Bandung to host anti-discrimination conference

Febriyan, The Jakarta Post, Bandung | Wed, 10/28/2009 11:12 PM

Delegations of 138 cities from 23 countries have arrived in Bandung for a world conference to be held by the Coalition of Cities against Discrimination on Thursday and Friday.

Organizer Herdiwan Iing Suranta said participants of the UNESCO-sponsored event would discuss the rights of city residents in the face of discrimination, the role of the city as a unifying place for new and underdeveloped communities, and cooperation between urban and rural regions to combat discrimination.

“We originally expected 200 cities from 70 countries to join the conference,” Herdiwan, head of the West Java Tourism and Culture Agency, said Wednesday.

A traditional game and a cultural festival around Gasibu Square will follow the two-day conference Saturday.

“All the participants will then take part in a cart parade around Bandung,” he said.

Bandung was appointed the host of the anti-discrimination meeting as the coalition expected to emulate the spirit of the 1955 Asia-Africa Conference, which was held in the West Java capital.