Description
The aim of the project is to increase protection of migrants`rights living in the Czech Republic through training and individual support and raising of public awareness among Czech majority. Lack of awareness (on both sides) has repeatedly proved to be a source of xenophobic or discriminatory behaviour. the project will offer training and counseling services for migrants, that will help them uphold their rights and better defend themselves against discrimination. A public seminar both for public and for professionals working with migrants is also a part of the project.
Summary of project results
Foreigners face discrimination every day, because of their gender, ethnicity, religion, language barriers and others. The most frequent source of xenophobic or discriminatory behavior was a lack of awareness of the majority about foreigners and the lack of socio-cultural skills of foreigners as well as their underdeveloped ability to take responsibility for their situation and to resist discriminatory treatment. Project education and counseling has been set up in order to help foreigners defend themselves against the discrimination, naturally enhancing their ability to actively use the acquired knowledge, improve their communication skills and assertiveness. During the final event for the public, the seminar, we have opened a dialogue about working with differences of some individuals from several points of view. Low-threshold and development courses focused on clear transmission of information regarding practical training assertive behavior in situations of discrimination, gaining self-confidence and communication skills. Individual counseling helped foreigners to know how to defend their rights in various areas of their life; it allowed foreigners to create their own strategies and procedures to deal with specific discriminatory situations. For this occasion we invited experts from different fields of work with clients to show methodological tools how to work with people from various cultural environments and to let all the participants gain new perspective on mutual coexistence. The project had a positive impact to participants of the courses as well as to clients of individual counseling. Most of participants felt improvement in acquired skills and felt positive effect of practicing Czech language. During the individual counseling most of the consultations focused clearly on problems that were solved during one or few meetings. Most of clients came to an independent decision, about the way to go in their personal or professional situation, which can be considered as a success of this activity.
Summary of bilateral results