Canadian Youth Fight Racism at Launch of Annual March21 Campaign
VANCOUVER, September 29, 2000 -- The Honourable Hedy Fry, Secretary of State (Multiculturalism) (Status of Women), today launched the year 2001 edition of the March 21 Campaign, Racism. Stop it!. Dr. Fry was joined by TV personality Juliette Powell, musical groups Rascalz and Aché Brasil, singer Tara MacLean and the Urban Storm troupe. The March 21 campaign launch event was held at Vancouver's Roundhouse Community Centre in the presence of 300 local-area youth. Several hundred more youth from across the country participated in the ceremony via a live Webcast linking seven other Canadian communities to the Roundhouse location.The Stop Racism National Video Competition, sponsored by Panasonic, is a key component of the March 21 Campaign. The contest, which closes on January 26, 2001, is open to youth, ages 12 to 18, and invites teams to produce a short video illustrating their thoughts on eliminating racial discrimination. The top-ten outstanding videos will be broadcast on MuchMusic/Musique Plus and will be made available on the March21 Web site.
"For the 13th year, the March 21 Campaign will once again tap into the energy and enthusiasm of Canadian youth who continue to take up the challenge of eliminating racism in our society," said Dr. Fry. "The 2001 edition of the campaign will have an added dimension since it is in the Fall of that year that the Government of Canada will be bringing the voice of young Canadians to the UN sponsored World Conference Against Racism, to be held in September 2001 in South Africa."
March 21 is the day proclaimed by the United Nations as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. It commemorates the massacre of peaceful demonstrators in Sharpeville, South Africa, more than thirty years ago.
The March 21 Campaign raises awareness about racism and encourages individuals and organizations to help eliminate racial discrimination. Every year, hundreds of events sponsored by community groups, schools, school boards, colleges and universities, are held in every province and territory.
More information and material on the Stop Racism National Video Competition are available by calling 1-888-March21 (1-888-627-2421) and by visiting the March 21 Web site at http://www.march21.com.
Information:
Thoren Hudyma
Press Secretary
Office of the Secretary of State
(Multiculturalism) (Status of Women)
(819) 997-9900
BACKGROUNDER
The Importance of March 21
--On March 21, 1960, the world was shocked by news of the Sharpeville Massacre in South Africa. In commemoration of this tragic event in which peaceful demonstrators against apartheid were killed, the United Nations declared March 21 the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in 1966.
--2001 is the 13th Anniversary of Canada's annual March 21 Campaign to raise awareness of racism and to encourage Canadians to do what they can in their daily lives to end racial discrimination.
--The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination lets each and every one of us make a personal commitment to stop racism not just on March 21, but every day of the year. It speaks to our Canadian values of respect, acceptance, equality and justice for all.
--Canada is recognized around the world as a nation of fair-minded people. Historically, we have taken a leadership role in efforts to bring about peace, prosperity and global harmony. One reason is our diversity of languages, religions and cultures. That diversity has helped us build a great nation that is the envy of the world.
--Every year, thousands of Canadians take part in hundreds of events across the country to commemorate March 21 -- the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
--The population of Canada is likely to become even more diverse in the coming years. Demographic projections tell us that, by the year 2006, 43 percent of all Canadians will have at least one origin other than French, British or Aboriginal.
--Youth are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity provided by March 21 to make a commitment and to take action to stop racism. A key opportunity to do so is the national Stop Racism National Video Competition, for youth in grades 7 to 13 and CEGEP.
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