OSCE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE UNDERWAY IN VIENNA
Over 400 delegates from 55 OSCE member states and representatives of NGOs are participating in the conference.
Within two days, the Conference participants have discussed the way of consolidation of the efforts to combat all manifestations of racism, xenophobia and discrimination especially focusing on defining the role of state organizations or NGOs in rendering assistance to victims of prejudice and discrimination.
Austrian Minister of Foreign Affairs Benita Ferrero-Waldner said in her opening remark that global community must find an acceptable way out of the alarming situation in Europe, Central Asia and North America.
The Conference participants were shown videotape of the US Secretary of State Colin Powel’s address to the effect that after September 11 events, manifestations of mass hatred and intolerance have been intensified, and that people should purify the planet from any form of pollution.
Then, Minister for Multi-Culture of Canada Jean Augustine took the floor. She told of the Canadian Government’s activity noting that the public embodying many world cultures had already been formed in her country. The Minister said native Canadian children’s education level and welfare standards are much lower than that of their coevals’ so far; immigrants hardly integrate into the country’s social life. These problems, according to her, should be solved promptly.
Also addressing the Conference were Chairman of OSCE PA Bruce Jorge, UN Ambassador Piter Ustinov, Doctor of Philosophy of the Turkish University of Hajettepe Doctor Kucharadi and many others.
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