In Ecuador, racism, in addition to being widespread, is structural. Its expression runs through not only individual relationships, but collective relationships as well. Therefore, in response to the invitation of the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE) and the Latin-American Agency of Information (ALAI), representatives of hundreds of organizations, peoples, movements and entities celebrated the National Forum for Diversity and Pluralism in Quito last September 28-30.

The event resulted in a broad-based plan for action and proposals, principally related to a societal project that, founded in the vision of pluralism and diversity, would serve as a basis for the eradication of all forms of discrimination derived from racism, xenophobia and intolerance.

By all accounts, overcoming these negative practices requires both the adoption of economic and social policies that promote a greater balance, as well as the promotion of both individual and collective ethical behavior based on the recognition of diversity.

In fact, it is the indigenous movement, with CONAIE in the forefront, that has drawn together in the last decade expressions, protests and proposals of alternatives to the existing model. In addition, they have maintained viable outlets for the existence of rights for the discriminated communities, such as the recognition of their lands and territories and the expression of their cultures and world views. They have raised their voices against corruption, arbitrary privatization, and increasing exclusion, and have proposed global solutions to the country's crisis.

For their part, the Afro-Ecuadorian organizations participating in the Forum supported the importance of the adoption of legislation that would establish sanctions for racial discrimination - although, the Constitution guarantees non-discrimination and recognizes collective rights, not only have those rights historically been ignored, but living conditions have worsened due to the forced application of the neoliberal model.

The analysis of the impact of xenophobia was approached from two perspectives: that relating to the conditions of emigration, which occurs in ever-growing numbers and results in deportations without respect for human rights; and internal regionalism, whose racist overtones affect local migration. Special attention was given to the rejection of "Plan Colombia", which renders vulnerable those indigenous and Afro-Ecuadorian communities in the border region, as well as those from Columbia seeking asylum.

Intolerance was placed in the context of the conditions created by the combination of racial discrimination and xenophobia with other forms of discrimination - against gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and religious affiliation, among others. An urgent call was made for the application of the constitutional principle that guarantees non-discrimination on all of these grounds.

At the conclusion of the Forum, the participants from all over the country called for the unification of voices and actions in order to put into effect, here and now, a project for a plurinational country in which everyone is free from discrimination.

With the goal of taking these proposals forward, a committee was appointed whose composition reflects the principal of participation of Ecuadorian diversity and pluralism, and constitutes an example of the desire to join forces and create a real and intense process in Ecuador to confront the problems addressed in the III "World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance." (UN/South Africa 2001).

The Many Faces of Racism

"Racism has been institutionalized as a strategy of the dominant class against the poor and those of different nationalities and cultures, in order to govern according to their interests". The biases expressed in the application of the Constitution and justice; in education centered in the promotion of dominant values; in non-inclusive practices; in the minimization of the indigenous culture, creation and science are all expressions of the institutionalization of racism by the dominant class.

"Racism is a weapon that the neoliberal system maintains in order to expand its economic power throughout the world, and therefore it has been in a constant process of perfection and institutionalization. Ecuador and Latin America live under ideological colonization under these criteria; one current manifestation is the hype about scientific advancement that surrounds the discovery of the human genome, whose covert aim is to create a quality human prototype and banish the rest of the societies and cultures of the world" (report of the discussion groups).

The process of globalization has been conceived on racist and discriminatory bases; thus large countries and corporations are parting out the geopolitical areas of the world among themselves, arguing that they are the only ones with the capacity to save and develop it.

The consequences of this hegemony, like social exclusion, are presented as an inevitable fact which the southern communities - and especially the discriminated sectors - must accept as fate.

Similarly, the process of internal political "reorganization", put forth in Ecuador under the pretext of the modernization of the State, promotes the idea of relegating sectors which face discrimination to local, sectoral, or specific areas. Large economic, legal or political decisions are left to technicians, experts and the elite. Even in the local arena, municipal measures tainted by racism have occurred.

The limits imposed on democratic participation in economic and political activities and decisions, as well as the marginalization of organizations' proposals and political action, are expressions of racism, which in the process serve to marginalize women, young people and those not in power.

A Good Constitution but Bad Practices

Thanks to the proposals of the indigenous movement and others, Ecuador has successfully included in its Constitution the most advanced principles of nondiscrimination. However, little has been done to equip citizens with mechanisms to apply them, and therefore, social practices are plagued by racist behavior protected by impunity.

Among the examples given it was evident that even today there exist public places that do not permit the entrance of indigenous people; schools that require indigenous children to cut their traditional long hair and that prohibit indigenous dress, places of employment, housing and public places prohibited to Afro-Ecuadorians.

Because of this, educating the country with a transcultural focus, oriented towards living together peacefully and the recognition of diversity, emerges as an urgent necessity.

Among the measures that can be taken to concretize this proposal, the social role of the media stands out, which were called upon to promote a vision of equality, in opposition to the "explicit dissemination of racism" which many of them reflect, both in prioritizing the perspectives of the dominant sectors, and in presenting a distorted image of communities and sectors which face discrimination, and of their proposals and demands for rights.

Transforming the world: a task for everyone

In a frank debate, the Forum analyzed endoracism, the overvaluation of the urban to the detriment of the rural, ideological discrimination, and internalized racism, which distort transcultural relations and minimize the richness of syncretic expressions, which have the virtue of uniting a group in recognition of a multitude of creative manifestations.

Also discussed were the expressions of racism and discrimination evident in evaluating forms of organization, which tends to weigh negatively against those that emerge from cultures that are not dominant or in vogue.

This permitted the participants to visualize that the eradication of racism is multifaceted, that it is everyone's responsibility to help eradicate it through concrete actions, for which, they said, identifying the problem is a first step.

Xenophobia, a new word for old facts

"The word is new but the facts are old." In fact, the term, which is usually related to "hatred of foreigners," in Ecuador is nuanced by a favorable reception toward people from the North and a discriminatory attitude toward the migration of poor sectors.

Nonetheless, our central preoccupations revolve around the problems faced by those who immigrate from here to the North and the xenophobia they face in those countries, along with the local consequences of this phenomenon. Among these consequences we can identify: the abandonment of land; rupture of family structures; economic exploitation by intermediaries; traffic in human beings; the absence of legal documents with which to leave the country; death, disappearance, and illegal detention along the way; and deportation.

There was also a focus on the difficulties faced by immigrants from the interior of the country; the devaluation of the rural; and the regionalism that affects the country in general. To resolve this, it was proposed to the State that it:

Attend to basic services like health, education, employment, and housing, to forestall emigration;

Request that ACNUR carry out campaigns directed at the needs of migrants and refugees;

Start campaigns to reclaim the identity of migrants;

Through the embassies, ensure that the rights of migrants in other countries are observed;

Adopt mediums to guarantee an equal redistribution of wealth;

Form a Monitoring Commission for the situation of immigrants;

In conjunction with ACNUR, ensure that international conventions on human rights are complied with.

That organizations begin campaigns of reclaiming the identity of migrants and, in a general way, of valorizing Andean philosophy; and create a Monitoring Commission or a citizens' vigilance on the situation of migrants.

(In)tolerance

Tolerance is defined as respect for the integrity of a human being and towards nature, while intolerance is tied to the distortion of these human values in order to privilege the economic interests and the hegemony of a single group. In this sense, the neoliberal capitalist system is exclusionary and intolerant, starting with its own definition of interests.

Working from these values, it is urgent to develop a vision of the human being which integrates the social and individual and aims at eradicating the consequences of intolerance which are expressed, among other ways, in the devaluation of certain people and the violation of their identities.

Therefore, with the intention of promoting an egalitarian world, the Forum expressed the need for overcoming the following forms of intolerance: intergenerational; gender; sexual orientation; socioeconomic status; religious affiliation; and others. With this in mind, it was proposed:

To strengthen pluralist identities:
The promotion of a culture of encounter based on the human being, primarily through intercultural processes.
The adoption of public policies which make the Constitutional principle of respect for diversity viable
Take advantage of the resources which the country possesses; the Ecuadorian constitution, which is the second best and most diverse in the world; the processes organized by social groups and movements; and the social mobilization on a local, regional, and national level. Work with local governments to promote changes in attitude in the face of situations of intolerance.

Promote value-based education, understood as those values with ethical criteria of diversity and pluralism

Propose a joint project with the media for the promotion of these values.

Support the Campaign for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence of the United Nations, as well as the campaign of the Third Decade of struggle against racism, xenophobia, and other forms of intolerance.

Combating racism with a focus on gender

The combination of gender-based discrimination and racism has generated one of the most dangerous, oppressive machinery in the world, whose consequences have crystallized in systematic discrimination, as well as in the consolidation of sexist stereotypes which affect all the rest.

This especially affects indigenous and Afro-Ecuadorian women, "who suffer all kind of discriminations, double or sometimes triple, for being women, for their ethnicity, and for sexual orientation. Sexist stereotypes have created an image which objectifies black women as destined for domestic labor or sex work."

"We indigenous women are beginning to create a space for participation and decision-making power at national and international levels, and to seek recognition for our contributions to development, culture, religion, language, and indigenous science and technology. In the same way, we are making visible our participation and contribution toward the definition of the political projects of our peoples and nations."

In Ecuador, people have been reluctant to accept those who are different, but the old structures which keep the excluded from entering into society are beginning to break down. This is the case with those discriminated against because of their sexual orientation and affected by the construction of stereotypical gender roles, which have been considered by many to be unchangeable.

Racism conceptualized by its victims

Synthesis of conclusions of the "National Forum for Pluralism and
Diversity", Quito September 28-30 2000.

Racism is an ideological-philosophical system, anti-scientific and anti-
human, predicated and practiced by economically and politically powerful
groups in order to justify discrimination and colonialist aggression.
This translates into exclusionist stereotypes and xenophobia, which bring
with them the nullification, negation, and/or elimination of a group of
human beings; in the case of Ecuador, this means indigenous and black
cultures.

This ideology is wielded by the dominant groups against their
subordinates as a political strategy for exclusion, domination, and the
reproduction of colonialism. Today, the practice of democracy and
political control minimizes, ignores, or nullifies other societies and
cultures which oppose the interests of these powerful groups.

Racism is also conceived as verbal, psychological, political, and
economic aggression; it is a political and ideological system which
directs and controls by means of the military, religion, and the media.

Without legislation that imposes sanctions, racism is a crime which can
be committed with impunity. It has become so ordinary that it can
proliferate without limits, embracing all spheres of life. It is
committed not only by the dominant class, but has generated
discriminatory practices among its victims. Thus, in Ecuador, two
practices are evident:

Endoracism, that is, discriminatory practices among
and between marginalized or poor cultures and societies which are
themselves victims of racism. One example is the racism expressed by
blacks toward indigenous people and vice versa. Furthermore, practices
of discrimination and differentiation have developed even within a
sociocultural group, often linked to socioeconomic motives, as
illustrated by the discrimination practiced "among the Indians
themselves, among the blacks themselves". But these practices are also
directed by one social or cultural group toward another, as in the
Ecuadorian example of "the mestizos versus the Indians and blacks", and
this is considered ethnoracism.

The national agenda to put an end to racism

To fight for the identity of each and every social group, for the right
to be diverse and to be respected for who we are, to organize ourselves,
and feel a solidarity among all the victims of racism, as well as poor,
and socially and economically marginalized people.

To practice interculturality among mestizos, indigenous people, and
blacks, and, based on the historical and cultural knowledge of each
group, take concrete measures to erase the endo- and ethno- racism;
create bridges of solidarity in the face of the dominant class.

To encourage the development of a new social construction, which, while
respecting diverse cosmovisions, will bring us closer to equal relations
between the genders.

To carry out media campaigns to promote pluralism and diversity and to
delegitimize racism, xenophobia, sexism, and intolerance. To develop
concrete actions and mobilizations to debunk racist ideology, promote
human rights, and strengthen the self-esteem of those discriminated
against.

International organizations who want to optimize the use of their
resources should direct them toward alternative media, and especially
toward the acquisition of an alternative TV channel which could carry
educational campaigns against racism, xenophobia, and intolerance.

To reform the Constitution in keeping with the cosmovision of the
peoples, and incorporate standards to impose sanctions against racial
discrimination, xenophobia, and intolerance.

Formulation of a law which explicitly defines and penalizes the crimes of
racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and intolerance.

The creation of spaces for a social Comptroller to monitor and guarantee
the combat against racism, xenophobia, and intolerance.

The State should take measures to equalize the imbalances and power
relations which exist in the dynamics between the genders, especially in
relation to women's leadership and political participation.

To hold public awareness and training sessions, formal and informal, to
visualize the consequences of racism for society as a whole and stimulate
a collective effort towards its eradication.

To propose a curricular reform to the State which incorporates the
diversity of cultures and cosmovisions, and whose application includes a
multidisciplinary focus which gives visibility to the different cultural
proposals and identities of peoples and nationalities.

To incorporate racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance
as major themes running through the curriculum in all the educational
systems and subsystems, with the aim of promoting mental decolonization
in public and private education.

To encourage autonomy, multinationality and multiculturalism, and
strengthen organizations for nationality and cultural identity from
within.

To carry out actions to support empowerment and exercise of power in
local government, so as to reclaim ancestral resources and knowledge in
search of a new administrative and economic model based in history and in
the new social reality among different cultures.

That spaces and mechanisms of participation be created for indigenous,
Afro-Ecuadorian, youth, and women in all areas of power and decision-
making.

That fair economic practices and development plans be adopted for the
people and sectors who face discrimination.

Proposals for the World Conference:

To create a campaign at both a national and international level to
penalize racism, including in Constitutions and legislation.
That the international community take measures to impose sanctions on
racism, xenophobia, and intolerance as crimes against humanity.

That the letter of proposals which the Ecuadorian state brings to the
World Conference Against Racism, Xenophobia, and Intolerance take into
account the advances registered in previous international instruments:
CEDAW, the Beijing Conference, and Cairo, among others.

That the UN promote multiculturalism and include youth participation in
every instance.

That the Monitoring Committee on Racism, Racial Discrimination,
Xenophobia, and Intolerance carry out the appropriate follow-up in ev