The Norwegian Centre against Racism

The Norwegian Center against Racism is a non-profit, politically nonpartisan institution which seeks to promote human rights and equal opportunities, and to increase the understanding between the indigenous people and persons of non-Norwegian origin in Norway. The Center also provides individual assistance to persons who have become social, political and economic victims of racism and racial discrimination.

The Center's personnel consists of a dozen paid full-time employees and more than 100 voluntary workers of diverse national origins. Together, The Norwegian Center against Racism covers such areas as research and documentation in racism, legislative reform and lobbying, women's issues, problems of immigrants and refugees in their day-to-day living as well as racial discrimination and related matters.

Our work falls into two broad segments:

- An advocate against individual and institutional discrimination, racism and breach of human rights in Norway, as well as a promoter of equal opportunities for immigrants, minority groups and women.
- A source of information and expertise where individuals and organizations in Norway and abroad can obtain practical assistance and information in the area of racism and racial discrimination.

Our task has been to promote cultural diversity in Norway through working for justice and equality. Our goals have inspired many individuals and institutions in Norway for more than 30 yearss. We have, through political actions, projects and extensive international cooperation, built up expertise and experience which we share with as many other individuals and organizations as possible. Our continuing research and documentation on racism and racial discrimination in Norway provides the foundation for the more visible tasks of the Center's work environment: nationwide lectures and community education programmes, guest speaking for and participation in debates and conferences, media and political lobbying for concrete issues, production and dissemination of information materials (print, film, video), cultural activities, and more.
 

Why a Center against Racism in Norway?

The severity of the present situation in Norway indicates that it is necessary to work as an organisation with clearly focused targets if acts of racism, racial discrimination and breach of human rights are to be truly vanquished. Polarization of diverse social groups in the Norwegian society is a powerful phenomenon the implications of which can not be ignored. We actively try to promote discussion and dialogue in these areas both in the public and private spheres.
 

Expertise

The personnel at the Center possess hands-on expertise in several vital areas. These include: research and documentation, journalism, multilingual skills, social work, marketing, theater, radio, film, music, human rights and equality, counselling, legislature, youth advocacy, women's issues, work with asylum-seekers and refugees, etc.

Following are some of the major activities of the Center:

- Jobb X: Our successful job-seeking training programme.

- Agenda X: Youth against racism in Norway - projects, groups, events.

- WildX - fishing, hunting and wildlife. (This division is shortly to be moved to the Norwegian Association of Hunters and Anglers  (Norges Jeger- og Fiskerforbund)).

- Guidance for victims of racial assault and persecution (Råd- og veiledningskontoret).

The Center also provides interest groups in Norway the assistance of experts who can impart training on topics such as human rights, racism, racial discrimination and immigration problems.

The Norwegian Center against Racism is constantly on the look-out for new approaches to the problems faced in the vital struggle against racism and breach of human rights. We are used as a resource center by individuals, humanitarian organizations, political organizations and political parties, church groups, immigrants, teachers, social workers, students, bureaucrats, the media and concerned groups all over Norway.


Antirasistisk Senter
P.b. 244 Sentrum
0103 Oslo, Norway
Tlf: 22 13 90 00
E-mail: epost@antirasistisk-senter.no