Kharkiv, Ukraine
“No to racism, No hate!”
Representatives from Gressus - Association of Young Roma in Ukraine
Cities of Europe, took a stand against racism and celebrated diversity by joining the Action Week 2017 campaign!
Many city mayors and representatives from across Europe had shown their support and made sure that the 2017 message was clear: “Don’t be divided – Stay UNITED!”.
“No to racism, No hate!”
Representatives from Gressus - Association of Young Roma in Ukraine
“OXLO, Oslo Extra Large – a city for all is the City of Oslo’s vision for an open and inclusive city, irrespective of ethnic or cultural origin, religion, sexual orientation and gender identity, disability, age, gender, or other background. OXLO was created unanimously by the City of Oslo’s city council following the tragic racially motivated murder of 15-year-old Benjamin Hermansen in 2001. The values of OXLO are that Oslo should aim to be a city where everyone has equal opportunities and equal value, and were we say firmly no to racism, discrimination and differential treatment.”
OXLO – the City of Oslo’s overarching umbrella for diversity
“At times when terrorism, nationalism and racism grow again trying to divide us it is extremely important to stick together. Only together are we at our strongest and able to continue our fight against all forms of discrimination and towards equality, diversity and freedom. Participating in the Week Against Racism Vienna is commiting itself to persist in its fight against Racism and showing solidarity with all fellow European cities.”
Executive City Councillor for Education, Integration, Youth and Personnel, Jürgen Czernohorszky; Ursula Struppe, head of Municipal Department 17 - Integration and Diversity and Human Rights Coordinator Shams Asadi
“Bilbao City Council is committed to developing an intercultural society, where differences are accommodated in a framework of equality, by fighting against any type of discrimination and fostering a wealth of resources for each citizen to work together in the development of the city”
Itziar Urtasun, Bilbao City Councillor for Equality, Cooperation and Coexistence
“There is a red wire joining the madness that led to the Holocaust, as well as to the Roma and Armenian genocides, to the logic of death by acts of terror that have recently bloodied Europe and the world. Because, then as now, evil is always lurking outside and inside us. You need to remain vigilant and learn to recognize it in all its forms, to keep it under control and be able to counter by doing good.
Confronted with the horror of the concentration camps, the barbarism of blind violence, the inhuman project of annihilation of individuals and peoples, we are tempted to look away, so much the pain hurts deep our hearts. But evil grows thanks to this looking the other way, because the responsibility of those who perform it adds that of those who do nothing to prevent it.
We are all called every day to make choices, small or large. We mustn’t make the mistake of thinking that it ultimately matters little whether our choices are oriented in one direction or another. The story is written by each of us, with small daily gestures that, combined with those of other men and women, can fuel hatred or indifference, or help build a present - and a future - of peace.”
Luigi Brugnaro, Mayor of Venice
“Each city has its own story.. Ours is a beautiful, peaceful and colorful one told in Albanian, Macedonian, Roma and Turkish, cherished and nurtured by a variety of cultural symbols, seen through the lenses of Islam and Christianity and lived in the simplicity of common human needs, dreams and aspirations. Therefore, we stand united behind our natural urge to love, respect and enjoy the perfect interplay of diversity in our society. Our city is a vibrant mixture of ethnicities, cultures and religions and we wouldn’t even imagine to have it any other way.”
Teuta Arifi, Mayor of Tetovo
“Stay UNITED in the last divided capital…
Nicosia is the last divided capital of Europe but a spirit that sees hope in change and change in unity is alive.
We currently go through the European Action Week against Racism and Nicosia Municipality will actively participate.
We embrace diversity, and we work hard to provide equal opportunities to all our citizens no matter what their nationality, color, sex, religion, disability, or living standards are.
The migration issues and the presence of immigrants in Nicosia, for years now, has been a matter of concern for Nicosia Municipality. As the percentage of foreign nationals have reached 34.76% within the walled city of Nicosia as local authority, we couldn’t ignore the need for the development of an integrated social policy strategy, which includes a series of programs and voluntary work, donations and contributions to organized groups performing social work. All individuals no matter what their background is, they are allowed to have equal access to services and prosperity.
Cultural diversities should not divide us; instead they should empower us and consolidate us, as a society. We work, together for a healthier society and a better prospect for everyone.”
Constantinos Yiorkadjis, Mayor of Nicosia