Christina Whitenton Papers on Social Justice

The World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance was a conference organized in 2001 by the United Nations, held at the Durban International Convention Centre, in Durban, South Africa from August 31 to September 7. The conference, also known as Durban I, was part of a broader initiative of the United Nations of holding events against racism and racial discrimination. Other important and related conferences were the First and Second World Conference to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination, held in 1978 and 1983, respectively. In 2009, the United Nations organized a Second World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, known as Durban Review Conference or Durban II. In 2011, a United National General Assembly meeting to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Durban I was held in New York City. It became known as Durban III. At Durban I, The Durban Declaration and Programme of Action was adopted by the governmental delegates attending the Conference with the exception of two delegations: the United States and Israel. Two main controversial issues were discussed and resulted in the withdrawal of the two delegations mentioned: the issue of compensation for colonialism and slavery and the issue of associating Zionism with racism. The NGO Forum was a forum held separate from the conference that lasted from August 28 to September 1st 2001. More than 8,000 representatives from more than three thousands NGOs attended the forum which adopted an official declaration.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Hancock County, located 100 miles southeast of Atlanta, is home to three non-profit organizations whose material is included in this collection. According to the 2010 census, Hancock population was approximately 9,500, with more than 80% being African American. In 1990, a company received government approval to build a recycling/waste facility about six miles of Sparta, the largest city in the county. This event created opposition from residents and environmentalists. Hancock County Community Collaborative was a non-profit organization in Hancock county whose main goal was to improve the social, economic, environmental, and political conditions of the families who lived in the county. The Center for Community Development was a Hancock non-profit organization focused on issues of education, training, housing, and cultural activities. Environmental Community Action (Eco-action) is a non-profit organization whose work confronts environmental health threats. Eco-action focus is on providing assistance and training to people outside the traditional circles of power and influence.