Description
The project addresses the spread of racism, xenophoby and hate speech in society. The project aims at raising public awareness and promoting greater tolerance via reading of “living books” (interesting stories shared by refugees, ethnic minorities, LGBTI, people with mental disabilities, former inmates). First, 4 information campaigns will be launched at the university campuses in Plovdiv and Blagoevgrad to attract 120 students as “readers”. Second, the “readers” will take part in a 2-day training to learn how to use “living books”. Third, 12 “living books” will be selected and encouraged to share their stories during individual motivation sessions and 2 two-day trainings. Finally, reading of “living books” will be held in the cities of Plovdiv and Blagoevgrad for 4 days. The project will benefit not only the 120 students “readers” but also vulnerable groups and the local community in general. The partner will help organize the information campaigns, trainings and reading event.
Summary of project results
The project met the need for understanding and tolerance for the specific different minority groups in the public. With the innovative approach of Human Library that has been selected, the project aimed at reducing racism, xenophobia, hate speech and intolerance in the public. Standards for the use of the method in Bulgaria were drafted after the organization had been granted permission by Human Library Organization. 30 members of minority groups who have been a target of prejudices and stereotypes (i.e. living books) were attracted and motivated to take part. The other main target group was students as the people in the project and in the method who are interested and well-aware of their need to develop their social competence. After the information campaign held 4 groups were set up with a total of 120 students from Paisii Hilendarsky Plovdiv University, Plovdiv University of Medicine, University of food Technology, Plovdiv, St. Neofit Rilski South West University, Blagoevgrad and American University in Bulgaria. The main activity was the 4 reading days. The events were carried out in line with all the requirements for the Human Library. 13 sessions in total were held. All titles were properly selected and served the purpose to provoke stereotypes. The translated materials and the experience gathered gives us reason to believe that the method can be introduced in the school curricula as early as pre-school. The method was adopted and has been applied in Social Anthropology Specialty of Paisii Hilendarski Plovdiv University. The application of the method has strengthened the missions of various NGOs to actively protect the rights of their target groups (Union of the Disabled, LGBT, etc). For more information:
www.thelivingbooksbg.com
Summary of bilateral results