LAC Coalition - Latin American and Caribbean Coalition of Cities against Racism, Discrimination and Xenophobia

Why are local and regional governments essential for promoting,  upholding, and respecting human rights?  

The transformative power of urbanization has positively impacted the lives of many marginalized people through advancements in urban planning and infrastructure, energy use, educational services, environmental protection, and access to healthcare, water, and sanitation. However, despite these advances, many urban areas remain fertile ground for unemployment, poverty, and inequality. Overpopulation in cities and peripheral urban areas has led to socioeconomic exclusion, service delivery gaps, and serious challenges to social harmony. 

Various forms of discrimination have spread in cities worldwide, manifesting in public spaces, workplaces, classrooms, and communities, threatening the moral, social, economic, and political stability of cities. Discrimination, often resulting from exclusion and isolation, fosters conditions that can lead to extremism and radicalization. In this context, cities have become the main stage of 21st-century global society—spaces where people meet, interact, and develop strategies and projects. Cities are where daily encounters with difference spark competition, conflicts of interest, and fear—fueling discriminatory ideologies and attitudes. This is why local governments, due to their proximity, are the most effective candidates to offer cross-cutting responses through firm commitments to human rights and the reinforcement of democratic practices. 

In this regard, local governments in the region have worked to combat racism, discrimination, and xenophobia through various political strategies and tools such as legislative initiatives, action plans, declarations, campaigns, international forums and events, instruments, and city networks—and are able to report on their progress in promoting and upholding human rights. 

The LAC COALITION aims to combat manifestations of racism, discrimination, and xenophobia at the local level and to contribute to safeguarding and promoting human rights and respect for diversity within Latin America and the Caribbean. 

Why are human rights relevant values and a useful framework  for guiding their local action?

Human rights are key to promoting and developing sustainable and socially inclusive urbanization processes that foster equality, combat all forms of discrimination, and empower individuals and communities. A human rights-based approach is vital for cities to function as places of equal opportunity for all, where people can live in safety, peace, and dignity. 

In this regard, the LAC Coalition bases its work on a 10-Point Action Plan, which serves as a key tool to provide local governments with a reference framework for their policies and strategies. Within the context of current global agendas, it enables alignment with such frameworks (SDGs, NUA, etc.).