Education International welcomes the initiative taken by CNTE, its affiliate in Brazil, with the campaign ‘A world cup without racism’. It seeks the teachers’ active involvement against discrimination, from the classroom to the football field.
Racism is crime
The National Confederation of Workers in Education (CNTE) has launched a permanent campaign under the slogan "Racism is crime,” which aims to put the respect for diversity on the agenda. The campaign’s first concrete action is geared towards the World Cup, under the motto “A Cup without racism." it intends to go beyond the classrooms, onto the pitch and into the football stadiums, showing what it is like to act together without discrimination.
According to Lêda Leal de Souza, CNTE Secretary in charge of the fight against racism, this action will set a landmark in the understanding of sports ethics. "The goal of this project is the involvement of all education workers and students at this historical moment when people from various countries are in Brazil," he said. "The message we are trying to convey is that the World Cup encompasses all races and that racism is a crime. We are asking everyone to join us, to respect diversity, preserving the spirit of sport combined with our fight for equality. We have to say no to racism! "
Unions throughout Brazil will receive and distribute materials, which include a board game. The idea is that educators wear stickers on their shirts throughout the World Cup denouncing racism. In the second semester of the school year, members of the union will visit different states to follow up with the promoted activities and encourage continued participation in the project.
Milestones in the fight against discrimination
Due to multiple discriminations, black people (who, as a majority, represent 53% of the total population in Brazil) and black women in particular, continue to hold a disadvantaged position in the Brazilian labour market and in society at large.
Some of the key policy actions that have been undertaken to fight this situation so far include:
- On June 9, 2014, Brazilian President Dilma Rouseff signed the draft bill that sets a racial quota of 20% in public services. Its approval is considered a victory in the struggle for racial equality in Brazil, and a strategy that will accelerate the social mobility of the black population in the next decade.
- Back in 2003 President Lula da Silva established the national black consciousness day, which promotes the inclusion of the history of Afro-Brazilians in schools, hitherto non-existent in the country’s educational curriculum.
- November 20th is the day in which Brazil commemorates what is known as National Black Consciousness Day.
- The Secretariat for the Promotion of Racial Equality, was also established the same year to implement the Racial Equality Statute, including quotas in public universities and now in the public service.
Education International's resolution on Respect for Diversiy (2011) includes similar policies, stating that "education is a basic human right which should nurture fair treatment and respect towards all others regardless of race; colour; language; sex; sexual orientation; religion or ethnicity, finding policies and practices to overcome marginalization and enhance inclusion for all”.