UNITED for Intercultural Action

Description

UNITED for Intercultural Action is a European network of civil society organizations working against nationalism, racism and fascism and in support of migrants, refugees and minorities. It brings together more than 560 supporter organizations from around 46 European countries, ranging from local grassroots groups to national and international NGOs. The network began in 1992, when participants of two anti-racist youth seminars in Strasbourg decided to build it, and was formally registered in 1993; its secretariat is based in Amsterdam.

UNITED coordinates European-wide campaigns, organizes international conferences, and carries out advocacy and lobbying at the European Commission, the Council of Europe and the OSCE. It runs three recurring annual campaigns tied to fixed dates, against racism, in support of refugees, and against fascism and antisemitism, and supplies participating groups with free campaign materials. It also holds participatory status at the Council of Europe and special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

Since 1993 the network has documented deaths of refugees and migrants linked to the building of what it calls Fortress Europe, publishing a widely cited list used by researchers, journalists and advocates. It also produces the European Address Book Against Racism, a directory of thousands of anti-racist organizations, along with a regularly updated events calendar and information leaflets written by activists from within the network.

UNITED relies on voluntary cooperation and a mix of supporter contributions, foundations and public funding to remain independent of political parties and national governments. Its work is carried out by a small secretariat staff supported by international volunteers, and network conferences and campaigns are shaped by member organizations from across Europe.