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Human Library Online

2020-3-PL01-KA105-0948092020Youth mobilityfinalized
Countries: PL|CZ|IT|NL|BE · Grant: €19,479
Social dialogueInclusion - equityDisabilities - special needs

Objectives

The idea of the project was as a direct response to the need of developing new educational tools that could be used in NFE during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic caused extreme and extensive disturbances throughout all European societies, it influenced and amplified the bias and prejudice, discrimination, and social isolation of diverse groups, especially minorities. Europe has been dealing with large and vocal populist movements, often resulting in violent rejection of minorities, migrants, and refugees. As educators working directly with people from minorities through the Human/Living Library method, we observed that the social isolation protocols in many countries during the pandemic led to people relying and contacting only people within their in-groups. That was a major problem in keeping and continuing the NFE in providing a form of contact that can also combat the rising negative trend. We knew that innovative methods of conversation-based communication (so that people can have a more meaningful exchange of ideas and thoughts) was needed for the foreseeable future as Europe and the rest of the world dealt with the medical and economic aspects of the crisis. Together with our partners we’ve been using the Human/Living Library methodology for years and tested it as an effective method of combating prejudice and stigmatisation. Research done has shown that something as simple as a (short) personal talk can already cause people to overcome some of their most basic prejudices and stigmas towards one another. Research has shown also that people speaking with "Books" have changed (passively or actively) their interactions with others (refugees, minorities, or disadvantaged groups). However, while the current situation back then in many countries didn’t allow for the actual holding of public events, we wanted to use an opportunity to hold a project that could result in the actualisation of practical tools like the Human/Living Library and digital activities that other educators could use. Our aim was to bring youth-workers from Europe together, in order to develop competencies regarding the implementation of digital forms of Human/Living Libraries while also developing the digital and analogue tools necessary to better train organisers, youth-workers and volunteers, with potentially more interactive digital methodologies for other forms of conversation-based communication. Looking at the results of the project we can say we achieved what we most wanted to achieve, meaning - we empowered participants in developing competencies related to promoting respect for diversity through online-methods. The two mobilities had the following objectives: - Provide knowledge about stereotypes, prejudices, stigmatisation and exclusion to youth workers - Help youth workers analyse their work related to issues surrounding stigmatisation and discrimination - Support youth workers to gain competences regarding the organisation of digital Human/Living Libraries and all the (digital and interactive) tools that would be necessary - Support the inclusion of minorities, migrants, and refugees through digital means - Publish a short guide with best practices for digitally running conversation-based communication events along with the (side-) tools necessary for other organisations

Project partners (5)