| Notice to the Press Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC June 14, 2001 Live Discussion by Participants in the International Visitor Program "Building Community in a Diverse Society"The State Department is pleased to announce a unique opportunity to hear and join in live discussion by participants in an International Visitor program who have been in the U.S. since mid-May sharing and gaining insights into the global struggle against all forms of bigotry. Fourteen leaders in enhancing diversity and understanding in their home countries of Brazil, Chile, Croatia, Estonia, Germany, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Israel, Latvia, Rwanda, South Africa (two participants) and Zimbabwe will take part in a live voice conference on Friday, June 15, from 12:30 to 1:30 EDT. The exchange will open up to questions from callers at 1:00. Detailed instructions on participation in and subsequent access to the discussion are provided below. The State Department International Visitor program on "Building Community in a Diverse Society" is co-sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ Office of International Visitors and the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. The program, part of the Department’s preparation for the upcoming United Nations World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance (to be held in Durban, South Africa, August 31 - September 7), has brought together international participants from a variety of government agencies, non-governmental organizations and educational institutions. The group has interacted with a cross-section of American counterparts in Washington, DC, Philadelphia, Minneapolis, San Francisco, and Atlanta to share best practices and lessons learned in efforts to increase tolerance of differences. The program concludes June 15 in Atlanta with a participant-led workshop entitled The Next Step: Building International Networks, to discuss strategies to promote the principles of an inclusive, pluralistic society. Live Voice-Conference Schedule 12:30 p.m. EDT - Voice-conference opens with Debra A. Carr, Chair, Inter-Agency Task Force for the United Nations World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia, and Related Intolerance. 1:00 p.m. EDT - Voice-conference opens for questions from embassies, media representatives, and other callers and ends at approximately 1:30 p.m. EDT.To hear this live discussion on Friday, June 15, beginning at 12:30 p.m. EDT, dial: Toll free 888-855-5428 or 719-457-2665, code: 578329 To be placed on the priority caller list for the Question and Answer session, contact: Catherine Stearns, U.S. Department of State, (202) 203-5107 or cstearns@pd.state.gov. To access replay of this discussion for up to one week later, dial: 888-203-1112 or 719-457-0820, code: 578329 |
 | |||
|
