March 21 is the ' International Day of Elimination of Racial Discrimination'. It was on this day in 1960 when police opened fire and killed several people who were peacefully demonstrating against Apartheid in South Africa. This led to the UN General Assembly calling upon the international community to redouble its efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination. Subsequently, the Apartheid system was abolished, yet many individuals and communities continue to suffer from injustice and stigma that racism brings.

Ever since its inception the United Nations has been concerned about this issue and has adopted the following measures to eliminate racism.

Together:

Together is a global initiative that promote respect, safety and dignity for everyone who has been forced to flee their country in the hope of a better life. It brings together its 193 member countries, civil society, academic institutions and individual citizens around the globe to recognize the beauty in diversity, to support non discrimination and accept the refugees. It helps host communities and refugees and migrants to know each other better. 

Canada has set an excellent example by welcoming refugees with open arms. Families there adopt the refugees and help them settle there by providing them with education and employment.

Lets Fight Racism:

Lets fight Racism is a social media campaign launched by the United Nations to engage with general public. The campaign helps to spread awareness about the need to stop racism. It encourages one to take part by sharing stories, videos and e-cards and also informs about UN's Global Action Plan to combat racism. It also suggests Twitter and Facebook friendly updates that one can share with friends and family to spread the word.

It also encourages people to read books written by authors of other races and ethnicity so that we can understand their perspective. In other words it gets us involved in the campaign to fight racism in the world.

International Decade for People of African Descent 2015-2024:

There are around 200 million people of African descent living in America and millions more living in other parts of the world outside Africa. Studies show that they constitute the marginalized society and have limited access to education, health services and social security. They are often subject to discrimination in their access to justice and face high rates of police violence and racial profiling.

The International Decade for People of African Descent is proclaimed by the General Assembly to be observed from 2015 to 2024 and provides a solid framework for the UN and people of African descent to take measures for the implementation of activities that will give them recognition, justice and promote their development.

Other than proposing concrete measures to combat racism, xenophobia and related intolerance, it also underlines the important contribution made by people of African descent to the world.

While some countries in the world are taking steps to combat racial discrimination, there is still much more left to be done. Our world is reeling under hate crimes and refugee crisis. We need to heal the world and one effective way to do is to speak up against discrimination and let it be known that we oppose it. 

When a vulnerable person is abused or bullied we must step in to stop it. Stricter laws should be made to punish the offenders.

We are the world and we must remember that people all over the world belonging to different race, colour and religions are actually united by a common thread of inner conscience which underlines feelings of love and togetherness.