Taking action against discrimination: A look back at the event organized by Grdr to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (March 21st, 2026)
Every year on March 21, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is celebrated.
According to the International Convention, racial discrimination refers to any distinction, exclusion, restriction, or preference based on race, color, ancestry, or national or ethnic origin. Its purpose or effect is to limit the recognition and exercise, on an equal basis, of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Unfortunately, racial discrimination is still present in most societies.
People of foreign origin are more exposed to unemployment, social insecurity, and poorer health. Official studies and numerous public reports confirm the extent of this discrimination in French society.
Here are below some key statistics on racial discrimination in France:
- According to the Defender of Rights, “Individuals with an Arabic or African-sounding name are respectively 27% and 31% less likely to obtain a first meeting with a private landlord.” (Survey on discrimination in access to housing, 2017)
- According to the Defender of Rights, in 2025, “39% of people perceived as Black, Arab, or North African reported having been stopped and searched at least once in the past five years, compared to 23% of people perceived as exclusively white.” (Survey on access to rights, 2025)
The consequences of racism on mental and physical health are profound: isolation, anxiety, depression … Racial prejudice can also influence medical care, sometimes leading to discriminatory practices, such as the so-called “Mediterranean syndrome.”” is a racist prejudice that assumes that individuals of foreign origin, particularly black and Arab women, are inclined to amplify the pain and symptoms they experience.
Faced with the scale of this problem, Grdr reaffirmed its commitment to the fight against racism and xenophobia in all their forms. On the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Grdr, in partnership with the Lille-based café Le Café Moulinette, organized a series of workshops and interactive activities on March 21, 2026. The aim of these activities was to strengthen social cohesion and curb the rise of discriminatory behavior.
The sequence of the day
- Morning – Workshop: “Prejudice? Stereotype? Discrimination?”
Grdr offered a workshop on key concepts related to discrimination. While the term is widely used, the differences between stereotypes, prejudices, and discrimination often remain unclear. The goal was therefore to provide simple and accessible definitions, in order to better identify them in everyday life and encourage reflection on our own perceptions.
- Afternoon – Game simulation “Participa City”
The afternoon continued with a simulation exercise designed to identify everyday microaggressions and racial discrimination. Participants took on different roles, finding themselves alternately experiencing or perpetrating discrimination. During this gaming session, participants had the opportunity to explore Participa City, and in particular its soccer field, which had unfortunately been the scene of acts of racism and discrimination during a match. The participants really enjoyed this simulation and expressed a desire to receive further training so they could facilitate the game themselves. This role-playing exercise allowed them to better understand the mechanisms of racism and to reflect on their role as actors in a more inclusive society.
