Description
The project challenges the lack of tolerance and respect for different others in communities inhabited by large Jewish communities before WWII. The project plans to deliver education workshops presenting the Jewish culture to young people in small towns and villages and increasing their awareness of anti-Semitism and xenophobia. Equipped with the new knowledge and skills, students in 30 communities will work on projects that restore the memory of the local multicultural heritage and foster attitudes of openness to diversity and different others in their communities. During the process, the Dialogue Forum intends to continuously improve its workshop scenarios and grow the number of educators working with the Foundation.
Summary of project results
"Limited knowledge about the multicultural past and a religious and ethnic homogeneity have had an enormous impact on how local communities perceive interculturalism and diversity. Anti-Semitism is an issue in Poland. According to research conducted by the Prejudice Study Centre of the University of Warsaw, anti-Semitism is particularly strong in central and south-eastern Poland. This is where the Jewish community was the largest before WWII. Today, it is in these regions that you are likely to find unmarked and neglected synagogues and prayer houses, and anti-Semitic or racist slogans or graffiti on Jewish cemeteries. The project aimed at promoting tolerance and respect for diversity among youth living in communities inhabited by major Jewish communities before WWII and at alerting young people to anti-Semitism and xenophobia. The project was implemented in 30 communities where youth groups have formed and now use the new skills to develop community initiatives that address the historic cultural diversity of their communities. Enhanced workshop education scenarios and tutorials were developed to support students and activities in future programme rounds. Fifteen new individuals joined the trainer group and received training along with established educators in the Foundation. Project beneficiaries included youth in several dozen communities in central and south eastern Poland."
Summary of bilateral results