International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
BONSECOURS MARKET AND THE "CITÉ DU RAPPROCHEMENT"MONTREAL, March 21, 1998 -- The Secretary of State (Multiculturalism) (Status of Women), the Honourable Hedy Fry, Mr. Pierre Bourque, Mayor of Montréal, and Dr. Bernard Paquet, Mayor of Ville Saint-Laurent and President of the Commission du développement économique de la Communauté urbaine de Montréal (CUM), are proud to be associated to the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination with the launching of the "Cité du rapprochement". The event will be held today and tomorrow at the Bonsecours Market in Old Montreal.
Presented by Tolérance Montréal and Open City Productions 2002, the Cité du rapprochement is an interactive, artistic and intercultural event for the whole family aimed at raising public awareness on mutual understanding, discrimination and human rights. According to spokesperson and cultural journalist Francine Grimaldi, participants will be able to view a "marketplace of understanding," an interactive exhibition and a "Caravan of Tolerance". Everyone is invited to attend between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., and it is free!
"This cultural and artistic event is an example of harmony in which values of respect, comprehension and cooperation take on their full meaning," noted Dr. Fry. "It is through these values that we will realize our dreams and hopes for humanity."
"The peaceful coexistence of several different ethnocultural communities makes Montreal an incredibly rich place to live," said Mayor Bourque. "Cosmopolitan societies enjoy a number of major strategic advantages, especially in a context of economic globalization. The Cité du rapprochement gives the public a superb opportunity for intercultural exchange and enhancement."
"The CUM's participation in organizing the Cité du rapprochement is part of an ongoing, mutual effort to promote tolerance and equality for all, as well as to continue the fight against racial discrimination and assure all citizens that they belong to the Community," added Dr. Paquet.
Every year for the past ten years, activities have been organized across the country in honour of the March 21 Campaign to eliminate racial discrimination. These activities are intended to encourage all citizens, individually and collectively, to examine the issue of racism and racial discrimination.
This year, in addition to celebrating the 10th anniversary of the March 21 Campaign, we are also observing the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was drafted by Canadian John Peters Humphrey and adopted by the United Nations in 1948. Canada is recognized throughout the world as a model for human rights.March 21 was chosen by the United Nations to commemorate the massacre of peaceful demonstrators during a march against apartheid in Sharpeville, South Africa on
March 21, 1960.
Information:
Céline de Guise
Communications
Canadian Heritage
(514) 283-1544
Jean Savard
Ville de Montréal
(514) 872-6013
Richard Leblanc
Communauté urbaine de Montréal
(514) 280-3854
Cell. : (514) 386-2186
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