International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
The UN General Assembly resolution 2142 (XXI), adopted on 26 October 1966, proclaimed 21 March as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination to be commemorated annually. On that day, in 1960, police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa, against the apartheid "pass laws". Proclaiming the Day in 1966 which signifies the struggle to end the policy of apartheid in South Africa, the General Assembly called on the international community to redouble its efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination.
Over the years, UNESCO has celebrated the International Day by organizing events in Headquarters and its field offices, as well as in cooperation with the member cities of the International Coalition of Inclusive and Sustainable Cities – ICCAR.
The struggle against racial discrimination is a central element of UNESCO's work to build peace in the minds of men and women.
On 16 November 1945, when the world was still discovering the horror of the crimes committed in the name of racist and antisemitic ideologies, UNESCO was founded to build peace in the minds of men and women and to combat hatred.
At a time when divisions and rifts continue to plague humanity, this mission unfortunately remains exceedingly urgent. Everywhere, conflicts and crises aggravate inequalities and reawaken prejudices.
This is why UNESCO continues to redouble its efforts in the fight for human dignity worldwide.
What UNESCO does for the elimination of discrimination
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