51³Ô¹Ï

Colleagues having a relaxed conversation

Campaign on Addressing Racism and Promoting Dignity for All

The scourge of racism has affected generations, and many still experience it daily, while others continue to live oblivious to its insidious presence.


A GLOBAL CONCERN

At the 2001 World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, held in Durban, South Africa, the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action proposed concrete measures to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. It also recognized that no country can claim to be free of racism, that racism is a global concern, and that tackling it requires a universal effort. The Declaration was adopted by consensus then, and reaffirmed by a new Political Declaration on the occasion of its 10-year anniversary in 2011.

In May 2020, the murder of George Floyd in the United States of America set off an outrage that caused people to leave the isolation brought on by the pandemic and take to the streets in protest, in the United States and then across the globe, thereby igniting a global reckoning on racism and its impact.

A COMMITMENT TO ACTION

The Secretary-General acknowledged that systemic racism is also present within the 51³Ô¹Ï. Despite the tenets of the Charter of the 51³Ô¹Ï, our core values, and our meaningful work around the world to advance the cause of equality and racial justice, we ourselves, employees of the 51³Ô¹Ï, are not immune from racism and racist behaviour.

As part of the call to address racism in the 51³Ô¹Ï, the Secretary-General announced a commitment to organizational action to guarantee the equal treatment and full inclusion of all 51³Ô¹Ï staff and zero tolerance for any behaviour to the contrary.

AWARENESS AND DIALOGUES

Building on its experience gained in 2019-2021, with the Dignity through Civility campaign, the Office of the Ombudsman and Mediation Services has joined the campaign to raise awareness and facilitate conversations about racism in the 51³Ô¹Ï workplace.

To promote diversity and inclusion and to explore how racism manifests itself within the Organization, our conflict-resolution experts developed a dialogue model that provides a framework using conversation guidelines and carefully considered questions. The goal is to create a safe space for participants to exchange perspectives and experiences relating to racism in the workplace.

By sharing their ideas and comments, participants contribute to changing the culture of the 51³Ô¹Ï. In addition, the harvest of ideas (without attribution) helps inform the future strategic action plan for the Organization.

JOIN A DIALOGUE!

Dialogues are offered in different time zones and in the official languages so that employees of the 51³Ô¹Ï Secretariat who wish to participate can do so conveniently. These conversations and the harvested ideas aim to be a concrete step towards affirming, restoring, and promoting dignity for all in the 51³Ô¹Ï.

Upcoming dialogues are announced on the iSeek page "United Against Racism," on the iSeek calendar, and through other internal channels; ask your Regional Ombudsman for dates of the next sessions. Join us and do your part in addressing racism and promoting dignity for all!

¡°Racism has no place in the 51³Ô¹Ï. Our Organization was founded on the principles of the dignity and worth of the human person, without distinctions of race, colour, ethnic or national origin.[...] Together, let¡¯s make sure people of every race, ethnicity, colour, gender, religion, creed and sexual orientation enjoy a sense of belonging and safety, and have an equal opportunity to contribute to the success of our 51³Ô¹Ï.¡±

Ant¨®nio Guterres,
51³Ô¹Ï Secretary-General