New project for combating homophobia
New project aim to fight homophobia in schools. Based on knowledge and experiences among European countries, the goal is to create learning tools for teachers when facing homophobia in schools.
m s
Speed:
by Aziz Fall
There is no doubt that human rights violations on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity are still common occurrence in the world; and Europe is no exception in that unfortunate dynamic.
We still hear accounts of discrimination, social stigma, stereotyping and violence against LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) persons and this phenomenon is taking place with varied scope all over the European continent.
To address this issue DIHR initiated in 2010 a two-year-project financed by the Council of Europe: “It takes all kind: fighting homophobia in schools”.
The project is conducted in cooperation with ten LGBT NGOs in ten different European countries: Denmark: “LGBT Denmark”; Sweden: “RFSL”; Ireland “GLEN”; Poland “Campaign against Homophobia”; Latvia: “Mozaika”; Bulgaria: “Bilitis”; Romania: “ACCEPT”; Spain: “FELGTB”; Portugal: “ILGA-Portugal”; Belgium: “ILGA-Europe”.
A series of meetings with partners, Ministries of Education and other relevant stakeholders has been conducted in the course of the year with the purpose to uncover the scope of discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity in schools and the level of awareness on issues as human rights, citizenship and equal treatment among teachers, students and other relevant school personnel. Another important aspect that we have been able to touch upon is the mechanisms of action available to the actors involved in addressing discrimination, bullying and harassment among students and teachers and more importantly the level of commitment of the authorities to make fighting these unfortunate practices a priority.
Two-speed Europe
The outcome of the meetings is indicative of the magnitude of the challenge we face in the European Union. While some encouraging signs can be traced in countries like Sweden, Portugal and Spain, the picture is significantly different in countries like Romania, Bulgaria and Latvia to name just a few among the countries partners. This goes to show that discrimination against LGBT persons is a serious issue and a major road block in our aspiration to build a society, where all human rights are respected and protected.
Camilla R. B. Silva Fløistrup was among the project assistants who travelled to visit partners and her views are unequivocal on the fact that what is common to the countries visited by her is the lack of visibility of LGBT persons. Some people think there are no homosexuals in their society. According to her one important strategy that the project can use is focusing on teachers. Teacher have to be able to talk openly about sexuality and themes concerning human rights, sexuality and equal treatment have to be integrated to the school curriculum.
Actionable tools for NGOs and schools
In this light a concerted effort is required where we allow best practices to be spread and experiences to be shared. That is why the core of this project consists of creating hands on tools for NGOs, teachers and students.
The project ambition is to provide NGOs with support on advocacy since this is a powerful way to generate the needed attention on the matter. The web-based tool for NGOs will also allow them to ‘meet’ and exchange information, inspiration and experience on the international level. The NGO website has a forum for partner NGOs and other interested NGOs to discuss relevant issues online.
For teachers, a website will be launched providing them with an educational resource for designing their own education processes on issues as discrimination, equal treatment, human rights etc. The same resource will also address school management and provide them with concrete tools and inspiration on how to eliminate discriminatory practices on the institutional/organizational level in their schools. This web-based resource will be equipped with an easy accessible search instrument, so that its users quickly can find relevant information in compliance with their needs and affiliation status.
Finally a web universe will be developed for students to get information and learn about discrimination and equal treatment with an emphasis on discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. It is planned to be simple, precise, intuitive and interactive as well as appealing for young children and teenagers. The website will for instance include a number of tests and quizzes; an interactive game, videos and other applications, which will make it fun and interesting to visit again and again.
There is no doubt that human rights violations on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity are still common occurrence in the world; and Europe is no exception in that unfortunate dynamic.
We still hear accounts of discrimination, social stigma, stereotyping and violence against LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) persons and this phenomenon is taking place with varied scope all over the European continent.
To address this issue DIHR initiated in 2010 a two-year-project financed by the Council of Europe: “It takes all kind: fighting homophobia in schools”.
The project is conducted in cooperation with ten LGBT NGOs in ten different European countries: Denmark: “LGBT Denmark”; Sweden: “RFSL”; Ireland “GLEN”; Poland “Campaign against Homophobia”; Latvia: “Mozaika”; Bulgaria: “Bilitis”; Romania: “ACCEPT”; Spain: “FELGTB”; Portugal: “ILGA-Portugal”; Belgium: “ILGA-Europe”.
A series of meetings with partners, Ministries of Education and other relevant stakeholders has been conducted in the course of the year with the purpose to uncover the scope of discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity in schools and the level of awareness on issues as human rights, citizenship and equal treatment among teachers, students and other relevant school personnel. Another important aspect that we have been able to touch upon is the mechanisms of action available to the actors involved in addressing discrimination, bullying and harassment among students and teachers and more importantly the level of commitment of the authorities to make fighting these unfortunate practices a priority.
Two-speed Europe
The outcome of the meetings is indicative of the magnitude of the challenge we face in the European Union. While some encouraging signs can be traced in countries like Sweden, Portugal and Spain, the picture is significantly different in countries like Romania, Bulgaria and Latvia to name just a few among the countries partners. This goes to show that discrimination against LGBT persons is a serious issue and a major road block in our aspiration to build a society, where all human rights are respected and protected.
Camilla R. B. Silva Fløistrup was among the project assistants who travelled to visit partners and her views are unequivocal on the fact that what is common to the countries visited by her is the lack of visibility of LGBT persons. Some people think there are no homosexuals in their society. According to her one important strategy that the project can use is focusing on teachers. Teacher have to be able to talk openly about sexuality and themes concerning human rights, sexuality and equal treatment have to be integrated to the school curriculum.
Actionable tools for NGOs and schools
In this light a concerted effort is required where we allow best practices to be spread and experiences to be shared. That is why the core of this project consists of creating hands on tools for NGOs, teachers and students.
The project ambition is to provide NGOs with support on advocacy since this is a powerful way to generate the needed attention on the matter. The web-based tool for NGOs will also allow them to ‘meet’ and exchange information, inspiration and experience on the international level. The NGO website has a forum for partner NGOs and other interested NGOs to discuss relevant issues online.
For teachers, a website will be launched providing them with an educational resource for designing their own education processes on issues as discrimination, equal treatment, human rights etc. The same resource will also address school management and provide them with concrete tools and inspiration on how to eliminate discriminatory practices on the institutional/organizational level in their schools. This web-based resource will be equipped with an easy accessible search instrument, so that its users quickly can find relevant information in compliance with their needs and affiliation status.
Finally a web universe will be developed for students to get information and learn about discrimination and equal treatment with an emphasis on discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. It is planned to be simple, precise, intuitive and interactive as well as appealing for young children and teenagers. The website will for instance include a number of tests and quizzes; an interactive game, videos and other applications, which will make it fun and interesting to visit again and again.