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Description
In the OLIPOL project of the interdisciplinary research team of the Department of Political Science, Faculty of Arts, Charles University and the Nesehnutí organisation, we will focus on significant shifts in the concept of human rights within the context of societal polarisation in the past decade that led to increased acceptance of the denial of rights, downplaying of their violations and to stigmatisation of certain groups. OLIPOL turns attention to the context of polarisation for a better understanding of the problem and for finding ways to prevent it.
The aim of the project is to understand the dynamics of polarisation as such and its effect on shifts in the concept of human rights; furthermore, to develop practical innovative educational tools for reducing its negative consequences and improving prevention.
In the project, (1) we will first analyse the logic and dynamics of polarising topics in CZ from 2011 (an increase of anti-Roma attitudes, Islamophobia, resistance toward LGBT+, gender) until 2021; (2) in cooperation with Nesehnutí, we will “translate” these into methodologies that will help reduce negative consequences of polarisation; (3) we will conduct pilot educational workshops with partners; and (4), we will disseminate the findings in a campaign in cooperation with Czech influencers.
The novelty of the project lies in its two axes, a research and an educational one, both based on the long-standing experience of mutually supportive teams. We will develop a joint methodology that will be implementable by other actors in the (Czech) society. Contrary to the traditional approach, we will focus on an analysis of the wider societal dynamics of polarising events in which human rights are downplayed and on a search for prevention strategies.
OLIPOL will thus provide long-term outputs in the form of publications in professional journals and media; proven methodology as well as narratives, in video spots in social media, workshops, courses and podcasts.
Summary of project results
The project addressed the polarization around issues of race, gender, Islam and human rights with the aim of applying social science knowledge. The perception of social polarization and the stigmatization of vulnerable groups (Roma, LGBTQ people and "migrants") increases with each polarizing dispute over draft laws, violent attacks or migration. The project responded to the need to better understand and respond to polarizing disputes without further exacerbating polarization and stigma.
The OliPol project had two branches. The academic branch at the Faculty of Arts at Charles University analysed polarisation and polarising disputes and developed a model of de-escalation of polarising disputes; it researched on gender, Islam and discrimination and produced both academic texts and a number of popularising documents on polarising disputes around gender ideology, Islam and Islamophobia, racism and discrimination. In a series of workshops and pilots, and together with its NGO partner Nesehnutí, the Charles University team developed the "Methodological Support for Working with Polarizing Issues in Education" which Nesehnutí introduced to three Faculties of Education in the Czech Republic. The two teams then developed a campaign theme (Open the Dispute), a website and three video-spots with public figures, showing that there is an alternative to polarisation and stigmatisation in constructive disputes. Throughout the project, the Charles University team was very active in the media disseminating their own research and the project perspective.
The main outcome of the project is a new perspective on polarisation, stigmatization and social disputes. It is reflected both in the analysis of academic texts and backgrounders as well as in numerous media interventions or the social media campaign. Specifically, the project produced 20 academic texts, 9 popularizing on the protection of human rights of disadvantaged groups, a conference (1), a methodology (1), university courses, 285 social media posts, 3 videos with VIPs, 10 workshops et al. The application and dissemination of scientific research is important: One of the shortcomings of the Czech response to extremism is the low awareness of social science approaches, which are a neccessary but poorly explained aspect of public policies, especially in the field of gender and anti-racism. Furthermore, the notion of a „good dispute“ raised interest far beyond the project area (gender, race, Islam), in other ongoing public debates around human rights.