Description
Stereotypes are getting stronger against minorities especially Roma people. Between children this phenomena can be seen in schools of disadvantaged settlements. The prejudices are mostly based on the lack of information. A long term change can be achieved with constructive common activities and by changing the aspects of children. The objective is to contribute to a receptive and tolerant society, to support the integration of youth. It aims to familiarize children with different cultures and social habits thus they will mutually accept each other, they will gain new experiences and friends. The project promotes equal chances, values of democratic societies and actions against discrimination. The organization and its cooperative partners will hold advanced trainings for pedagogies; organize sensitizing programs for children (e.g. interactive presentations on tolerance). Children will elaborate several themes on democracy and tolerance in a creative way like performances, music programs or presentations. Students will also take part in a special democracy game. The target group contains about 90 pupils and 6-8 teachers from 3 primary schools.
Summary of project results
Stereotypes are getting stronger against minorities especially Roma people. Between children this phenomena can be seen in schools of disadvantaged settlements. The prejudices are mostly based on the lack of information. The objective was to contribute to form a receptive and tolerant society, to support the integration of youth and to familiarize children with different cultures and social habits thus they would mutually accept each other, gain new experiences and friends. The project promoter with the cooperating organizations developed a complex development program which main theme was fostering tolerance and openness in disadvantaged schools. Teachers got know the program in a workshop; several background materials were prepared and given to them. Each school made a video in which participants (around 90 youngsters) could introduce their group. One group from Budapest already had a performance titled Tshibawu, the invulnerable law; so they went to Bőcs and Ózd and performed it in front of their peers. The play was based on a film, “Kiriku” what the youth also watch and then together they discussed the theme. Within the second school program, youth could hear the presentation of France Mutombo then they discussed the presentation and played several sensitizing games. The third school program was about stereotypes: youth participated in sensitizing situation games then discussed the experiences. At the end of each school program, youth got an exercise so they wrote essays in which they elaborated their views and opinion on the themes. Within the frame of the project, the Hungarian representative of the No Hate Speech movement held presentations. During the 2-day-long closing event youth could participate in several sensitizing games; they performed their own plays and during the event they prepared a monumental artwork. Attitude examination of the project showed positive changes: participants became more aware of children’s Rights, they are more open to accept foreigners, and they are more open to undertake a conflict. These developments could be seen as children from the segregated schools (from Ózd and Bőcs) and children from Budapest became more tolerant and open towards each other.
Summary of bilateral results