Italy's National Office against Racial Discrimination (UNAR) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) have signed a three-year-long protocol of agreement.
UNAR, UNICEF's office for Europe and Central Asia and the Italian committee for UNICEF Fondazione ETS signed a protocol of agreement on Tuesday (July 25). The protocol aims to support inclusion and to help overcome prejudice, racism and discrimination over the next three years. It specifically supports programs for vulnerable minors in Italy, including migrants and refugees.
Anti-discrimination campaign to continue
The protocol allows for an ongoing collaboration between UNICEF and UNAR on unconscious bias to continue -- the campaign 'Ops!', an acronym for 'la tua Opinione oltre ogni Pregiudizio, contro gli Stereotipi' (your opinion beyond any prejudice, against stereotypes).
The campaign worked on initiatives to build the skills of young activists and actions to raise the awareness of teens and youths.
The signature ceremony was attended by Mattia Peradotto, the director general of UNAR, Paolo Rozera, the director general of the Italian committee for UNICEF Fondazione ETS, and Nicola dell'Arciprete, the coordinator in Italy of the UNICEF office for Europe and Central Asia.
"As part of the constant collaboration with civil society, the signature of the protocol with UNICEF represents a strategic element, of fundamental importance, in the prevention and fight against any form of discrimination", said UNAR's Peradotto. "Listening to and discussing with new generations allows us to implement more effective actions to build a fully inclusive and supportive society", he added.
'Prejudice, racism and discrimination can be fought'
"The signature of this protocol represents yet another step forward in guaranteeing equal rights, opportunities and dignity to children and adolescents in our country", stated ETS's Rozera. "Prejudice, racism and discrimination are concepts that can be fought through correct information, through adequate actions to create a social fabric that is able to look at the most vulnerable, not as a threat but as an opportunity", he argued.
"One of the most effective tools to fight discrimination is to promote the right of all children and teens to express their opinions, to be heard and to actively take part in all decisions concerning their lives. This alliance with UNAR is of fundamental importance to create new opportunities to raise awareness and participation", said UNICEF's Dell'Arciprete.