Provincial Government Proclaims International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

  • Advanced Education, Skills and Labour
  • Education and Early Childhood Development

March 21, 2018

The Honourable Al Hawkins, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour, and the Honourable Dale Kirby, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, joined Dr. Lloydetta Quaicoe, founder of Sharing Our Cultures, to proclaim March 21 as International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in Newfoundland and Labrador.

March 21 is the 58th anniversary of the Sharpeville Massacre, when South African police opened fire on a peaceful demonstration against apartheid, killing 69 people. The brutality of the murders galvanized supporters of equality and the date quickly became symbolic of combatting racism.

In 1966, the anniversary was proclaimed International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination by the General Assembly of the United Nations. Since then, governments around the world have recognized this important date annually.

The Provincial Government believes equal opportunity and equitable treatment should exist for all people and the province’s annual Multiculturalism Week, which runs from March 18 to 24, is timed to coincide with the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Quotes “There is absolutely no tolerance for racial discrimination in our province. Newfoundlanders and Labradorians of all backgrounds are entitled to equal opportunity and respect. I encourage everyone to protect our diverse, multicultural society by standing up against racial discrimination and all forms of prejudice at all times, with no exceptions.” Honourable Al Hawkins Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour

“I firmly believe that by accepting and welcoming everyone, fostering cross-cultural collaboration, and creating an appreciation for cultural diversity here at home sets a standard that can be an example for others on the shared path to eliminating racial discrimination throughout the world.” Honourable Dale Kirby Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development

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The Honourable Al Hawkins, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour, and the Honourable Dale Kirby, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, join Dr. Lloydetta Quaicoe, founder of Sharing Our Cultures, to proclaim March 21 the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Honourable Al Hawkins, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour, and the Honourable Dale Kirby, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, join Dr. Lloydetta Quaicoe, founder of Sharing Our Cultures, to proclaim March 21 the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in Newfoundland and Labrador.

 

Learn More International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination – www.un.org/en/events/racialdiscriminationday/

Provincial Government Announces Funding for Multiculturalism Week Events – gov.nl.ca/releases/2018/aesl/0315n03.aspx

The Way Forward on Immigration in Newfoundland and Labrador – www.aesl.gov.nl.ca/publications/pdf/ImmigrationPlan.pdf

Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism – nlimmigration.ca

Follow us on Twitter: @GovNL and @AESL_GovNL

Media contact
Ryan Crocker 
Advanced Education, Skills and Labour
709-729-1795, 725-9595
RyanCrocker@gov.nl.ca

Tina Coffey
Education and Early Childhood Development
709-729-1692, 728-8650
tcoffey@gov.nl.ca

2018 03 21 1:40 pm