Background
The United Nations World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance took place in South Africa from 31 August - 8 September 2001. The conference was organised by the United Nations to mark the International Year - and the Third Decade - for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
The World Conference focused on practical steps that countries can take to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. It also examined emerging challenges such as those posed by the proliferation of race hate speech on the Internet.
Australia's Participation
To prepare for the World Conference, HREOC conducted a variety of activities to examine the state of racism in Australia throughout 2001. These activities included the release of discussion papers, the launch of a moderated bulletin board and extensive consultations with civil society.
- Click here to view HREOC's discussion papers Combating Racism in Australia and Gender and Race Intersectionality;
- Click
here for information about HREOC's Consultations with Civil Society
Summaries on specific topics prepared by HREOC
- Indigenous peoples
- Immigration and Refugees
- Media and new technologies
- Employment
- Education
- Criminal Justice
- Services
- Anti-discrimination law and practice
Speeches
HREOC was represented at the World Conference by the Social Justice and Acting Race Discrimination Commissioner Dr Bill Jonas and the Sex Discrimination Commissioner Ms Pru Goward. Commissioner Jonas addressed a session panel on the role of national human rights institutions, especially in the UN human rights treaty system and treaty reform. Dr Jonas also addressed the WCAR Plenary Session on 4 September.
- Statement
to the WCAR under Agenda Item 9
by Dr William Jonas AM, Race Discrimination and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner
- National
human rights institutions and human rights treaty bodies
A panel presentation to the WCAR by Dr William Jonas, AM, Race Discrimination and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner.
Outcomes
The Final WCAR Declaration and Programme of Action Programme of Action are available at http://www.unhchr.ch/html/racism/02-documents-cnt.html