UNITED for Intercultural Action, together with the Center for Interethnic Cooperation, is happy to announce the upcoming conference in Anapa, Russia. This will be the opening conference of a 2-year project supporting minority groups and youth organizations in Russia. During the conference representatives of youth organisations and local authorities of 9 regions of Russia, as well as local media will be informed about the project and will discuss its methods.
See attached draft program.

There will be space for a limited number of (preferably Russian speaking) foreign participants to participate in the event. Unfortunately we cannot contribute to travelcosts and can only offer very limited interpretation to english. Please be aware a visa to Russia might be needed.

If you wish to nominate a delegate, please send us the name, age, address, sending organization, contact information, language skills, a short motivation for the participation, and whether visa is needed.
Deadline for nomination is 6 June 2009. Selected participants will be contacted soon after.

The main aims of the conference are:
-Discussion of reasons for the existence of racist and xenophobic attitudes in Russia, especially among young people
-Introduction to working methods of youth organisations in Europe in the field of opposing xenophobia and discrimination and promoting human rights and active youth participation
-Working out recommendations for the joint work of youth organizations in Russia to spread ideas of tolerance among youth.

Participants of the opening conference will be:
Representatives (ethnic/youth organisations and local authorities) of the following Russian regions: Krasnodar, Astrakhan, Samara, Sverdlovsk, Orenburg, Republic of Karelia, Irkutsk.
Representatives of the UNITED network and Center for Interethnic Cooperation.