Coalition of Cities against Discrimination in Asia and the Pacific

The Coalition of Cities against Discrimination in Asia and the Pacific (APCaRD) was officially founded on 4 August 2006, in Bangkok (Thailand), during the Regional Conference of Cities for an Inclusive Society in Asia and the Pacific organized jointly by UNESCO and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).

The long-term objective of the APCaRD is to provide local authorities with an operational programme that will allow a more efficient implementation of policies for a greater social inclusion of their city dwellers in the full respect of their human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural or any other field of public life. Through a series of consultations, a Ten-point Commitment relevant to Asia and the Pacific [PDF, 494 KB] has been elaborated, composed of 10 commitments covering different areas of competence of local authorities such as education, culture, housing and employment.

The signatories will commit themselves to using their full range of political power to counteract discrimination and exclusion through the implementation of the Ten-Point Commitment. Each signatory will be responsible for establishing, coordinating and/or implementing the local policies against racism and discrimination. This will be based, in particular, on a consultation process with those subjected to racism and discrimination as well as in close collaboration with actors of civil society (NGOs, academics, associations, etc.).

Check the list of members of the Coalition

How to join the Coalition?

The Coalition will remain open for signature by the cities and municipalities in the region wishing to join this network on the basis of the "Ten-Point Commitment".

  • Step 1) Signing of a Statement of Intent [PDF, 14 KB] conveying the strong interest of the municipality for membership in the Coalition and its Ten-Point Commitment.

  • Step 2) Signing of an Act of Accession and Commitment [PDF, 129 KB] by which the municipality agrees to adhere the Coalition and its Ten-Point Commitment. The municipality thus agrees to implement this Commitment by incorporating it into municipal policies and strategies according to its own needs, priorities and capacities as well as allocating appropriate resources, and submits to the Administrative Secretariat its specific plan of implementation.

Resources

More information can be found on the website of the UNESCO Office in Bangkok

Contact

Ms Sarinya Sophia
Regional Unit for Social and Human Sciences in Asia and the Pacific (RUSHSAP)
UNESCO Office in Bangkok
920 Sukhumvit Road, Prakanong, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Fax: +66 (0)2 291 0866
E-mail: s.sophia(at)unescobkk.org

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