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Challenging Antigypsyism through grassroots activism
Start date: Feb 5, 2016, End date: Aug 4, 2016 PROJECT  FINISHED 

Based on various experiences and projects in the last years, antigypsyism appeared as increasingly relevant topic in the youth work of Association of Young Roma (AYR) and of the Phiren Amenca International Network, especially regarding educational approaches and youth activism. The seminar aims to raise the awareness and activism to challenge antigypsyism, by creating local, national and European campaigns around it, especially in the countries of our partners and participants.40 Roma and non Roma youth leaders, youth workers, activists, volunteers and multipliers will come together in April 2016 for a 5 days seminar to challenge stereotypes and antigypsyism, to develop tools for creative campaigns and to engage in a public campaign for Roma rights during the seminar in Banska Bsytrica and after it, in they own countries.Main objectives of the seminar are:• To explore the concept of antigypsyism, its manifestations today and identify and develop responses through education and creative campaigns (for instance media, blog, art, music, street actions etc.);• Strengthening the development of critical thinking of the participants regarding antigypsyism and the situation of Roma in Europe, specifically in Slovakia by visiting local Roma communities there;• Sharing, developing, and training of innovative and creative methods and approaches of campaigning;• Engage in a public campaign for Roma rights and to challenge stereotypes, racism and antigypsyism;• Furthermore, by mobilization develop a critical thinking and activism against populist, racist and extremist movements in Europe;• Encourage the development of joint local follow-up activities.Background of the activity:Our partner, Romano Centro organised the first International Roma Youth Conference on Antigypsyism which was held in Austria, between November 10-16. 2014, in Vienna. The conference was organised by Phiren Amenca’s member organisation, Romano Centro, and its partner organisations. As it was a very successful and efficient event, our network decided to continue to organise conferences, seminars and/or youth exchanges around the topic, involving the members and partners of the Phiren Amenca Network. In November, 2015 our Spanish member, FAGIC took an important role in this development and took the responsibility to coordinate and host the conference in Barcelona with a support of its member organisations. This project brings together 50 current and former volunteers, youth leaders, multipliers, trainers and activists from six different countries during a 5 day lasting youth exchange in Barcelona, Spain.The seminar is designed as a non-formal intercultural learning environment, where young people and organisations can exchange their experience in working with young Roma and non Roma in order to challenge streotypes and racism, and build upon previous experiences and results. The seminar is also designed as a mutual learning situation, where participants can share their realities and to find responses to antigypsyism in their own context through grassroots activism and creative campaigning. The seminar will strengthen the development of critical thinking of participants regarding antigypsyism and the situation of Roma in Europe, specifically in Slovakia by visiting the Roma comminities and Roma neighborhoods in Valaská and in Banská Bystrica.During the 5 days seminar participants will have specific workshops on antigypsyism and creative workshops every day where they can create tools for grassroots activism and creative campaigns. The result of the seminar will be presented in a street action and in a public event on the last days.After the seminar, the participants will have improved expert knowledge, know many different projects and initiatives, have dealt with methods and teaching materials and have engaged themselves in creative, artistic ways to approach antigypsyism. They will be encouraged in their commitment and qualified to introduce the new skills and experiences to their organisations and to realize them in their surroundings. Through this, not only the participants will be empowered, but also their organizations and step step their local communities as well. Because of their important role as multipliers, they ensure that antigypsyism in Europe will be discussed and fought.
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