We A.R. – We Against Rumors

Racism and intolerance are increasing in Europe and discrimination episodes directly affect young people at multiple levels: 53.8% experienced discrimination at school, 50.5% in searching a job, 42.4% at the workplace, 29.2% when looking for accommodation, 26.6% in healthcare, 24.9% in restaurants or pubs, 24% at the cinema or theatre, 22.8% in shops and supermarkets, 15.8% in accessing justice or the legal systemFor this reason, the project “WE A.R.” aims at promoting the Anti-Rumours methodology in youth organizations and in the educational environments as a tool to address equity, diversity and inclusion challenges and to engage young people in creating more inclusive, intercultural and just societiesThe partnership will consist of 4 different no profit organizations active in the youth field and already collaborating with local authorities in the field of inclusion and non-discrimination. Specifically, the project will target: -Youth between 14 and 25 years of age, with a focus on youth at risk of social exclusion, both migrants and natives, with activities aimed at increasing their critical thinking skills, reducing hate speech, preventing intolerance and empowering them to become active local players of anti-discrimination-Youth workers, increasing their capacity to guide youth to prevent and combat intolerance. They are considered a priority target group because they operate in environments where discriminations grow and propagate and because of their responsibility in designing and implementing educational actions for preventing and managing instances of intolerance among young people.The following results will be reached:1.A Digital Educational Modules (learning curriculum) based on the anti-rumours methodology is designed, tested and made available on the Cazalla Intercultural e-learning platform (MOOC), targeting youth workers, teachers, educators and youth organizations in general, willing to apply and scale up this methodology in educational contexts. The curriculum will provide theoretical skills and practical tools to prevent discrimination and promote diversity by generating positive interactions among young people and other groups. 2.CSOs, youth organisations, schools, public authorities in 4 different EU countries (approx. 30 youth workers and educators) improve their understanding on discrimination roots and acquire specific competences on the Anti-rumours methodology as an innovative approach to prevent prejudices among young people and to facilitate their active role in dismantles stereotypes. 3.100 young people, aged between 14 and 25 years old, increase their competences on the discrimination phenomena and are directly engaged in countering intolerance and promoting effective positive narratives. By designing and implementing anti-rumours actions, the youth will become active “anti-rumours agents”, with a key-role in countering intolerance and discrimination within their social groups (schools, youth centres, families).4.A public awareness campaign is developed by young people and implemented both at the local and European level, raising awareness on the impact of rumours in schools and promoting “Cities Free of Rumours” across Europe. Approx. 1.500 young people will be directly reached through the communication campaigns promoted by their peers in schools and youth centres.The communication campaign and dissemination activities will also target approx. 3.000 citizens reached by youth anti-discrimination actions and 10.000 people reached via social media.The following activities will be carried out:-n° 4 Transnational Project meetings-Development of a new specific curriculum (anti-rumours educational modules) on the Cazalla e-learning platform (IO1)-Short-term joint staff training (C1), a so-called “Anti-Rumours Agents Academy” targeting the youth workers-Multiplier Events#1 (ME1, ME2, ME3, ME4), applying the anti-rumours educational modules in the implementation of anti-discrimination activities in youth centres and schools in each partner city-Virtual transnational exchanges among the groups of young people from the 4 partner cities-Public Awareness Campaign (IO3), the “Cities Free of Rumours” Campaign-Local networking activities coordinated by each partner to strengthen the integration of the anti-rumours methodology within local youth activities-A set of policies recommendations (IO3) elaborated and shared with youth centers, schools and local authorities’ representatives-Multiplier Events#2 (ME5, ME6, ME7, ME8), 1 in each city, to disseminate and share the project results and promote and spread anti-rumours actions led by young people