International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

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The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is celebrated each year on the 21st March, the anniversary of the date in 1960 when police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against the apartheid "pass laws" in Sharpeville, South Africa,. Proclaiming the Day in 1966, the General Assembly of the United Nations called on the international community to redouble its efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination.

The day is celebrated in differing ways around the world, some countries being very proactive in their observance, whilst in others it barely raises comment other than in circles and communities close to the issue.

In South Africa, for example, the day is known as Human Rights Day.

In New Zealand it is also known as "Race Relations Day: Te Rä Whanaungatanga" and is a day for reconciliation, peace and friendship between the immigrant communities, including the Polynesian and Melanesian peoples and the indigenous Maoris. Across the whole of the country there are festivities and community activities involving families, friends, communities, schools, workplaces, churches, media and other public groups.

The Government of New Zealand plays a significant role in promoting the day, and supports a number of events and activities which take place in the weeks preceding (and in some cases after) Race Relations Day, and on the day itself. A national programme of multi-ethnic festivals is organised by ethnic councils and local authorities each year. Promotional material is made available free of charge to schools and organisations from the Human Rights Commission in New Zealand.

In Canada, a similar day of pro-active action is called the "March 21 Campaign".

Although low-key, in terms of publicity and awareness campaigning, across the UK many schools undertake a wide variety of projects to support the aims of this UNESCO event.