Race & Immigration: 10 Years After Durban

[This is your invitation to the event. Due to heightened security, you must confirm your participation at 212-682-3633, ext. 3111 by noon on Thursday. To access the Church Center from 44^th and Second Ave you must have this invitation and a picture ID. A staff member from CCUN will be present from 1:15 – 1:45 to escort you through security to the building. You will not be able to access the building without confirming your participation and without a picture ID.]

Thursday, Sept. 22, 2011
2:00 - 4:00 pm,
Boss Room, 8th floor,
Church Center for the UN,
New York

A panel presentation and discussion on the developments at the intersection of race and immigration since the World Conference Against Racism and Xenophobia -- which concluded just days before Sept. 11, 2001.
(Photo shows march for migrant rights at WCAR events in Durban, South Africa.)

On Aug 28 – Sept 8, 2001, over 15,000 people from around the world met in Durban, South Africa for the World Conference Against Racism and Xenophobia (WCAR). WCAR was an exciting development for the global migrant rights movement, led by the NGO Migrant & Refugee Caucus and more than 70 organizations from around the world, including the US Immigrant Rights Working Group representing 25 US organizations. But with the tragedy of 9/11 following closely on the heels of WCAR, a global backlash ensued. Racial discrimination against migrants increased rather than decreased after WCAR, fueled by “national security” frameworks and criminalization of migrants.

On Sept 22, 2011, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly will commemorate the 10^th anniversary of WCAR and its Durban Declaration. To honor the work of the Migrant Caucus in Durban and to highlight the ongoing struggles and intersections of race and immigration, particularly in the US, this side event will explore the significance of WCAR for the immigrant rights movement, as well as the ongoing work since 2001 to challenge racism against our communities and to build multi-racial alliances. anniversary of WCAR and its Durban Declaration.

Panelists:

Carol Barton (United Methodist Women; NNIRR) Moderator

Gerald Lenoir (Black Alliance for Just Immigration – BAJI)

Monami Maulik (Desis Rising Up and Moving – DRUM)

Respondent:

Corann Okorodudu (NGO Committee on Migration, Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues)

Convened by: United Methodist Women (UMW) & National Network for Immigrant & Refugee Rights (NNIRR)

Sponsored by: Black Alliance for Just Immigration; DRUM: Desis Rising Up and Moving; Latin American and Caribbean Community Center; Migrants Rights International (MRI); and NGO Committee on Migration.