WORLD CONFERENCE AGAINST RACISM, XENOPHOBIA AND RELATED INTOLERANCE

NGO Forum 8/28 - 9/1; WCAR Sept. 1-8, 2001, Durban South Africa

This conference called me to a deeper awareness of the many and deep wounds present in poor and suffering humanity and all of creation, throughout our world.

During the NGO Forum and the World Conference, there were parallel events. One was the "Voices of the Victims". Women were the majority of victims. They told of murder, rape, extreme poverty, trafficking all due to racism, ethnic hatred, gender discrimination, war, poverty and the negative effects of globalization.

Sister Maria Lucia Barbosa de Oliveira attended the workshops on the indigenous peoples. Sister Bernadette Sullivan attended workshops on the Dalits and Religious Intolerance, the Death Penalty, and Voices of Victims.

This was the first world forum where people who are oppressed had the opportunity to make their voices heard. Palestinians and Jews, Hindus and Dalits (untouchables), Tibetans and Chinese, Gypsies, Romas, Travellers, migrants, refugees, etc., could vent their frustration and their anger in a safe environment. No one had weapons and the South African police were on hand as peacekeepers if needed.

The delegates of the nations of the world had to wrestle with the cry for reparations coming from the African diaspora, the cry for justice coming from the Palestinians and the conflictual language proposed for the Declaration: notably that Zionism is Racism. Kofi Anan and many Delegates decried the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories and the assassination of Palestinian leaders.

Mrs. Mary Robinson, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, was untiring in her efforts to keep the NGO Forum and the World Conference on its broad agenda, while listening to the individual issues brought to our attention. She gave exceptional leadership with her skill, her patience and her faith.

Franciscans International had 11 members present from 5 nations, each of us following particular issues and sharing with each other. Sister Florence Deacon delivered a statement we made in collaboration with several other Catholic and Justice organizations to the WCAR. Franciscans International (F. I.) also made a statement regarding the Declaration of the NGO Forum indicating partial agreement with it. Both of these statements are available from Sister Marcia Dahlinghaus. F.I. offered a workshop for the participants which included an overview of Franciscan spirituality, an explanation of F.I. and witnessing by our members in South Africa who lived the charism of peace during the Apartheid years.

The declaration from the WCAR and from the NGO Forum can be found on the UNHCHR web site. Click on to World Conference.

F. I. Will participate in follow up meetings to strategize regarding implementation of the Declarations of the Conference. The Conference was a step on the way to eliminating Racism and all types of discrimination. Careful follow up is essential.

Sister Bernadette Sullivan, SFP