Released on March 21, 1995
Municipal Government Minister Carol Carson recognized today asInternational Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
"The commemoration of March 21 as the International Day for the
Elimination of Racial Discrimination is an opportunity to renew our
personal commitment to overcome all forms of racism and discrimination
and to show that we respect, accept and celebrate the cultural
diversity of this province," Carson said. "This is reflected in our
province's motto: From Many Peoples Strength.
"It is the hard work and dedication of many people, from many different
cultures, which have shaped this province over its 90-year history."
Carson commended the Interagency Committee for the Elimination of
Racism in Sport and Recreation. The committee was formed in 1993 to
develop and implement a strategy to address the issue of racism in
sport and recreation.
Organizations involved in the committee are the Federation of
Saskatchewan Indian Nations, Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation
Association, Sask Sport Inc., Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan,
University of Regina, Saskatchewan Recreation Facilities Association,
federal Department of Canadian Heritage, and Saskatchewan Municipal
Government.
"The government is committed to the elimination of racial
discrimination, and sport and recreation is one of the areas where we
are seeing progress," Carson said.
"I am pleased with the efforts of the interagency committee to ensure
all citizens will have access to sport and recreation opportunities and
to facilitate greater understanding of the issues of racism."
Carson thanked members of the committee for their work on the
development of resource materials to support athletes, coaches and
officials in their efforts to eliminate racism in sport. The resource
materials were developed by the committee with the support of the
federal Department of Canadian Heritage and Saskatchewan Municipal
Government.
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For more information, contact:
Maureen Boyle
Communications
Municipal Government
Regina
Phone: 787-5959
The History of International Day for the Elimination of Racial
Discrimination
ù March 21, 1960 in Sharpeville, South Africa, peaceful
demonstrators against apartheid (which forced separation of
races in South Africa) were massacred by South African
Security Forces.
ù In 1966, in commemoration of this tragic event, the United
Nations declared March 21, the International Day for the
Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
ù On December 20, 1983, the General Assembly of the United
Nations called upon all states and organizations to
participate in the Program of Action for the Second Decade
to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination.
ù On March 21, 1986, the Prime Minister proclaimed in the
House of Commons Canada's participation in the Second Decade
and called upon all Canadians to join together in
``extending their efforts to ensure the rapid eradication of
racism and racial discrimination and the realization of
mutual understanding, respect, equality and justice for all
Canadians.''
ù In September, 1988, ministers attending a
federal/provincial/territorial ministerial conference on
human rights agreed to commemorate March 21 in all Canadian
jurisdictions.