Responding in Solidarity to Caste Discrimination
Global Ecumenical Conference on Justice for Dalits
Bangkok, Thailand | 21-24 March 2009
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Read the "Bangkok Declaration and Call" 
“Untouchable.” “Outcaste.” “Polluting.” Ostracizing labels in a system of societal organization that defines people on the basis of their descent. Labels mirroring social structures that deny an individual’s rights and God-given dignity, that negate the image of God reflected in every human being.
Today, an estimated 250 million Dalits in South Asia suffer this type of stigmatization and exclusion, together with many more people in other parts of the world. Due to caste discrimination, a significant proportion of the world’s population must struggle daily to realize the fundamental human right to a life in dignity and equality.
The LWF, in conjunction with the United Evangelical Lutheran Church in India, has been an active, longtime partner in this struggle. Together with the National Council of Churches in India and the World Council of Churches (WCC), the LWF has sought to empower Dalits in church and society, give theological and ethical responses, and advocate for an end to the centuries-old system of caste discrimination.
The “Global Ecumenical Conference on Justice for Dalits” in Bangkok, Thailand, on 21-24 March 2009 sought to promote international ecumenical solidarity in this work.
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Around 100 representatives of churches and church-related organizations from all over the world, Indian churches, and members of affected communities shared their experiences on the challenge of securing justice for Dalits and similarly affected communities. Participants looked attheological and ethical underpinnings for this struggle for survival and identity, with a particular focus on the global church’s role.
This event also served to raise awareness of caste discrimination as a relevant pressing issue that was not addressed by the World Conference Against Racism (WCAR) in 2001. The Justice for Dalits conference aims to send a message to the Durban Review Conference meeting in late April in order to highlight once again the importance of a concerted international response to this challenge.
Learn more about the conference: Conference concept paper | Conference draft program
Read more about caste discrimination and related advocacy initiatives: International Dalit Solidarity Network | Photo Exhibition "We Are Not Untouchable"
