Conference "Vienna against racism: How do experiences of racism affect young people?"

To mark the International Day against Racism, the Department of Integration and Diversity is organizing a symposium in cooperation with the ZARA association and the Vienna Ombuds Office for Children and Youths.

  • Topic: Symposium with keynote speeches, panel discussion and a networking café on the effects of experiences of racism on young people’s participation, opportunities and sense of belonging in areas of life such as leisure, public space, social media, education and health
  • Goals: Raise awareness of the issues, expand knowledge, listen to young people and empower them, promote and deepen networking of committed initiatives
  • Target group: People from politics and administration, civil society, experts, young people and other interest groups
  • Date: Friday, March 21, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
  • Venue: 1st, Lichtenfelsgasse 2, Vienna City Hall, Volkshalle
  • Registration is possible online.
  • Participation is free of charge.
  • Information on accessibility

Program

  • 8.30 am: Arrival and registration
  • 9 a.m.: Welcome by representatives of the City of Vienna
  • 9.20 a.m.: Speech by Zara Agtas (winner of the multilingual speech competition SAG’S MULTI 2023/2024)
  • 9.30 a.m.: Keynote speech: “Recent findings and research of the EU Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) on adolescents’ and young adults’ experiences with everyday, institutional and structural racism” by Rossalina Latcheva (Head of Antiracism and Non-Discrimination, Gender Equality, Roma and Social Rights Unit)
  • 10 am: Impulses from the ZARA Racism Report 2024 by Fiorentina Azizi-Hacker (Head of the ZARA Counseling Centers)
  • 10.10 am: Keynote speech on the topic “Invisible obstacles, tangible consequences: How racist structures work” by Ümmü-Selime Türe (cultural and social anthropologist, psychosocial counselor)
  • 10.40 a.m.: Information and networking café with initiatives/organizations critical of racism
  • 11.20 a.m.: Vienna Ombuds Office for Children and Youths (KIJA): Support services for Viennese pupils in cases of racial discrimination
  • 11.25 am: Panel “Experiences from educational and counseling work for adolescents and young adults affected by racism” with representatives from Aktion kritischer Schüler_innen (AKS), fairplay (VIDC), Interface Vienna, Vienna Youth Centers, Black Women’s Community and ZARA
  • 12.20 p.m.: Keynote speech on “Echo chambers, identity and exclusion – the unnoticed violence of everyday racism” by Melinda Tamás (human rights consultant, adult educator, university lecturer)
  • 12.50 p.m.: Closing remarks by Rita Isiba (Managing Director ZARA) and others
  • 1.15 p.m.: Closing and buffet
  • Moderation: Iris Neuberg
  • Concept and organization: Karin König, Tamara Stanzinger – City of Vienna – Integration and Diversity(MA 17)

Accessibility

The event is accessible for wheelchair users. It is possible to read the transcription of what is said on a monitor. If you would like to take advantage of this offer, please send an email to post@ma17.wien.gv.at or let us know when you register.

Privacy

Information on data protection and your rights as a data subject: Data protection information

Participating organizations/initiatives

Counseling Center for Migrants, Docustelle Islamfeindlichkeit und antimuslimischer Rassismus, Initiative für ein diskriminierungsfreies Bildungswesen (IDB), Verein Cult, Fremde werden Freunde/AZIMA, fairplay (VIDC), Gleichbehandlungsanwaltschaft, Interface Wien, Vienna Ombuds Office for Children and Youths (KIJA), Klagsverband für die Rechte von Opfern von Diskriminierung, Romano Centro, Schwarze Frauen Community, Wiener Jugendzentren, Rat auf Draht, Stelle zur Bekämpfung von Diskriminierungen (UBSB), WienXtra, Menschenrechtsbüro der Stadt Wien, ZARA

Excerpt from Original – City of Vienna, March 7, 2025