In 2020, more than one in four people reported having been a victim of discrimination in Switzerland*. Why does this affect all of us? Whether as a victim or a witness to discrimination on the street, at work, at school, on the bus, or online, this reality is part of our daily lives. That’s why your perspective, experience, and story are invaluable.
Since 2007, the Lausanne Office for Immigrants (BLI) of the City of Lausanne has been implementing various initiatives against racism, including the Week of Action Against Racism in partnership with associations and institutions.
In 2022, the BLI and its partners decided to take stock of the last fifteen editions, look toward the future, and invite you to join the discussion.
A brief summary of the results
A public consultation was open from May 16 to August 31, 2022. In addition to the online questionnaire and the PDF version, paper questionnaires were available at community centers, the Lausanne Office for Immigrants, Infocité, and at the entrance to the administrative building in Port-Franc. The BLI also went out into the community during the summer to distribute questionnaires, for example at festivals.
Analysis of the questionnaires revealed that 42% of respondents are familiar with the Week of Action Against Racism. The main findings are that information is primarily disseminated by word of mouth, and that respondents believe the Week of Action Against Racism is primarily aimed at young people and adults, followed by families, those directly affected, seniors, and experts.
The Week of Action Against Racism therefore remains, in part, an event for the general public, but with specific thematic focuses. To learn more, visit the summary of results. The BLI has already been able to put some of these findings into practice for the 2023 edition of the Week of Action Against Racism.
With film screenings, roundtable discussions, theater performances, workshops, conferences, and fun activities, this year’s event reminds us that Lausanne is made up of each and every one of us, regardless of our origins, skin color, religion, or gender. To explore the program, organized by the Lausanne Office for Immigrants and its partners, visit the Action Week Against Racism page. Activities for all ages, both in the city center and in the neighborhoods, await you there.
Learn more
Do you need to better understand what racism is and what the Week of Action Against Racism is all about? Check out the information page.
*Source: FSO – Living Together in Switzerland, 2020

© Geoffrey Cottenceau
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