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Diferente mas Igual: Vozes da Diversidade, Reflexão sobre Direitos Humanos

2025-1-PT02-KA152-YOU-0003056612025Mobility of young peopleongoing
Countries: PT|EE|HU|IT|RO|ES|MK · Grant: €45,416
Creativity, arts and cultureMedia literacy and tackling disinformationPromoting LGBT+ equality

Objectives

What if history told the stories of young people whose voices have been silenced? What if we could reshape our understanding of the past to include the experiences of LGBTQIA+ youth? How could this change our perception of democracy and human rights? From the very beginning, the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights has been at a disadvantage. The World Health Organization classified homosexuality as a mental disorder until 1990, despite the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, proclaimed in 1948, stating that “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” In recent years, Europe has witnessed a worrying rise in violence and discrimination against LGBTQIA+ youth. Anti-LGBTQIA+ laws in Hungary have been replicated in Romania, worsening the situation. This has led to an increase in violent incidents and discrimination in schools and workplaces, fueled by transphobic rhetoric surrounding new legislation in Spain. According to ILGA-Europe's 2023 report, violence against LGBTQIA+ individuals has reached its highest level in a decade. Notable attacks include a shooting at a queer venue in Norway, resulting in the deaths of two people and injuries to 21 others, and an attack by far-right extremists in Slovakia, which claimed two lives. These incidents are part of a broader pattern of unprecedented homophobic violence reported in 16 European countries, including France, the UK, and Germany. ILGA-Europe directly links this violence to hate speech, emphasizing that it will persist until policymakers take concrete measures to combat hateful rhetoric and protect LGBTQIA+ communities. The report warns that "the lack of legislative action to condemn and punish such speech, combined with the growing influence of populist movements, creates an environment of impunity, where hate is normalized and violence is encouraged." With this project, we aim to reduce the prevalence of hate speech, online harassment, and discrimination targeting LGBTQIA+ youth and other minorities in digital spaces, particularly within populist political campaigns that attempt to marginalize these communities, making history repeat itself. How will we do this? We will promote media literacy, which is essential given that the GLAAD Report (2021) states that "approximately 64% of LGBTQIA+ social media users have faced online harassment and hate speech, a significantly higher rate compared to other identity groups." The ODLAN Survey (2022) highlights that LGBTQIA+ individuals and organizations face queerphobic hate online through various channels, including public comments, private messages, emails, and virtual events. We recognize that young people today are constantly connected to social media and the internet, but it is crucial to educate and inform them about using these tools for good rather than harm. First and foremost, we aim to develop essential skills, including digital literacy and critical thinking. Empowering young people to analyze and understand information effectively is crucial to equipping them with the necessary tools to navigate contemporary challenges. Through structured and hands-on activities, participants will be encouraged to enhance their verbal and non-verbal communication skills, deepen their understanding of social media, and strengthen their ability to differentiate between accurate information and misinformation. The activities designed for this project will also ensure that participants gain practical knowledge on inclusion, addressing serious issues like bullying and racism, and learning how to support individuals who face these challenges daily. Participants will be provided with tools to combat racism and discrimination effectively. All these themes will be explored through an artistic approach, emphasizing culture as a key element in young people’s lives—ultimately fostering cultural growth and increased youth participation within the EU. As young people, it is also imperative that we promote healthy behaviors through discussions, comparisons of realities, and the introduction of positive practices throughout the project. We will raise awareness of the current state of human rights in the EU and the efforts being made to improve the situation. This project promotes diversity, intercultural dialogue, and learning, fostering a sense of unity through diversity within the EU. In summary, we aim to raise awareness of human rights and social inclusion through art in the EU, engaging participants in discussions and group activities while highlighting the Erasmus+ program, EU values, and opportunities for future participation. This will be achieved using non-formal education methods, ensuring recognition through the YouthPass certificate.

Project partners (7)