Brasília, November 21, 2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Beginning today, racial issues and ways for descendants of Africans in the Americas to overcome social exclusion will be debated at the I Meeting of Black Legislators from the Americas and the Caribbean, in the Chamber of Deputies. Around 300 black legislators and representatives of civil organizations from various American and Caribbean countries are expected, as well as observers from African legislatures.

The purposes of the meeting are to improve the organization of black representatives in legislative bodies across the continent for the sake of joint activities to combat ethnic and racial discrimination and to begin the formulation of a permanent action program in defense of racial equality. (DAS)