Combatting
Racism: How much have we
achieved?
Notes for remarks by
Hon. David Kilgour, M.P.,
Secretary of State (Latin
America and Africa)
The public forum in celebration
of the International Day
for the Elimination of Racism
Edmonton, March 20, 1999
It is an honour to be with
you today to participate
in this forum organized
in celebration of the International
Day for the Elimination
of Racial Discrimination.
Governments around the
world have imposed upon
themselves the duty to eliminate
racism and racial discrimination.
Since 1989, the Government
of Canada has sponsored
a campaign to eliminate
racism, which culminates
every year on March 21st.
On this day, people of Canada
will join us gathered here
to renew our belief in mutual
understanding, respect,
equality and justice.
The strength of this campaign
is built on partnerships
between key sectors of society;
all levels of government,
education, justice, labour,
businesses, media, community
and volunteer groups, and
individual Canadians.
Without doubt, cross-cultural
understanding in Canada
has improved. Racial prejudice
has become much less socially
acceptable, than it once
was. Although blatant racism
is marginal and the social
distance between communities,
minorities and other groups
is diminishing, racism still
exists.
Many observers argue, that
discrimination persists
in more concealed forms.
Some people hide real attitudes,
discriminate in a covert
manner, and tolerate discriminating
institutions. Immigrants
in particular are vulnerable
to such attitudes and forms
of discrimination.
The saddest thing is what
racial discrimination can
do to our children and young
people. Our schools need
to address the challenge
of adjusting to differences
of race, language, tradition
and backgrounds more effectively.
That is why our government’s
campaign has focused extensively
on the importance of youth
in achieving a racism-free
society. The on-going campaign
is encouraging young people
to participate in activities
oriented on promotion of
a culturally diversified
society.
Vibrant ethnic communities
are pivotal to the future
prosperity of Canada. We
must ensure that racism
is not part of that future.
The Vietnamese community
and Edmonton Viets Association,
our host today, has shown
itself to be a valued component
of Canada, of Alberta, and
of the city of Edmonton.
Today we will be taking
time to reflect not on the
damage caused by racism
but to celebrate our success
in fighting it.
Our diversity is our strength,
we are made greater than
the sum of our parts. It
is an occasion like this
at which we can all appreciate
how the different communities
of Canada make a positive
contribution to the further
development of our open
and diverse society. We
should be thankful for these
contributions and for our
society’s commitment
to welcoming new ideas and
new cultures.
Meetings like this educate
the public and encourage
the community to involve
themselves in the effort
against racism.
On behalf of the federal
Government I extend greetings
and congratulations to the
Edmonton Viets Association
for being a part of an organized
effort to sensitize all
people to the existence
of the International Day
for the Elimination of Racial
Discrimination and to make
people more aware of racism
and its consequences.
I also express my gratitude
for the strong presence
of the Vietnamese-Canadian
community here in Edmonton,
as well as continued contribution
to the Canadian society.
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