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17 August 2008

The Minister of Home Affairs, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula wishes to invite members of the media to attend a Social Dialogue on Promoting Tolerance through Diversity in South Africa.

The social dialogue, to be attended by civil society, migrant communities, stakeholders and other government departments, is aimed at deliberating and finding ways of promoting tolerance. It will also explore the root causes of the recent xenophobia attacks on foreign nationals and collectively offer solutions.

Members of the media are invited to participate in the debate, particularly in view of the fact that the media has a specific role to play in educating communities about xenophobia and its negative impact on society.

Details of the event are as follows (Programme attached below)

Date: 18 to 19 August 2008
Time: 08h30
Venue: South African Reserve Bank Conference Centre

RSVPs should be directed to:
Bongi Ramalepe
Cell: 082 908 8050
E-mail: Bongi.Ramalepe@dha.gov.za

Thabo Mokgola
Cell: 082 902 8414
E-mail: Thabo.Mokgola@dha.gov.za

Indaba on xenophobia

18 and 19 August 2008
Reserve Bank Conference Centre, Tshwane

Objective

The objective is to have key members of the executive, government departments, stakeholders and community representatives reflect on xenophobia in general, as well as the events of the past months with the intention of identifying preventative measures.

Day 1: 18 August 2008

07h00 to 08h45: Registration

09h00 to 09h15: Opening and welcome by Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa Nqakula

09h20 to 09h30: Overview /objectives of the Indaba by Minister Essop Pahad

Plenary session

09h35 to 10h20: Defining xenophobia and exploring the psychological myths and stereotypes.

The objective of this session will be to debate issues of citizenship and nationality in the "new" South Africa. It will focus specifically on the impact that migration has had on the construction of the South African nation, continuity or discontinuity in trends hereof, the manner in which this conforms with or contradicts our historical / traditional conception of ourselves as a nation. Such debate will provide the basis for new perspectives, as well as a policy framework and legislation as it relates to citizenship and nationality.

10h30 to 11h15: Moral regeneration and faith communities

The objective is for faith based organisations and civil society to discuss their role in teaching tolerance and responding to crises like the present one.

11h15 to 11h30: Tea break

11h35 to 12h30: The voice of the affected communities

The objective is to hear the voice of the communities that experienced these traumatic events with the emphasis on what we can learn as a broader community.

The focus is on an assessment of what were the underlying reasons that in some communities violence were resolved quickly and in others they were not, and what are the challenges faced in the reintegration process from a community perspective.

12h30 to 13h00: Questions and answers

13h00 to 14h00: Lunch

13h30 to 14h15: Social Justice, Human rights and the rights of migrants

Examining the scope and application of Human Rights in SA

The objective of this session will be to debate issues of human rights in South Africa with specific focus on the application of human rights to migrants in South Africa. This panel should examine the legislative provisions impacting on migrants' rights and the ability/capacity of the state to enact such rights, also looking at institutions that are tasked with the provision of rights/ services to migrants and the manner in which such rights are provided and enforced.

The gender-specific nature of the rights of migrants will also be examined. Ultimately, the debate will form concrete recommendations to government departments, employers and civil society to ensure that the rights of migrants, in particular women, children and other special groups are upheld.

Commission session commences

14h30 to 16h30: Commission 1

Social, economic, cultural and political factors to rejection of diversity

This objective is for the commission to explore the social, economic, cultural and political factors that create tensions of rejection and violence and discuss the way forward in countering the eruption of future incidence.

14h30 to 16h30: Commission 2

Moral regeneration and faith communities

This commission will continue with the role of faith based organisations and civil society and develop a recommendation on the role to be played in the future.

14h30 to 16h30: Commission 3

Social justice, human rights and the rights of migrants

The objective is to define the role and basic human rights of migrants and the affected individuals irrespective if they are South African citizens or just inhabitants of South Africa.

Plenary commences: Summarised reports from Commissions

16h45 to 17h00: Commission 1:

Social, economic, cultural and political factors to rejection of diversity

17h10 to 17h25: Commission 2:

Moral regeneration and faith communities

17h30 to 17h45: Commission 3:

Social justice, human rights and the rights of migrants

17h45 to 18h00: Conclusion

Conclusion by facilitator

Day 2: 19 August 2008

07h00 to 08h45

Registration

09h00 to 09h10: Overview of the previous day of the Indaba by programme director/ facilitator

Plenary session

09h15 to 10h00: Immigration policy and the impact on xenophobia

The objective is to explore if policy addresses the challenges faced by immigrants and if the interpretation of these policies are accurate and take cognisance of the impact it has on persons seeking assistance.

10h00 to 10h40: Shaping public perceptions through the role of the media

The objective of this session will be to debate media coverage of international migration issues in South Africa. The focus of this session will be on the print and electronic coverage of the recent violent attacks on migrants as well as the obfuscator use of migration terminology by journalists and such implications.

This session will also address a broader political/philosophical concern, namely, what should be the role of the media as it relates to the presence of migrants in South Africa, and the basis and scope for co-operation between the state and the media fraternity.

Enquiries:
Cleo Mosana
Tel: 012 810 8942
Cell: 082 902 8796
E-mail: cleo.mosana@dha.gov.za

Mantshele wa ga Tau
Tel: 012 810 6315
Cell: 082 802 4814
E-mail: Mantshele.tau@dha.gov.za

Issued by: Department of Home Affairs
17 August 2008