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Главная » 2013 » Март » 13 » UNITED Conference "Rethinking Diversity - Challenges for equality in Europe and new responses" 26-31 May 2013, in Lithuania (LT)
12:38 UNITED Conference "Rethinking Diversity - Challenges for equality in Europe and new responses" 26-31 May 2013, in Lithuania (LT) |
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
"Rethinking Diversity - Challenges for equality in Europe and new responses"
26-31 May 2013, in Lithuania (LT)
Rethinking Diversity: Challenges for Equality
"Diversity" has become a key term in contemporary social and political discourse. Diversity is a reality, a value, an aim and a normative prescription for how to achieve the objectives of social cohesion. Despite the openness and fluidity of the concept, we still tend to perceive ethnic, cultural, religious and other groups as homogenous entities.
This is particularly visible in the anti-discrimination domain, for instance: discrimination of a Roma person is prohibited on the grounds of ethnicity, but how to deal with situations where ethnic background is not the only factor to cause unequal treatment? What if a Roma woman with mobility disabilityis being denied employment or housing on the basis of the all the grounds?
To define "multiple markets of disadvantage", social science uses the terms of "intersectionality", "multiple" or "compound" discrimination. Accordingly, the means to address such situations should also be multi-dimensional and multi-layered, but is it really happening? Many inclusion policies have been reluctant to look beyond the "label" and accommodate the needs of individuals who belong to more than one disadvantaged group. The same is true for many NGOs working within a narrow area who rarely reach out for coalition-based partnerships.
Rethinking Diversity: New Responses
Against this background, UNITED is organising an international conference in Lithuania. We aim at placing the concept of "identity" at the center of the discussion. A number of questions, including how majority communities perceive minority communities and how minority communities address diversity within their own community, will be addressed. In particular we will focus on discussing the need to build new coalitions which stretch across NGOs working in a particular field based on a common framework of human rights.
The usual discourse of anti-racism work sometimes fails to include other organisations - such as disability or LGBT, feminist organisations, or trade unions. By stressing "intersectionality" and "diversity" this conference aims to provide organisations with a chance to unite upon the cause of social inclusion and sustainable growth. The path of human rights would enable participants to act UNITED developing responses to shared challenges including building new coalitions, exploring possible frameworks for international litigation and providing conference recommendations for policy makers at both European and national levels.
ABOUT LITHUANIA
Human Rights in Lithuania
Lithuania is one of the ex-soviet states that re-gained independence in 1990s. Since 2004 Lithuania has been a member of the European Union (EU).
Interesting lessons can be drawn from Lithuania's path to independence. It was marked by the steady shift of economy, society, and policy. However, social divisions have (re)appeared in the context of free market economy and globalization. Human rights legislation was adopted in a rushed manner by the governments will to comply with the Copenhagen Criteria - a set of prerequisites to access the EU. Human rights clauses were smoothly transposed into national law, but not all human rights values were embraced by the majority of society. Therefore, human rights are still perceived as intrusive within a country positioning itself as homogenous, catholic, and traditional. Such trends are reflected in civil society in Lithuania, which is fragmented into separate sectors working on narrow issues. In many cases NGOs are non-cooperative for broader "political" causes.
Why Lithuania is important in 2013?
The Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of European Union will take part from the 1st of July, 2013. Preparation for the Presidency and the Presidency itself is a great opportunity for civil society to influence pan-European policies on equality, non-discrimination and minority protection. This UNITED conference provides excellent fora for collaboration and sharing ideas and experience that can be furthered in European level discussions.
For potential participants
The conference will make use of a variety of working methods: thematic working groups, plenary sessions and workshops. Five thematic working groups will provide a safe space to rethink diversity throughout the whole event. Your active participation and contribution to these working groups will be highly valuable.
* Minority as a Label: Going Beyond Minority Identity
The aim of this working group is twofold: to discuss how minority labels petrify the image of its representatives for majority, while questioning what are the different challenges minority members face in a time of crisis. This working group aims to come up with new initiatives, and build coalitions to better fight inequality.
* Building New Coalitions to Address Challenges Faced by Undocumented Migrants
This working group will explore how it might be possible to progress the rights of undocumented migrants by building coalitions with other sectors. Case studies which highlight how unusual collaborations have led to improvements for undocumented migrants in Europe will be explored, such as the recent exclusion from charging for HIV treatment for undocumented migrants in the UK thanks to a collaboration of health, HIV and migrant organisations. This working group will explore possibilities to reframe issues faced by undocumented migrants to enable new partnerships with partners in the areas of health, youth, and labour unions amongst others. This working group will explore the potential risks of this strategy which may lead to winning some benefits for sub-groups of undocumented migrants to the exclusion of others, and potentially dividing a vulnerable group.
This working group invites participants that have immediate experience of engaging with and campaigning alongside undocumented migrants.
*Making the Case for Equality: Legal Responses to Discriminatory Practices
The working group will focus on discrimination litigation as a method of fostering social change. The aim of this working group is to develop tools and strategies that would assist NGOs in assessing, analyzing and pursuing discrimination cases. The group invites applications from practitioners working directly with the victims of discrimination. While legal education is not a requirement, basic knowledge of national non-discrimination legislation and international standards is desirable to take part in this working group.
* Turn on - Log in - Take Action Against Online Hate Speech
This working group is completely dedicated to connecting inspiring and diverse online activists. Together they will develop actions to make a difference in spite of online discrimination. We aim to spread a bigger and inspiring message that helps make our World a better place: without hatred and without discrimination.
This working group invites participants that have immediate experience of engaging with and campaigning both online and offline. Creative participants that think outside the box are particularly invited to join.
* International Solidarity: Joining Forces to Counter Right-Wing Threats and State Repression
In many countries now, activists fighting racism and discrimination and promoting diversity and equality face threats and persecution by both the extreme right and the authorities.
This working group will explore various tactics that can be used by activists to help and support each other across borders, as well as possible ways of mobilising support within local communities to counter persecution.
The group particularly invites applications from those who already have experience of organising or participating in solidarity actions, as well as those activists who faced threats and persecution themselves.
UNITED is the largest pan-European anti-racist network of more than 550 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 November 2012 in Finland (FIN) 89 participants from 38 countries look at specific issues, such as online campaigns, how civil society can co-operate with governmental bodies, undocumented migrants rights, volunteerism and youth work and many more.
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PROGRAMME (draft)
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TECHNICAL INFO:
Working methods
... plenary sessions, working groups, lectures, workshops, political cafés, presentations, debates, intercultural 'games', information market, cultural activities, excursions, open forum.
Participants
The conference is planned for 75 participants (living in the countries of the Council of Europe) who represent (inter)national antiracist, antifascist, 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.
This event is made possible with the financial support of
* European Youth Foundation of the Council of Europe
* Provincie Noord-Brabant
* Open Society Foundations
* Youth in Action Programme of the European Commission
(*) This conference is part of the project "Europe bottom-up: Capacity Building in Anti-discrimination Youth Work", a partnership between UNITED and National Institute for Social Integration, Association for Social Change, Minority Rights Group Europe, Finnish Youth Cooperation Allianssi, Network for Democracy and Courage, Duha UNITED, Foundation of Subjective Values; financed by Youth in Action Programme of the European Union, Action 4.6 Youth support systems
Financial conditions
Participation fee - travel costs
The participation fee of the conference depends on the country where the nominating organisation is based:
120 Euro for participants from group 1:
A, B, CH, CY, D, DK, E, F, FIN, GB, GR, I, IS, IRL, L, M, N, NL, P, S
60 Euro for participants from group 2:
BG, CZ, EE, H, HR, LV, PL, RO, SI, SK
40 Euro for participants from group 3:
AL, ARM, AZ, BH, BY, GE, H, KZ, KY, LT, MK, MNE, MD, RS, RUS, TR, UA, UZB, XZ
Full board & lodging and the complete program is included.
Organisations that paid their 2013 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 80% to the costs of your travel, not more than 275 Euro.
Participants travelling from group 2
BG, CZ, EE, H, HR, LV, PL, RO, SI, SK, TR
UNITED can contribute maximum 85% to the costs of your travel, not more than 300 Euro.
Participants travelling from group 3
AL, ARM, AZ, BH, BY, GE, H, KZ, KY, MK, MNE, MD, RS, RUS, UA, UZB, XZ
UNITED can contribute maximum 90% to the costs of your travel, not more than 350 Euro.
Participants travelling from Lithuania
UNITED can contribute maximum 75% to the costs of your travel, not more than 100 Euro.
The cost of your visa can be reimbursed by UNITED on the base of an original invoice from the Embassy.
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 Lithuania.
In order to be eligible for a contribution to your travel costs you are expected to attend the whole meeting and to prove your travel expenses providing an original invoice and the original tickets to UNITED.
UNITED can only contribute to travelcosts made for the direct return route between your place of residence and Lithuania.
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 in Lithuania (LT) and will start on Sunday afternoon 26 May 2013 with a bus transport to the venue.
Departure from Vilnius is foreseen for Friday afternoon 31 May 2013.
If you wish to arrive earlier or stay longer (on your own costs), we can help you to arrange your stay.
Further information
- 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.
- Only selected candidates will be informed about the result of their selection and receive further information via e-mail end of April 2013.
Application procedure
Organisations interested in nominating a delegate should send their nomination (Expression of Interest form below) by email before the deadline:
3 April 2013 - 24:00 to lithuania@unitedagainstracism.org
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EXPRESSION OF INTEREST:
UNITED Conference:
Rethinking Diversity - Challenges for equality in Europe and new responses
26-31 May 2013, in Lithuania (LT)
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. Minority as a Label: Going Beyond Minority Identity
[ ] B. Building New Coalitions to Address Challenges Faced by Undocumented Migrants
[ ] C. Making the Case for Equality: Legal Responses to Discriminatory Practices
[ ] D. Turn on - Log in - Take Action Against Online Hate Speech
[ ] E. International Solidarity: Joining Forces to Counter Right-Wing Threats and State Repression
Please explain your choice and describe in which way you could contribute to these 2 working groups:
If asked to, could you offer a 2 hour thematic training/workshop to the other participants?
Please specify the possible topic:
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 Vilnius? .......... Euro
Country/City you will travel from (and return to):
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:
Lithuanian 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: lithuania@unitedagainstracism.org
Deadline 3 April 2013
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