Hate speech and discrimination phenomena, both on the rise, breed an increased rate of hate- and xenophobia-triggered crime. The spread of such phenomena is made easier by social tolerance, demonstrated in the lack of firm objection and of local community response.
The purpose of the project was to provide local leaders from small towns of the Pomeranian and Varmia-Mazurian voivodships with skills enabling them to object to intolerance, and to take initiative to prevent discrimination.
The project resulted in the sensitisation of 307 persons from 10 towns of the Pomeranian and Varmia-Mazurian voivodships to tolerance issues, and in providing them with sufficient competencies to respond to discrimination and hate speech. Local leaders were empowered and took action: anti-discrimination events attracted more than 800 participants.
A School of Tolerance was organised for 10 local leaders. Local activities were implemented in a number of towns (605 hours of sensitisation workshops, 163 film screenings as part of the Tolerance Cinema programme, and 12 Living Library formula meetings). The Hate Speech Victims exhibition designed for project purposes was shown at each venue. An interactive web exhibition with an approximate reach of 880 recipients was organised. To foster active commitment to fighting discrimination, a collection of scenarios for future use by local leaders was published. Anti-discrimination classes were delivered for 32 students of pedagogy and related subjects.
The project closed with a conference at the Pomeranian Academy and a follow-up publication (collection on expert texts on discrimination).
Beneficiaries included 307 participants of workshops and other events, 100 conference attendants, and 880 recipients of the interactive exhibition.
The partner organisation was responsible for delivering student classes and co-organising the summary conference.