NEWS REPORT

A UNITED conference towards social change

 By Hakeem Babalola

This year’s UNITED Conference will take place in Bratislava from May 16-21 where United for Intercultural Action in partnership with Open Society Foundation, Bratislava, will host about forty three organisations across Europe with focus on a theme titled ‘From Theory to Practice: Creative Action Towards Social Change’.

The five-day Conference ‘seen as catalyst part of a longer process’ is expected to examine, discuss and find solution to sub-themes structured around six working groups – towards social change.

Participants are encouraged to share their knowledge in the areas of Anti-Fascism, Do we need it? Know your Fascists: Data Collection; Let’s get started: Basics for NGO work; Once upon a Time in Fortress Europe; Minorities Voices-Minority Rights; and Working with youth: Methods and Practices.

In addition, there will be presentations, training workshops and plenary session on different topics such as the danger of words, key issues and nationalism in Slovakia, working with victims of hate crimes, extremism and terrorism propaganda, involvement of supporters in preventing or perpetuating hate, creative action towards social awareness.

In order to ensure the success of the conference, only the participants that demonstrated skills to contribute immensely to the overall success of the theme were selected.

Although optional, participants will have free afternoon on Thursday to visit local NGOs, a guided city tour in Bratislava designed to further build and cement integration between the participants and the local organisations.  

The conference which is sponsored by the European Youth Foundation of the Council of Europe and Minority Rights Group Europe will end with evaluation followed by intercultural evening and farewell party on Friday.

UNITED for Intercultural Action prides itself as European network against nationalism, racism, fascism, and in support of migrants and refugees.

Even though UNITED is in an unstable financial situation   there is no doubting its commitment or enthusiasm to social change. Hence the need for a fundraising "lucky dip", in which participants exchange gifts by buying a lottery ticket to be revealed at the Intercultural party on the last day.

UNITED was founded in 1992 as a counter-fight ‘when participants of two anti-racist European youth seminars in Strasbourg decided to set up a network bringing together the movement in all its shades and varieties’.

The conference is prepared by the following organisations:

Enough (SK)

People Against Racism (SK)

Austria Students Union Klagenfurt (A)

Finish youth cooperation Allianssi (FIN)

Folkesagen – worthy Life for Asylum seekers (DK)

Young Mountaineers – Mladi Planinari (MK)

UNITED for Intercultural Action