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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.