Durban Review Conference

Durban Review Conference. The Durban Review Conference was a major international conference held in Geneva, Switzerland, from April 20-24, 2009, to review the progress made in implementing the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action adopted at the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance in Durban, South Africa, in 2001. The conference was attended by representatives from over 100 countries, including United Nations member states, European Union member states, and African Union member states, as well as NGOs such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. The conference aimed to assess the implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and to identify new challenges and opportunities for combating Racism, Racial discrimination, Xenophobia, and related forms of Intolerance, with the support of organizations such as the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the International Labour Organization.

● Introduction

The Durban Review Conference was a significant event in the global effort to combat Racism, Racial discrimination, Xenophobia, and related forms of Intolerance, building on the work of previous conferences such as the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance and the United Nations World Conference on Human Rights. The conference was organized by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and was attended by high-level representatives from governments, NGOs, and international organizations, including the European Commission, the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. The conference provided a platform for discussing the implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and for identifying new challenges and opportunities for combating Racism, Racial discrimination, Xenophobia, and related forms of Intolerance, with the participation of experts from institutions such as the University of Oxford, Harvard University, and the Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris.

● Background

The Durban Review Conference was held in response to the growing concern about the persistence of Racism, Racial discrimination, Xenophobia, and related forms of Intolerance around the world, as highlighted by organizations such as the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Anti-Defamation League. The conference built on the momentum generated by the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance in Durban, South Africa, in 2001, which adopted the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, a comprehensive plan of action to combat Racism, Racial discrimination, Xenophobia, and related forms of Intolerance, with the support of governments such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The conference also drew on the experiences and lessons learned from other international conferences, such as the United Nations World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna, Austria, in 1993, and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, China, in 1995, as well as the work of organizations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations Children's Fund.

● Conference Proceedings

The Durban Review Conference was a four-day event that featured a series of plenary sessions, panel discussions, and interactive dialogues, with the participation of high-level representatives from governments, NGOs, and international organizations, including the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, and the World Health Organization. The conference addressed a range of themes, including the implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, the fight against Racism, Racial discrimination, Xenophobia, and related forms of Intolerance, and the promotion of Tolerance, Diversity, and Inclusion, with the support of organizations such as the Open Society Foundations and the Ford Foundation. The conference also provided a platform for discussing new challenges and opportunities for combating Racism, Racial discrimination, Xenophobia, and related forms of Intolerance, such as the impact of Globalization, Migration, and Technological change on Racism and Xenophobia, as highlighted by experts from institutions such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of California, Berkeley, and the London School of Economics.

● Outcome and Legacy

The Durban Review Conference adopted a comprehensive outcome document, which outlined a range of recommendations and commitments to combat Racism, Racial discrimination, Xenophobia, and related forms of Intolerance, with the support of governments such as France, Germany, and Italy. The conference also established a follow-up mechanism to monitor the implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and to provide technical assistance and support to countries in their efforts to combat Racism, Racial discrimination, Xenophobia, and related forms of Intolerance, with the participation of organizations such as the United Nations Development Programme and the International Labour Organization. The conference's outcome and legacy have been widely recognized and praised by governments, NGOs, and international organizations, including the European Union, the African Union, and the Organization of American States, as well as institutions such as the University of Cambridge, the University of Melbourne, and the National University of Singapore.

● Controversies and Criticisms

Despite its significance and achievements, the Durban Review Conference was not without controversy and criticism, with some countries, including United States, Canada, and Israel, boycotting the conference due to concerns about Anti-Semitism and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as highlighted by organizations such as the American Jewish Committee and the Simon Wiesenthal Center. Some NGOs and international organizations also criticized the conference for not doing enough to address the root causes of Racism, Racial discrimination, Xenophobia, and related forms of Intolerance, and for not providing sufficient support to victims of Racism and Xenophobia, as noted by experts from institutions such as the Columbia University, the University of Chicago, and the Australian National University. However, the conference's outcome and legacy have been widely recognized and praised by many governments, NGOs, and international organizations, including the United Nations, the European Union, and the African Union, as well as institutions such as the University of Oxford, Harvard University, and the Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris.

● Follow-up and Implementation

The follow-up and implementation of the Durban Review Conference's outcome document have been ongoing, with the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights playing a key role in monitoring the implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and providing technical assistance and support to countries, with the participation of organizations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations Children's Fund. The conference's outcome and legacy have also been recognized and built upon by other international conferences and processes, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement on climate change, as well as the work of institutions such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Overall, the Durban Review Conference has made a significant contribution to the global effort to combat Racism, Racial discrimination, Xenophobia, and related forms of Intolerance, and its outcome and legacy continue to inspire and guide efforts to promote Tolerance, Diversity, and Inclusion around the world, with the support of governments, NGOs, and international organizations, including the European Commission, the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.

Category:United Nations conferences