March 21st is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Proclaimed as such in 1966 by the General Assembly of the United Nations, the 2018 theme of this day is "Promoting tolerance, inclusion, unity and respect for diversity in the context of combating racial discrimination" and should hold great significance as 2018 will also mark the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. March 21st holds a specific importance in the promotion of tolerance and combating of racism as on that day in 1960, police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa who were protesting against the apartheid pass laws. 

As a Union, it is the duty of the NEU to promote workplaces that assure Members work in environments of respect and that are free of racial discrimination of any kind. As citizens of Nunavut and Canada, it is the responsibility of each of us to do our individual and collective parts to see that we also live in a society based on the principals and goals set forth by the United Nations. While one specially themed day is not enough to achieve this, it should be the day that triggers us to put into practice these principals on a daily basis, inside and outside of the workplace.

The Nunavut Employees Union - Working for those that make Nunavut Work