CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

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

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'.

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 budapest@unitedagainstracism.org