WORLD CONFERENCE
The "World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance" (WCAR) will be held
in Durban, South Africa August, 31- September, 7, 2001. It is a world wide governmental Conference, organized by
resolution decision of the United Nations General Assembly. The UN General Assembly determined that the WCAR should
be oriented towards action and should examine the practical ways to eliminate racism. Also, it should deal with all
forms of racism, including contemporary forms of intolerance.
The official documents of the Conference are available in various languages in the web page of the High Commissioner of Human Rights::
CONFERENCE OBJECTIVES:*
To review the progress made in the fight against racism and racial discrimination, to reappraise obstacles to
progress in this field, and to devise ways to overcome them.
- To consider how to ensure the better application of existing standards to combat racial discrimination.
- To increase awareness about racism and its consequences.
- To formulate concrete recommendations on how the activities and mechanisms of the UN can be more effective in
fighting racism.
- To make recommendations with regard to new national, regional and international measures that could be
adopted to fight racism; and
- To draw upon recommendations to ensure that the United Nations has the necessary resources to combat racism
and racial discrimination.
(*Objectives defined in the resolution of the General Assembly, 1997.)
ORGANIZATION:
The World Conference is organized by the United Nation's High Commissioner of Human Rights, based in Geneva. The
High Commissioner, Mary Robinson, is the General Secretary of the Conference.
The person in charge of NGO Liaison in this instance is:
Laurie S. Wiseberg
NGO Liaison for the WCAR
Room 4 025, OHCHR
Palais Wilson
CH 1211 Geneva 10
Switzerland
Tel. (41 22) 917 9393
Fax. (41 22) 917 9050
E mail: lwiseberg.hchr@unog.ch
NGO PARTICIPATION IN THE PROCESS OF THE CONFERENCE
The United Nations UN, is principally comprised of its Member States, represented by their governments. The term
Non-Governmental Organization -NGO- as sanctioned by the UN, refers to those diverse entities, movements and
organizations independent of governments, that can participate in the different activities of the world
organization as observes, under the criteria established by the governments.
Those organizations that have obtained consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the UN
(Ecosoc), are automatically accredited to attend these activities, present recommendation documents, and organize
events parallel to those organized by the UN. The same applies to those organizations and indigenous communities
accredited to the Working Group of the Commission on Human Rights on the draft declaration of the Rights of
Indigenous Peoples.
Those organization that do not have Ecosoc status can also request their accreditation to the events, as well as
organize independent initiatives. The
NGO Forum
is the place to do this.
One of the objectives of the NGO Forum is to channel the proposals that result from this concertation to the World
Conference.
One of the objectives of the NGO Forum is to channel the proposals that result from
this concertation to the World Conference.
NGO ACCREDITATION TO THE CONFERENCE AND THE **PRIOR** EVENTS
IF YOUR ORGANIZATION OR ENTITY WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CONFERENCE AND ITS PROCESS REQUEST ACCREDITATION
AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! In order to participate in the World Conference in South Africa and the official preparatory
meetings, send your request for accreditation to:
Ms. Catherine Brémont,
OHCHR, Room PW 1 051,
Palais des Nations, 8 14
Avenue de la Paix,
CH 1211 Geneva 10
Switzerland
Tel: 00 41 22 917 92 62,
Fax: 00 41 22 917 90 11,
E mail: cbremont.hchr@unog.ch
The registration form and the list of required documents can be found in the web page of High Commissioner
The accreditation is valid for both the World Conference and the regional intergovernmental meetings, as well as
the preparatory meetings in Geneva.
The organizations already accredited to the World Conference, those that have consultative status with Ecosoc,
and those indigenous communities and organizations accredited by the Working group of the Commission on Human
Rights on the draft declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, should send a letter on official letterhead,
signed by the person responsible, before each meeting confirming the nomination of their representatives (one
letter per organization) to Catherine Brémont (address and fax above).
For additional information about the participation and accreditation of NGOs to the various preparatory events of
the UN, contact:
Sandra Aragon Parriaux,
OHCHR, Palais des Nations,
Room PW RS181, 1211 Geneva 10,
Switzerland
Tel: (41 22) 917 9129
Fax: (41 22) 917 9050
E mail: saragon.hchr@unog.ch
