Youth Power had the opportunity to participate in the youth exchange “Free Your Mind” in Zagreb from 18.6 to 28.6.2019. On this project, young people had the opportunity to explore how prejudices and stereotypes emerge and what their impact is.
Stereotypes and prejudices are harmful because they ignore the fact that each individual has their own abilities, strengths, weaknesses, desires, thoughts and feelings. Even if the stereotype is true in certain situations, setting someone down or discriminating does not encourage that person to succeed. The aim of this project was to remove stereotypes and prejudices among young people and work to promote tolerance, acceptance and social inclusion.
Other project goals were:
- Raise awareness of the harmful effects of stereotypes and prejudices and reduce discrimination and violence among young people. Participants learned about prejudice, stereotypes and discrimination. They critically were thinking about the prevention of these phenomena in society against different groups such as women, Roma, LGBT people or refugees, as well as the causes of these prejudices and stereotypes.
- Learn about the impact of modern technology that can influence the development of stereotypes and prejudices. Modern technology,Internet, has opened new ways to combat stereotypes, prejudices and discrimination, but has created new opportunities for violence and discrimination. Participants had the opportunity to learn that social media profiles and their “virtual identity” are part of their personal process. They talked about how rude comments and hatred on the internet can create a crisis of confidence.
- Improve the capacity of partner organizations to carry out non-formal education activities