While Poland is gradually becoming an increasingly diverse country in terms of nationalities and ethnicity alike, foreigners remain a mere 1% of the society. Polish knowledge of people resident in geographically distant countries is poor, frequently resulting in stereotypes and attitudes of discrimination. The “Racism in Poland” report published by the HFHR in 2010 proves that public space lacks persons different in terms of their original culture, and that the few foreigners experience the atmosphere of their immediate surroundings as not too friendly.
The project purpose was to train teachers, journalists, NGO staff and activists in combating hostile, xenophobia-based attitudes. The other goal was to monitor the media for the use of language of discrimination against countries of the global South and their residents.
Support was offered to 4 groups (teachers, the media, NGOs, activists) with a capacity to shape the image of countries of the global South and their residents, with intent to consciously overcome stereotypes and prevent prejudice.
Twenty-three training sessions (double-module, mostly) were held, a total of 364 persons trained. Media were monitored for anti-discrimination symptoms; interventions were initiated as appropriate. “Talking About the Majority of the World” (2,000 copies) manual and “Speaking of the Majority of the World” (1,500 copies) magazine were published, the latter containing a partial monitoring summary. Five animations to the end of overcoming stereotypes and stimulating reflection were directed; 3 murals in Żywiec, Jelenia Góra, and Poznań were designed and painted by participants of the activists’ workshop.
Project beneficiaries included 354 representatives of the 4 key groups (teachers, the media, NGOs, activists) trained in combating discrimination, and 3,500 publication recipients.
The KLAMRA Foundation was the project partner, responsible for handling the mural project.