More information
Description
The project aims to propagate tolerance and respect for difference in the society and to support a harmonious environment for mutual co-existence and cooperation between the majority and minorities. The project will enhance the state’s role in tackling hate and promoting tolerance and social cohesion in the society. The project will give special consideration to the Roma-population. The project is a follow-up to the “Campaign against racism and hate violence” conducted by the “Agency for Social Inclusion” at the Office of the Government of the Czech Republic supported by the EEA Grants 2009 – 2014. The project will, inter alia, include the following main activities:
- Strengthening mediation in schools
- Enhanced communication skills through training and seminars of local government representatives in conflict resolution caused by Hate Speech and development of crisis communication plans,
- Online educational tool for primary and secondary schools to tackle prejudices and intolerance. Adaption of the existing “Online workshop” platform to the needs of various age groups and extended to include secondary school students. Teachers will be trained in using the application and a teacher’s manual promoting diversity and tolerance in schools will be updated,
- A nation-wide media campaign “Hate Free Culture” which will focus on communicating with mass media audiences and users of social networks. Development of a communication platform stimulating discussion on recent issues related to human rights, vulnerable groups and social tensions and conflicts,
- Evaluation of the impact and quality of project’s activities and public opinion surveys on “share of young persons with concern for human rights and equality”.
Summary of project results
The project responded to the increasing rate of hate speech against minorities in public space. It aimed to expand and maintain a platform for a sophisticated debate dealing with issues related to discrimination and bias violence in order to prevent hate speech and hate violence, and to equip opinion makers and decision makers with effective communication tools themes and related issues. To prevent prejudicial, hateful behaviour, the project operated at three levels of communication - the mass media, in a shared public space, and in direct communication with selected people. The project built on existing capacities, in particular practices and products proven in the Campaign against racism and hate violence 2014-2017. It’s primarily intervention in municipalities was complemented with preventive and awareness raising activities.
Within the activity "Let''s Talk" the project promoter taught pupils and teachers in the 2nd grade of primary schools to learn the elements of non-violent communication and to get to the bottom of the sources of conflicts. In the "Emergency" activity the project promoter reduced tension in municipalities and offered more comprehensive support in crisis communication. The project also helped pedagogues using the Media Workshop application to discuss with pupils the topic of otherness, tolerance and own prejudices, and brought 2 new opportunities to meet people with different opinions (My Country Talks). The HateFree Culture campaign was realized, i.e. it brought information to the public, provided space for the stories of people from marginalized groups, whose voice was often missing in the mainstream media. An evaluation was ongoing during the whole project implementation period. The project promoter was also interested in the proportion of young people with a positive attitude towards human rights and they measured it twice.
The project supported 4505 pupils and teachers in 42 schools within 298 project days. 45 out of 83 teachers confirmed they use the outputs immediately. Through interventions in 32 municipalities, the project contributed to calm different situations. The project also engaged more than 3,000 participants in discussions, most of them gained respect for opposing opinions. Within the HateFree Culture campaign the project won a Prix Bohemia Award for the "Exteriery" podcast. The project disseminated and stimulated the cultivation of discussions and mutual relations on multiple levels - in the public space in the media, in private relationships, in joint activities, in schools and municipalities. Especially by working in schools, the project supported the sustainability and longer-term impact of the implemented activities. The resulting media outputs and created methodologies are further used in practice.
Summary of bilateral results
The project involved cooperation with the organization Trygg Laring (Safe Learning), Oslo, Norway. The representatives of the partner cooperated within the framework of the key activity "Let''s talk", namely through the preparation of training for lecturers of the key activity (including active participation in 2 workshops). The partner helped and cooperated in the creation of appropriate methodologies for work in schools, especially in the creation of the innovative methodology of the Use of Restorative Circles and in the sharing of their good practice. He consulted with the projectpromoter''s lecturers about the progress and results of the implementation of methodologies for working with target groups.