| The recently-concluded World
Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia
and Related Intolerance constituted what was probably the
greatest gathering of idealists and activists in recent times.
It was, however, the realists there present who, through their
steadying influence on the tiller of diplomacy, guided the
deliberations through very choppy seas.
It is difficult to imagine a
more solid basis for consensus than the struggle against
racism, yet on many occasions during the Conference, the whole
exercise seemed in imminent danger of being scuppered by
much-publicised disagreements (the Middle East, slavery,
colonialism, etc.), the threatened withdrawal of the United
States delegation and the actual withdrawal of the Israeli
delegation.
The term “racism” is
highly-charged and it has a whole gamut of sinister and
threatening meanings for different people. There lies the rub.
Attempts at the Conference to define racism as broadly and as
meticulously as possible stymied attempts to achieve
consensus. Is it right to introduce the water of pragmatism
into the wine of idealism – even to make the contents of the
cup more palatable to the greatest possible number? The
question is perplexing.
International human rights
declarations – such as the one forged at the Durban Conference
– generally attract more than their fair share of cynicism.
Their tenor is, almost by definition, aspirational and the
consistent refusal of certain major world powers (round up the
usual suspects here!) to ratify and/or implement them detracts
from their credibility. The habitual absence of any kind of
enforcement mechanisms further deprives them of their desired
vigour. Altruism is therefore expected to carry the day.
This altruism must be matched
by a veritable root-and-branch approach to the struggle
against racism. Thus, the success of the Conference should not
be measured purely in terms of the robustness of the language
employed in its Final Declaration and Programme of Action. Nor
is the number of signatory states to that Declaration alone a
suitable barometer for determining its success. These
considerations are, of course, important, but the intense
glare of publicity surrounding divisive issues at the
Conference should not black out all of its very laudable
achievements.
The common, unifying goal of
participants in the Conference was to devise strategies for
rejecting the heritage of hatred bequeathed to the world of
today by the centuries of the past. A truly global platform
was provided. Upwards of 17,000 people attended the
Conference, according to its organisers. Opinions were
articulated; experiences recounted; strategies debated and
best practices shared. Tireless networking and lobbying took
place. Questioning and listening modes prevailed. The whole
experience was highly instructive. Those in attendance will
return to their home countries enriched and invigorated and
will doubtless redouble their efforts to combat racism in all
of its odious manifestations. Thus, the real impact of the
Conference ought to be gauged by its ability to transcend the
rhetoric of its concluding documents (designed for
Governments), and the ability of its lessons to prove their
practical relevance to the everyday lives of those they
purport to protect.
The World Conference afforded
the UN a timely opportunity to re-examine its vision and
recalibrate its strategies vis-à-vis racism. The highly
symbolic decision to host the Conference in post-apartheid
South Africa – a country resolutely struggling to vanquish its
sordid, racist past - was a masterstroke. The words of Nobel
Laureate and UN Goodwill Ambassador, Seamus Heaney, could
easily be applied to the optimism and sense of historical
importance underpinning the Conference: “…once in a lifetime /
The longed-for tidal wave / Of justice can rise up, / And hope
and history rhyme.” The Conference has taken its course and
the next challenge will be the long and arduous follow-up
process. It is to be hoped that any lingering differences and
difficulties can be surmounted, allowing all parties to rally
to the cry of “surf's up”!
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