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************************************************
AFRICAN CAUCUS GROUP (ACG)
PRESS STATEMENT
Africans and African Descendants unite to raise concerns in Vienna meeting
In preparation for the UN World Conference Against Racism (WCAR) in South
Africa August-September 2001, Africans and African Descendants see a need to
debate issues of concern in a representable way. African NGOs from many
countries will meet in Vienna 28-29 April.
Conditions for Africans and African Descendants must improve
The history of African people and people of African Descendant is complex,
intricate and embodies many chapters of injustice and brutalisation. The people
who can trace their lineage back to Africa are found on all world continents,
in every country. Although their reasons for living in different countries are
varied, people of African descent share many of the same problems whichever
country they reside in. The African Caucus group hold the opinion that the WCAR
will be a great failure if it does not sufficiently address practical remedies
to improve conditions for Africans and African Descendents.
African NGO meeting in Vienna 28-29 April 2001
The African Caucus Group appreciates the initiative by UN to put racism and
means of eradicating it, in all its forms, on the agenda internationally by
staging the World Conference against racism. The group wants to play a vital
part in supporting this process. To be able to pinpoint, discuss, highlight
and outline the various topics of specific relevance to Africans and African
Descendants, a meeting for African NGOs will be held in Vienna 28-29 April
2001.
The main objective for this meeting is to plan how the various issues
identified by the African and African Descendants NGOs should be worked on
leading up to World Conference Against Racism in Durban, South Africa. This
meeting is highly significant in that it seeks to address issues on behalf of
all people of African descent, and by doing so, unifying people in a voice
demanding to be heard. The overall purpose of the meeting will be to seek
consensus around matters, and means of raising these matters, in the
preparation process for the WCAR and beyond. 150 delegates from more than 30
countries are expected to meet in Vienna this weekend.
Specific topics the African Caucus Group will work on
· The question of the transatlantic slave trade and whether to declare it a
crime against humanity
· Sources and causes of racism
· Remedies, redress and compensation scheme for victims of the slave trade,
colonialism and present injustices related to racism
· The overall mention (or lack thereof) of people of African descent in the
WCAR declaration and plan of action documents
· Action to combat racism
· The legacy of apartheid, colonization and slavery
· Migrants, asylum seekers and refugees
· Education and employment
· Youth and women
The documents from regional conferences in Africa, Asia and Latin America &
Caribbean give support to the implementation of the above issues in the WCAR.
They have all suggested specific attention to the situation of Africans and
African Descendants. Western states, however, remain reluctant or silent to
many of these questions.
African Caucus Group
Africans and African/Descendants have met during the PrepCom, Regional and
Inter-Sessional meetings and formed an African Caucus. The group is a working
group for all people of African descent, irrespective of language, citizenship
or other classifications. ACG is presently not formalised, but operates as an
international information network. For information: [log in to unmask]
Contact:
Ihueghian Victor - Internal Coordinator for the Vienna Meeting
Association for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa (AHDA)
Vienna, Austria
Tel: (+43) 1-961-0672 or (+43) 1-961-0673
Mobile: (+43) 1-676-366-9409
E-Mail: [log in to unmask]
Chinedu Ene - External Coordinator for the Vienna Meeting
Petadisis Community Organisation
London, England
Tel: (+44) 207-241-2727
Mobile: (+44) 7940-515-902
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Amani Olubanjo Buntu - Coordinator of information, ACG
Afrikan Youth In Norway
Oslo, Norway
Tel: (+47) 23 32 60 97 (work)
Mobile: (+47) 917 49 520
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
**********************
WELCOME TO:
AFRICANS
AND
AFRICAN
DESCENDANTS
NGO
MEETING
28-29 APRIL 2001, VIENNA, AUSTRIA
Uniting Africa Worldwide
Venue: Afro-Asiatisches Institute, Türkenstrasse 3, A-1090 Wien, Austria, Tel:
310-514-312
Information contents:
1. WCAR outline
2. ACG outline
3. Africans and African Descendants NGO meeting
4. Agenda
5. Accommodation
6. Important information
7. Contact details
8. Useful web link
9. Registration form
1. WCAR outline
Headed by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, the United
Nations will stage the conference:
World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related
Intolerance (WCAR)
in Durban, South Africa 31 August to 7 September 2001. There will be a NGO
Forum taking place from 28 August-1 September. And a Youth Summit is planned
for the 27-28 August. All to take place in Durban, South Africa.
The proposed motto for the conference is "United to combat racism: Equality,
justice and dignity".
To find documentation for the Conference and the Preparatory Process, go to the
website of the High Commissioner for Human Rights:
http://www.unhchr.ch
Click on World Conference Against Racism on the left side of the Home Page.
A great deal of additional information for NGOs has been posted on an NGO
website for the World Conference:
http://www.hri.ca/racism
The NGO Liason Unit maintains a ListServe with newsletters, briefings and
updates. To be added to the mailing list, just send a message to
[log in to unmask]
For specific information related to the NGO Forum, which is being organised by
the South African National NGO Coalition (SANGOCO), go to the NGO Forum
website:
http://www.racism.org.za
2. ACG outline
In preparation for the UN World Conference Against Racism (WCAR) in South
Africa, Africans and African Descendants see a need to debate issues of concern
in a representable way. Africans and African/Descendants have met during the
PrepCom, Regional and Inter-Sessional meetings and formed an African Caucus.
The group is a working group for all people of African descent, irrespective of
language, citizenship or other classifications. ACG is presently not
formalised, but operates as an information network.
The history of African people and people of African Descendant is complex,
intricate and embodies many chapters of injustice and brutalisation. The people
who can trace their lineage back to Africa are found on all world continents,
in every country. Although their reasons for living in different countries are
varied, people of African descent share many of the same problems whichever
country they reside in. The African Caucus group hold the opinion that the WCAR
will be a great failure if it does not sufficiently address practical remedies
to improve conditions for Africans and African Descendents.
3. Africans and African Descendants NGO meeting
The African Caucus Group appreciates the initiative by UN to put racism and means of eradicating it, in all its forms, on the agenda internationally by staging the World Conference against racism. The group wants to play
a vital part in supporting this process. To be able to pinpoint, discuss, highlight and outline the various topics of specific relevance to Africans and African Descendants, a meeting for African NGOs will be held in Vie
nna 28-29 April 2001.
The main objective for this meeting is to plan how the various issues identified by the African/African Descendants NGOs should be worked on leading up to both the 2nd PrepCom (Geneva, May 2001) and the WCAR (Durban, Augu
st 2001). An agenda for the African Caucus to meet at the PrepCom in Geneva will be established. 4-6 coordinators will be elected at this meeting, to assist and to facilitate all practical needs of the process. At least
one of these coordinators should represent youth organisations and, at least, one or two should be women. Representatives from African states governments will be invited to the opening of the meeting, and will receive a s
tatement form the group after the meeting.
The group realises that there might be many NGOs who cannot participate in this meeting, due to short notice, financial constraints etc. Efforts will be made on national/regional levels to to collect information from thos
e who cannot attend and make agreements on how they best can be represented. The coordinators will also identify heads of states and international NGOs which the Caucus should be in communication with. It is especially im
portant that youth and women must be well represented in the meeting.
This meeting is highly significant in that it seeks to address issues on behalf of all people of African descent, and by doing so, unifying people in a voice demanding to be heard. The overall purpose of the meeting will
be to seek consensus around matters, and means of raising these matters, in the preparation process for the WCAR and beyond.
Specific topics the African Caucus will work on
- the question of the transatlantic slave trade and whether to declare it a a crime against humanity
- compensation scheme for victims of the slave trade, colonialism and present injustices related to racism
- the overall mention (or lack thereof) of people of African descent in the declaration and plan of action documents
- action to combat racism
- legacy of apartheid, colonisation and slavery
- migrants, asylum seekers and refugees
- education and employment
- youth and women
4. Agenda
DAY ONE 28 APRIL 2001
Registration starts 0800. Meeting starts 0930. Meeting will close 1900.
1. Registration
2. Welcome address by the Director of AHDA in Austria
3. Address by the UN High Commissioner for Human Right
4. Adoption of agenda
5. General information
6. Plenary session
7. Workshops:
a) Sources & causes of racism
b) Remedies and redress/compensatory measures
c) Victims of racism
d) Slave trade as crime against humanity
8. Presentation of papers
9. Summary
DAY TWO - 29 APRIL 2001
Meeting starts 0900. Meeting will close 1800.
1. Keynote address by African Ambassador (tba)
2. Address by High Commissioner for Refugees
3. General information
4. Plenary session
5. Workshops:
a) Action to combat racism
b) Legacy of apartheid, colonization and slavery
c) Effects of racism, slavery, apartheid and colonization on the
African/African descendants women and youths
d) The Media Manipulations: Implications for racism, migration,
immigration, asylum seekers and refugees
6. Reports from workshops, summary
7. Adoption of final report
Venue: Afro-Asiatisches Institute, Türkenstrasse 3, A-1090 Wien, Austria, Tel:
310-514-312
5. Accommodation
List of Hotels in Vienna
Hotel-Pension Ziper Hotel
Goldener Bar
8, Lange Gasse 49 9 Turkenstrasse 27
Tel: 01/404540 Tel: 3175111…0
Fax: 4085266/13 Maximal 7EZ, 7 persons ca.880
EZ: ca. 890/day (ca.10 Persons) single room ATS 880 daily
Hotel Nordbahn Best Western Hotel Beethoven
2, Prater Strasse 72 6 Millockergrasse 6
Tel: 21130…0 Tel: 5874482
Fax: 21130/72 Fax: 5874442
Reserve 1 month ahead, EZ ca. 870/Tag Maximal 7 persons @ EZ1350
Discount for 20 persons DZ 1450
Single room ATS 870 daily
Hotel Auhof Pension Schonbrunn
13 Auhofstrasse 205 12 Schonbrunner Schlobstrasse 30
Tel/Fax: 0043-1-8775289 Tel: 8155027…0
CA.10 EZ ( 10 Persons ) Fax: 8155027-300
Single Room ATS 360 daily (no bath in flat) EZ ca 610/Tag (5 Persons only)
Please, note: It is recommended that you make reservations as soon as possible, as April is a busy time in Vienna.
6. Important information
Who can attend the meeting?
- The Africans and African Descendants NGO meeting is open to all people of African descent/heritage, regardless of nationality, place of birth and language. Africans who do not represent a specific NGO, are urged to seek
representation on behalf of her/his community where she/he lives. Non-Africans who want to support the work are encouraged to submit their contact details and will receive a report after the meeting
What if I need a visa?
- If you need a visa to enter Austria (find out from your Foreign Department), please contact Ihueghian Victor (see information details below) as soon as possible for an invitation letter.
How do I register for the meeting?
- Enclosed you will find a registration form, which you are asked to fill in and submit by mail as soon as possible. For practical purposes it is important that you register by 20th April.
Is there a registration fee?
- Registering and attending the meeting is free of charge. Coffee, tea and refreshments will be available free of charge throughout the meeting. All meals must be purchased and paid by the individual attendee. Arrangement
s will be made to suggest suitable places to buy lunch and dinner.
Can I submit papers?
- Attendees are encouraged to submit papers, recommendations, outlines etc. as contributions to the meeting discussions. Please, send your written entry to:
[log in to unmask] by 15 April.
Papers will be compiled and duplicated (should not exceed 10 pages each), and made available for the meeting. It is important that your contribution is in line with the topics chosen for the meeting (see point 3 and 4). I
f the Coordinating Committee does not find your paper to be of specific relevance, you will be asked to facilitate your own copies. The Coordinating Committee also reserves the right to decide which papers will be present
ed at the meeting.
Which language will the meeting be held in?
- The meeting language will be English. However, we will try our best to accommodate translation needs. If you have specific translation needs or inquiries, please contact Ihueghian Victor (see information details below)
as soon as possible.
What means of transport should I use within Vienna?
- From the airport you can take a taxi to your hotel. Once in the city you can reach the meeting venue (Afro-Asiatisches Institute, Türkenstrasse 3) by taking the street train to the end station Schttentor/University. Yo
u can take trains 1, 2, 37, 39, 40, 41, 44D and street bus 40.
How can I get more information on Vienna?
- You can find information and city plan about Vienna at this website: http://www.wien.gv.at/english/
How can I convert Austrian prices to my currency?
To convert to Austrian currency (ATS), go to the Universal Currency Converter: http://www.xe.net/ucc/
For more information:
For all inquiries concerning the meeting in Vienna, please, get in touch with Ihueghian Victor and the rest of the staff at Association for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa (AHDA)
Mr. Ihueghian Victor, Director of AHDA:
Tel: (+43) 1-961-0672 or (+43) 1-961-0673
Mobile: (+43) 1-676-366-9409
Mail: [log in to unmask]
7. Contact details
Ihueghian Victor - Internal Coordinator for the Vienna Meeting
Association for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa (AHDA)
Vienna, Austria
Tel: (+43) 1-961-0672 or (+43) 1-961-0673
Mobile: (+43) 1-676-366-9409
E-Mail: [log in to unmask]
Chinedu Ene - External Coordinator for the Vienna Meeting
Petadisis Community Organisation
London, England
Tel: (+44) 207-241-2727
Mobile: (+44) 7940-515-902
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Amani Olubanjo Buntu - Coordinator of information, ACG
Afrikan Youth In Norway
Oslo, Norway
Tel: (+47) 23 32 60 97 (work)
Mobile: (+47) 917 49 520
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
African Caucus Group (ACG)
If you have comments, questions or requests related to the African Caucus Group, the Vienna meeting or beyond - write to our e-mail. Your mail will be forwarded to the right person, and sent out to our international netwo
rk if appropriate:
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
8. Useful web link
For useful information on various aspects of the Reparations and Compensations question, please go to the website of African Reparations Movement:
http://www.arm.arc.co.uk/
9. Registration form
Please, submit form by 20th April to [log in to unmask]
Name:
Organization:
If you do not represent a specific NGO, please indicate whether you will
participate as representative for a community or group:
Postal address:
Country of residence:
Country (countries) of origin:
Telephone:
E-mail:
Specific dietary needs:
Translation needs:
Contact Ihueghian Victor for all practical details concerning the meeting in
Vienna:
Tel: (+43) 1-961-0672 or (+43) 1-961-0673
Mobile: (+43) 1-676-366-9409 E-Mail: [log in to unmask]
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