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Description
In the past, Ząbkowice Śląskie was a multicultural city, but today the region is essentially culturally homogeneous, like the whole of Poland. Despite the long multicultural history and work to promote cultures, prejudice and hostility towards national, ethnic, and religious minorities is increasing in Ząbkowice. In 2015, there were protests in the city against taking in refugees. Since that time, as in the whole of Poland, there has been a rapid radicalization of public attitudes fuelled by a political and media hate campaign against various minorities. Numerous CSOs (the Discrimination Awareness Association is just one example) have pointed out the need for urgent action to combat discrimination.Young people from Ząbkowice Śląskie and the vicinity will participate in equality measures to further human rights and cultural diversity. The Project Promoter will prepare the Be a Young Multicultural Ambassador campaign aimed at primary and lower-secondary school pupils, two excursion workshops on human rights and multiculturalism, five local workshops on young people’s identity and cultural heritage for young people, and five open awareness-raising meetings on human rights and multiculturalism. There will also be a local public campaign for young people, comprising films and infographics. A conference summarizing the project, and a concert, will close the project.Awareness-raising and activation measures are aimed primarily at young people in Ząbkowice Śląskie and the vicinity – approximately 120 people will actively participate. The participants will be more aware of human rights, cultural diversity, equality, and identity and cultural heritage; they will develop openness and diversity affirmation, and some will participate actively in community activities.
Summary of project results
Ząbkowice has historically been a multicultural town, but today the region is essentially culturally homogenous. Despite a long history of multiculturalism and efforts to promote cultures, there is growing prejudice and hostility towards national, ethnic and religious groups in Ząbkowice. In 2015, protests were held in the city against the admission of refugees and refugee women. Since then, as in the whole country, there has been a rapid radicalisation of social attitudes fuelled by a political and media campaign of hatred towards various minorities.
As part of the project ‘Become a Young Ambassador of Multiculturalism’, various activities involving young people aged 15 to 25 from Ząbkowice Śląskie and the surrounding area were carried out. The project consisted of two cycles of travel workshops for young people on human rights and multiculturalism, 5 local workshops on identity and cultural heritage, as well as 5 educational meetings for young people and adults from the Municipality of Ząbkowice Śląskie. The project was concluded with a closing event and a concert on cultural diversity.
Those who participated in the project raised their awareness of human rights, cultural diversity, equal treatment, identity and cultural heritage. In the long term, the project will have an impact not only on the young people, but also on their surroundings: colleagues, parents, grandparents and the community. The initiative was a step towards changing the perception of diversity as a value by the community of Ząbkowice Ślaskie.