Boletín No. 1

Forum of the Civil Society of Latin America and the Caribbean. Preparatory of the exam's process of the World Conference against the Racism, the Xenoffobia and the Connected Forms of Intolerance, to be carried out the 6 and 7 of March 2009, in the Dominican Republic.

In the framework of the process of evaluation of the World Conference Against the Racism and the Racial Discrimination, Xenofobia and the Connected forms of Intolerance, the International Committee of Monitoring to Durban, will carry out a regional process of work for the incident and the participation of the civil society and social movements in the mentioned process. In this sense, we will realize a Forum of Civil Society on March 6 and 7, 2009, with the representatives' participation of the civil society with highly level of leadership in its countries and the region.

The civil society of Latin America and the Caribbean, faces the challenge to generate a process of mobilization to national level of the movements against the racism; to generate alliances with other social movements; to be articulated to the world networks of monitoring and to do control and social pressure to the States to achieve national processes of evaluation and commitments sign for the Conference of the 2009.

With the Forum of Civil Society we intend to impact so that in the process of exam the States, on a worldwide basis, they ratify their obligation with the commitments of the Statement and the Plan of Action of Durban and so that the States of Latin America and the Caribbean define actions that permit them to advance in the compliance of the commitments assumed, so much in the Durban Action Plan, as in the Regional Conference, by means of the establishment of goals for 5 and 10 years in the sense to surpass the racism, the racial discrimination and the connected forms of intolerance.

The results of the Forum are oriented to:

1. Realize an analysis of context and tendencies in the world setting relating to the racism, the xenofobia and the connected forms of intolerance.
2. Realize a politician map of the situation of the countries and governments with a view toward the exam's process of the Conference.
3. Define common strategies for the incident in the process of implementation of the Action's Plan, in the local, regional and international level.
4. Make a letter shadow to be presented to the governments of the region on what we expect of them in the Evaluation Conference.
5. Review and contribute to cause to the document of States' negotiation.
6. Update on the central aspects of the organization' process of the Evaluation Conference.

Place: Hotel Barceló Lina

Date: March 6 and 7/ 2009

Schedule: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Criteria to participate:
· You've had to be involved in some process of pursuit or implementation of Durban agenda.
· To be activist of the groups who prioritizes the Durban Plan of Action.
· To be working in processes of incidence for the Durban Review Conference April 2009.
· Fill registration form.

Diet

The event organization is responsible for lunches and snacks, on March 6th and 7th. Breakfasts and dinners are responsibility of the participant.

Lodging
Each participant is responsible for his reservation and lodging. Our recommendations of lodging are the following:
· Hotel Barceló Lina (place where it is the event).
Address: Máximo Gómez, esq. 27 de febrero.
P.O box 1915
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Phone: +1 809 5635000
www.barcelolina.com

Rates
Double room: from 109,80 USD per room per night.

· Hotel Conde de Peñalba
Address: El Conde, esq. Arzobispo Meriño, Zona Colonial
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Phone.: +1 809.688.7121
Fax: 809.688.7375
PO Box: 75 Z
E-mail: condepenalba@codetel.net.do
http://www.condepenalba.com

Rates
Single room: from 60 USD per night
Double room: from 80 USD per night


· Hotel Mercure Comercial
Address: El Conde, esq. Hostos 10211, Zona Colonial
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Phone: (+1)809/688-5500
Fax : (+1)809/688-5522
E-mail: h2974@accor.com
http://www.mercure.com

Rates
Double room: from 69.30 USD

For more information about Santo Domingo and lodging please check http://www.godominicanrepublic.com/goDREnglish/docs/pdf_lacotica2008en.pdf.

Climate

The Dominican Republic enjoys warm tropical weather year round. Depending on the location, an average day may see full sun or a sun/cloud mix. The average year-round temperatures are 25°C- 30°C. As we work in air conditioner we recommended to use a jacket.

Currency
The Dominican peso is the official currency of the Dominican Republic. However, the U.S. dollar is accepted at most tourist establishments and is often preferred. Because the dollar is very strong in the country, American travelers can expect to find a good exchange rate. Currency may be exchanged at Casas de Cambio (general hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.), banks (general hours: 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
Major credit cards and travelers checks are also accepted at most major tourist areas in the country. To avoid carrying a large amount of cash (not recommended), travelers should bring a mix of payment options.

Immigration

Before entering the country, visitors are required to fill out embarkation/disembarkation forms. These must be filled out before entering the immigration line where a passport must be presented.
Few countries need visa for Dominican Republic. However, we recommend to visit the Dominican diplomatic representation in your country. Visitors who do not need visa must buy a Tourist Card, which cost $10 US, no coins or other currency, including Dominican pesos, can be used; travelers checks and credit cards are also not accepted.
The Tourist Card is good for up to 30 days.

Language

Spanish is the official language of the Dominican Republic. Despite this, most employees in hotels and tourist destinations speak relatively good English. If visitors intend to venture out beyond the tourist hubs it will be helpful to learn a few basic Spanish phrases.

Transportation
Private taxis can be hired and is a very safe option. Visitors should always agree on a rate before getting into the taxi. The rates goes between US$4- 7 in the city.

Time

The local time zone is Eastern Caribbean Time (GMT -0400). In the winter this is one hour ahead of Eastern Time. The Dominican Republic does not observe daylight savings time.

Tipping

Tipping is widely practiced throughout the country. While restaurants automatically add a 10 percent tip to the bill its customary to give a bit extra - up to 10 percent additional.