Who doesn’t love a good public debate?
On February 9th, we implemented AHEAD public debates at the Second Gymnasium in Zenica. Over 30 young participants engaged in debates covering the topic of the position of marginalized groups.
The main focus of the debates was on fostering dialogue and empathy among young participants. They served as a platform where young people could express their opinions fully without being scared of judgment. These debates were of great importance as participants got the opportunity to indulge in talks that are rarely covered by the educational system. This approach wasn’t only refreshing but also necessary to raise awareness about the position and problems of marginalized groups in BiH.
In today’s world, it is really important to make space for having constructive discussion that would benefit both sides and that’s what the AHEAD debate exactly was! It was all about young people and empowering them to use their voice and express their opinions, and experiences while gaining new knowledge.
They were forced to think outside of the box and go against their own biases. This approach pushed them out of their comfort zones but still helped them gain a broader perspective on the differences around them!
The participants upgraded their critical thinking, communication, and listening skills while gaining valuable experience. The AHEAD debate didn’t only foster a competitive spirit among participants but also empathy, inspiring everyone to be better to contribute to a more inclusive society for all!
We are grateful to the administration of the Second Gymnasium in Zenica for providing the premises for the activity and to the optimistic participants who took part in the debates. Another chapter of the AHEAD story is closed and we are patiently waiting for the next one!
More about AHEAD project:
AHEAD project aims to promote between youngsters non–discrimination and to combat racism, xenophobia and other forms of intolerance against Roma and other Ethnic minorities (mostly migrants). Partners jointly work on innovative good practice approaches, human rights-based narratives, training, official regular meetings, and European awareness raising campaigns. The project promotes inclusion, tolerance, mutual and multicultural understanding, and fight Roma, ethnic minorities, and migrants in Europe through an innovative approach that combines research, training (national and international) on antidiscrimination and on hate speech, round tables, seminars, the exchange of good practices, meetings between different representatives, stakeholders, CSOs, and youth associations, and a massive dissemination campaign.
The project aims to contribute to strengthening the capacity building of young victims (part of minorities) and the protection of youngsters belonging to minorities by supporting them in capacity building and structuring new mechanisms in public consultations in partner’s country (replicable all over Europe) on the issue of nondiscrimination and fighting every form of hate speech against ethnic minorities, Roma and migrants.
AHEAD’s aim is to tackle hate speech (also online) and to combat discriminations that target minorities in 5 areas of civil rights: education, labor, housing, health, goods and services, through specific training offered to 200 participants and through an new approach that combines quantitative research, public meetings with stakeholders, and awareness raising campaign. After providing expertise, building competences, advocating and raising awareness among youth people, partners will support the mobilization of young victims and will focus on Capacity building actions for youth, in order to involve Youngsters in decision making and into new structured automatic mechanisms to empower their active participation on hate speech and antidiscrimination.