The UCLG Committee on Social Inclusion, Participatory Democracy and Human Rights contributed to discussions on how local governments can move from equality commitments to systemic change and accountability.
UCLG took part in the fifth edition of the UNESCO Global Forum against Racism and Discrimination, held on 29–30 October 2026 at the World Forum in The Hague, Netherlands. Organised by UNESCO and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Forum brought together governments, international organisations, civil society, academia and other stakeholders under the theme “From Commitment to Accountability: Change the System, Change the Future”.
The Forum provided an international platform to exchange experiences and advance collective action against racism and discrimination, with a particular focus on translating political commitments into concrete, measurable action and lasting systemic change.
Local action for equality and inclusion
On 29 October, Adrià Duarte, Coordinator of the UCLG Committee on Social Inclusion, Participatory Democracy and Human Rights (CISDPDH), participated as a panellist in the session “Local action, global impact: Cities at the frontline of equality”, hosted at the premises of the Association of Netherlands Municipalities (VNG).
The session explored how cities can move beyond fragmented initiatives towards comprehensive governance approaches that address structural discrimination, redistribute opportunities and embed accountability across municipal institutions.
Bringing together perspectives from local government, international city networks and academia, the discussion highlighted the importance of sustained political leadership, institutional commitment and strong partnerships to advance equality policies, particularly in contexts marked by political polarisation, limited resources and institutional resistance.
Mr. Duarte contributed an international local-government perspective, emphasising the role of community participation, cooperation with civil society and international knowledge exchange in developing structural and sustainable local policies to combat discrimination and promote equal opportunities.
The panel also featured Benedetto Zacchiroli, President of the European Coalition of Cities Against Racism (ECCAR); Gyonggu Shin, Professor Emeritus at Jeonnam National University and representative of Gwangju’s co-presidency of CISDPDH; and Georgina Ontiveros, Technical Secretary of Mexico City’s Council for the Prevention and Elimination of Discrimination. The session was moderated by Jahkini Bisselink, with opening remarks by Pieter Jeroense, Director General of VNG.
The discussion also explored how local action can be scaled through platforms such as UNESCO’s International Coalition of Inclusive and Sustainable Cities (ICCAR), strengthening cities as strategic actors for sustained progress on inclusion and equality.
Credits: @Hugo de Wolf
Local leadership and global cooperation
The Forum also brought together mayors and elected representatives from cities across different regions, including London, Santa Bárbara do Tugúrio, Heidelberg, Edmonton and Saint-Denis, to discuss the role of local leadership in addressing racism and discrimination.
Discussions highlighted how cities are often at the forefront of tackling inequalities in areas such as education, housing and public services, while also confronting discriminatory narratives, racism in the media and social media and hostility towards racialised communities, migrants and other groups.
These exchanges reinforced the importance of connecting local action with national and international frameworks, strengthening alliances between cities and ensuring that equality and human rights commitments translate into meaningful change in people's everyday lives.
Local government as a human-rights actor
The CISDPDH’s contribution builds on its longstanding work to position local and regional governments as full partners in the global anti-racism agenda. At the 4th UNESCO Global Forum, hosted by Barcelona in December 2024, the Committee organised the side event “Cities and Human Rights: Collaborative Approaches against Racism and Discrimination” with the Barcelona City Council, the OHCHR, and UNESCO.
This year, CISDPDH’s participation underscored a central message: racism and discrimination are experienced in everyday life—in neighbourhoods, schools, public services, workplaces, digital spaces, and encounters with public authorities—and local governments are therefore essential actors in designing and delivering effective responses.
Through its participation, UCLG reaffirmed the importance of local and regional governments as key actors in the global fight against racism and discrimination, and the need to strengthen international cooperation and multilevel governance to advance inclusive, equal and human rights-based cities and territories. The Committee will continue to promote peer learning among cities, support local human-rights institutions, and advocate for policies that address both overt discrimination and the structural conditions that reproduce inequality.