

WEDNESDAY 12 MAY
09.30-11.00
* Welcome
* What is the UNITED Network
* Presentation of the national host organisations:
Foundation of Subjective Values (H)
Kurt Lewin Foundation (H)

11.15-12.30 THE DANGER OF WORDS
Definitions and concepts most used in anti-racist / anti-discrimination
work
- Discussion groups -

14.30-16.00 REALITY IN HUNGARY
* The Roma Perspective
* Nacionalizmus (Nationalism)
- Lectures and questions -

16.15-18.30 THEMATIC WORKING GROUPS
A. In-Side-Out. Migrants and Society in Europe
B. Message in a Bottle: Campaign Against Racism
C. Minorities on the Move: Stand Up for Your Rights
D. The Future of the Past: History as Cause of Conflict
E. Roma in Europe: Working Tools to Reverse Exclusion
F. Right Wing Extremism: Spot It - Stop It!
- Introduction of key issues -

20.30 INFO MARKET
Present your organisation, with the participation of regional NGOs

THURSDAY 13 MAY
09.30-11.00 COOK BOOK: RECIPES FOR ACTION Part 1
* Football Without Racism
* 'Guerrilla Marketing' unconventional system to promote your work!
- Project presentations and questions -

11.15-12.30 Continuation of the THEMATIC WORKING GROUPS
- Sharing practices -

14.30-16.30 COOK BOOK: RECIPES FOR ACTION Part 2
* Roma Media
* Theatre Against Discrimination
* Roma Inclusion through Education
*Involved=Included
- Project presentations and questions -

17.15-19.00 Continuation of the THEMATIC WORKING GROUPS
- Sharing practices -

21.00 POLITICAL CAFE

FRIDAY 14 MAY
09.30-11.00 Continuation of the THEMATIC WORKING GROUPS
- Developing strategies -

11.15-12.30 Results of the THEMATIC WORKING GROUPS
- Presentation in plenary -

14.30 FREE AFTERNOON
* Visit to Local Organisations
* Guided tour in Budapest

20.00-22.00 DINNER IN BUDAPEST

SATURDAY 15 MAY
09.30-12:30 GET ACTIVE, BE UNITED
1. International Day Against Fascism and Antisemitism
2. Monitoring Hatred Attacks - Basic tools
3. Sport Against Racism
4. Strategic Litigation
5. Local Youth Work
6. Alternative Media
- Introduction and workshops -

14:30-16:30 SPEAK OUT!
* Xenophobia
* Fortress Europe
- Panel discussion -

16:45-17:15 OPEN FORUM

17:15-18:15 EVALUATION OF THE CONFERENCE

20.30 INTERCULTURAL EVENING & FAREWELL PARTY

SUNDAY 16 MAY
Departure of participants
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TECHNICAL INFO:

Working methods
.. plenary sessions, working groups, lectures, workshops, political
cafes, presentations, debates, intercultural 'games', information
market, cultural activities, excursions, open forum.

Participants
The conference is planned for 70-75 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 years old) 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 depends on the country where the
nominated organisation is based:

120 Euro for participants from group 1:
A, B, CH, CY, D, DK, E, F, FL, FIN, GB, GR, I, IS, IRL, L, M, N, NL, P,
S

70 Euro for participants from group 2:
BG, BH, CZ, EE, HR, LV, LT, MK, MNE, PL, RO, RS, SI, SK, TR, XZ

40 Euro for participants from group 3:
AL, ARM, AZ, BY, GE, H, KZ, KY, MD, RUS, UA, UZB

Full board & lodging and the complete program is included.

Organisations that paid their 2010 supporter fee to the UNITED Network
will receive a 50% reduction of the participation fee. (how to become a
supporter)

Contribution to international travel costs
Participants travelling from group 1
(A, B, CH, CY, D, DK, E, F, FIN, GB, GR, I, IS, IRL, L, M, N, NL, P, S):
UNITED can contribute maximum 75% to the costs of your travel, not more
than 200 Euro.

Participants travelling from group 2
(BG, BH, CZ, EE, HR, LV, LT, MK, MNE, PL, RO, RS, SI, SK, TR, XZ):
UNITED can contribute maximum 90% to the costs of your travel, not more
than 250 Euro.

Participants travelling from group 3 (except H)
(AL, ARM, AZ, BY, GE, KZ, KY, MD, RUS, UA, UZB):
UNITED can contribute maximum 90% to the costs of your travel, not more
than 300 Euro.

Participants travelling from H :
UNITED can contribute maximum 90% to your travel costs (train, bus), not
more than 40 Euro.

Please look for the cheapest and most environmentally friendly
possibility to travel. We strongly encourage you to travel by
night-train, bus or other cheaper means of transport to Budapest. In
order to be eligible for a contribution to your travel costs you will be
expected to attend the whole meeting and to prove your travel expenses
providing an original invoice and the original tickets to UNITED.

The cost of your visa can be reimbursed by UNITED on the base of an
original invoice from the Embassy.
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 your participation.
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.
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 near Budapest and will start on Tuesday
afternoon 11 May 2010. Departure is foreseen for Sunday 16 May 2010. If
you wish to arrive earlier or stay longer (on your own costs), we can
help you to 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 will receive further
information e.g. visa invitation, explanation 'how to get there', a
final program, list of participants, etc.

All candidates will be will be informed about the result of their
selection via e-mail around beginning of April.

Application procedure
Organisations interested in nominating a delegate should send their
nomination (Expression of Interest form below) by email before the
deadline:
19 March 2010 - 24:00 to [email protected]

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EXPRESSION OF INTEREST:

UNITED Conference:
'Europe All Inclusive? Minorities on the Edge of Society'
11-16 May 2010, in Budapest (H)

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
[ ] Roma issues
[ ] General Discrimination
[ ] Other:


Which working group would you like to attend?
Indicate only two priorities; put '1' (first priority) and '2' (second
choice) before the relevant working groups

[ ] A. In-Side-Out: Migrants and Society in Europe
[ ] B. Message in a Bottle: Campaign Against Racism
[ ] C. Minorities on the Move: Stand Up for Your Rights
[ ] D. The Future of the Past: History as Cause of Conflict
[ ] E. Roma in Europe: Working Tools to Reverse Exclusion
[ ] F. Right Wing Extremism: Spot It - Stop It!


Please explain your choice and describe in which way you could
contribute to these 2 working groups:

Have you personally 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, I / My organisation will cover the travel costs

[ ] Yes
If yes: 
How much will be the total costs of your travel to Budapest? ..........
Euro
Country/City you will start your travel from:
How much contribution would you need from UNITED? .......... Euro

Before answering this question please read the maximum contribution to
travel costs, under technical information
Since we have limited sponsored places, delegates that can cover (part
of) their own travel costs have a higher chance to be selected.

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For those who will need a visa:
(please attach copy of your passport)

First name (as it is written in the passport):
Family name (as it is written in the passport):
Private address of the delegate:
Street:
Postal code:
City:
Country:

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

Hungarian embassy where you will apply for your visa
City:
Country:
Fax:
Phone:
E-mail:

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Please send this form as soon as possible by e-mail to:
[email protected].
Deadline 19 March 2010

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

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
www.unitedagainstracism.org 'joining the network'

----

This event is supported by the Council of Europe (European Youth
Foundation) and European Commission (Youth in Action Programme) 

The information contained herein does not necessarily reflect the
position nor the opinion of our sponsors. Sponsors are not to be held
responsible for any use that may be made of it.

----

UNITED E-NEWS is an irregular email service to over 10000 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 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] -
www.unitedagainstracism.org

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