Diversity Education

New seminar pilot project:
Confronting Antisemitism and Islamophobia Through Media Literacy
December 2009 (Brussels)
For Jewish and Muslim youth leaders ( aged 18 - 35)

In December 2009, 20 young Jewish and Muslim people from 11 different European countries from as far afield as Azerbaijan, Denmark and the UK gathered together to Confront Antisemitism and Islamophobia through Media Literacy.

The seminar was a mix of seminar activities to bring out a deeper understanding of the myths that perpetrate antisemitism and islamophobia in today's society and in practical activities to help the young people develop their own media tools to combat antisemitism and islamophobia. One of the highlights of the seminar was the shared experience of lighting candles together for the Jewish festival of Chanukah and sharing in the Muslim call to prayer. And there was of course plenty of time for the seminar participants to exchange views, often long into the night.

This seminar was funded by theEuropean Youth Foundation of the Council of Europe and took place in partnership with Radio Salaam Shalom,

The project culminated in a 1.5 hour long podcast in English, Russian ,Germany and Dutch were project participants broadcast their views and culturally diverse music.

Many of the young people who took part in the seminar have gone back to their own communities to integrate what they have learnt into their own projects and communities. Some of the young people are also planning to become trainers to combat all forms of religious discrimination.

Participants said in their evaluation:

"We have to work together. We can use each other's skills to create a powerful sound/ voice."

"I am more motivated now I know there are more people who are ready to change together."

"What I take away from this seminar is the discussions in the breaks and evenings. The content in the sessions triggered these discussions and set the stage for this dialogue."

To learn more about what the participants thought about the seminar you can read the articles below.

• Read an article by Ayse Cind (in German)
• Read an article from Baku Weekly (in English)

For further information please contact training@ceji.org or call +32 (0)2 340 9623.

As young people are co-creators in society and culture, shaping the environments in which we live and ultimately inheriting and adapting the social systems that are currently in place, they are a crucial target for diversity training.

While young people are the ultimate beneficiary of the A CLASSROOM OF DIFFERENCE™ Programme for teachers, they are the primary actors in the Peer Training programme. The method of peer training, highlighted by the EU White Paper 'A New Impetus for European Youth' (PDF 382kb) as a best practice in the field of anti-discrimination education, is based upon the belief that young people deliver a message to their peers that is often more credible and efficient than when it is delivered by authority figures.

The Peer Training programme, using interactive activities, discussion groups, simulations, visualisations, role plays, and other forms of intercultural learning techniques, educates youth leaders to discuss issues related to prejudice and discrimination, to lead workshops that challenge stereotypes, and to become activists against exclusion with their youth organisations and schools. Peer training provides a forum for young people to speak honestly about issues that concern them, to explore solutions and new ways of doing things, and to better articulate their points of view to authority figures. Participants in peer training workshops are empowered by the support and credibility given to youth leaders in the school environment.

Since 1999, CEJI's peer training activities have been co-ordinated through the European Peer Training Organisation (EPTO). Originally set up by CEJI in 1996, EPTO recently became an independent organisation.