March 21 is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and the Canadian Council of Churches in Canada says it's important for Christians in this country to participate.

Created as a response to the killing of 69 protesters at a peaceful antiapartheid demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa in 1960, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination has been observed around the world every year on March 21 since 1966.

According to the UN, this year's International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is focused on the midterm review of the International Decade for People of African Descent undertaken by the Human Rights Council in Geneva as part of its 43rd session.

Melanie Delva is one of the many people in the church community that is working to bring racial reconciliation to the church in Canada. She is the reconciliation animator for the Anglican Church of Canada.