International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination : Definition, History & Significance
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The International Day for the elimination of racial discrimination is celebrated on the 21st of March every year to commemorate the deaths of 69 people gathered for a peaceful demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa. They had been protesting against the apartheid laws passed in South Africa.
What is the History of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination?
This day came into existence because of an unfortunate event that happened on this day in South Africa in 1960. The police opened fire on people demonstrating against the apartheid laws passed in South Africa. This incident claimed 69 innocent lives.
In 1966, United Nations General Assembly declared the 21st of March to be the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination to be celebrated annually.
What is the significance of International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination?
United Nations commemoration of the 21st of March as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination has made significant inroads in the apartheid system. International convention on eliminating racial discrimination has helped build a global framework for fighting Racism, and several racist laws and practices have been abolished.
How do we celebrate International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination?
The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination every year has a theme associated with the celebrations. Let’s take a look at various themes over the past few years.
In the year 2010: Disqualify Racism.
In the year 2014: The Role of Leaders in combating Racism and racial discrimination.
In the year 2017: Racial profiling and incitement to hatred, including the context of migration.
In the year 2018: Promoting tolerance, inclusion, unity, and respect for diversity in the context of combating racial discrimination.
In the year 2020: Recognition, justice, and development. 2018 also marked this year the International Decade for People of African descent.
UNESCO has also been at the forefront of building peace in the minds of men and women. Through education for tolerance, UNESCO rejects racist stereotypes that have persisted in culture or media. UNESCO has taken the following initiatives to combat Racism such as:
- Colour, What Colour?
- Social and Human Sciences.
- Anti-racism: UNESCO’s early mental engineering.