Report on seminar and training session in Perm � 21-22nd of April 2007 We went to Perm from the 21-22nd of April to again meet with local youth in order to discuss the question of fighting extremism and xenophobia. This was made possible thanks to the financial support of the National Fund for Democracy and the Mott Foundation (U.S). The training session was carried out in a wonderful venue, the Perm State Gorky Library. The youth of Perm pleasantly surprised us right from the start. First and foremost nobody was late as is usually the case when the seminar is held on the outskirts of the city and especially on a weekend. In addition to this there were a far greater number of people interested in the theme of our training session than we had supposed. We had expected a turn out of 16 people but there were 5 times that number. If we are going to discuss the youth of Perm, then there is no one better placed than the participants of our seminar themselves to characterize it. And so, from their point of view, the average young person in Perm is: - Self confident - Sociable, communicative - Practical - Focused After such results, we were even more interested to find out what �Tolerance� meant to these young people. On the whole, the participants not only produced identical answers but also used the same vocabulary to express their ideas. However, there was less unanimity amongst the participants when time came to estimate the level of tolerance amongst youth in the region. We proposed a five point scale, with 1 being �terrible� and 5, �excellent�. Two people gave a grade of 2, twelve people 3, five people 4 and one person gave 5. The next turn in the discussion was entirely logical. What are the reasons for such a low level of tolerance in the Perm region? Socio-economical instability Surplus of energy Pseudo-patriotism A desire to fit in with peers A way to assert oneself Aggressive inclinations Low intellect Susceptibility to ideology Absence of ones own opinions To increase ones own status Feeling of importance and superiority Material gain Absence of alternatives Absence of a national idea Limited views, a narrow minded outlook Psychological conflict in the family Social influence in schools (or in the street or college) Social circle Activity of extremist groups and leaders Drugs, alcohol The media Envy And what concrete actions can youth organizations take to promote the development of tolerance in Perm? When this question was asked at the seminar, the young people answered: Group No. 1: Mass events (Conferences, celebrations, concerts) Cooperation with the media Cooperation with the organs of power Release of recorded material (audio, video) Cooperation with other social organizations Teaching tolerance in schools Organizing and carrying out interethnic camps Group No.2: Creating a collective organization Creating programs aimed at different social institutions but based on one idea Creating a methodical center for the study of the work of these programs Publications Festival of friendship between peoples. Carry out a carnival-style parade featuring representatives of different cultures on the Day of the City Interregional cooperation Group No.3: Identify the Problems Engage attention by way of - Mass events - The media - Involving educational institutions The creation of peaceful alternatives to fascist organizations Conducting explanatory work Further we considered it urgent to demonstrate the main ways of realizing these projects, especially as one of the groups had identified the need for this work. Having been divided into three groups and chosen the most interesting and feasible projects that could be carried out in Perm, the young people set to work. The results of this work turned out to be extremely impressive. Project �Harmony� (Tolerance lessons in schools) Goal: The inculcation of tolerant views and behavior amongst school children in the Perm region Tasks: An analysis of the situation revealing the most �painful� points Developing ways of working with schoolchildren Carrying out the events Summarizing the experience and releasing methodical manuals Organizer: Open Company �Temple of Tolerance�. Executors: Specialists under contract and volunteers Main events: Seminar Training Session Lectures Talk show Festival Publication of methodical manuals Press conference Duration: From May 2007 to May 2008 Budget: - Salary of specialists and project leaders: 40 000 rubles - Travel: 30 000 rubles - Office material: 10 000 rubles - Publication material: 10 000 rubles - Carrying out the festival: 20 000 rubles Partners: Ministry of Education, Ministry of Culture, libraries, media, publishing houses, ethnic organizations, �LUKOIL� Sources of financing: regional and municipal budgets, sponsors, social organizations. Project �Ark� (interethnic camp) Goal: Promoting tolerance amongst young people Tasks: Educational work Sports and cultural events Organizers and executors: volunteers from social organizations from previous training sessions Main Events: Training sessions Cognitive games Evening events Competitions Getting acquainted with other cultures Anastasiya Sviyazova
Report on seminar and training session in Perm � 21-22nd of April 2007
The youth of Perm pleasantly surprised us right from the start. First and foremost nobody was late as is usually the case when the seminar is held on the outskirts of the city and especially on a weekend. In addition to this there were a far greater number of people interested in the theme of our training session than we had supposed. We had expected a turn out of 16 people but there were 5 times that number. If we are going to discuss the youth of Perm, then there is no one better placed than the participants of our seminar themselves to characterize it.
And so, from their point of view, the average young person in Perm is:
- Self confident - Sociable, communicative - Practical - Focused
After such results, we were even more interested to find out what �Tolerance� meant to these young people.
On the whole, the participants not only produced identical answers but also used the same vocabulary to express their ideas. However, there was less unanimity amongst the participants when time came to estimate the level of tolerance amongst youth in the region. We proposed a five point scale, with 1 being �terrible� and 5, �excellent�. Two people gave a grade of 2, twelve people 3, five people 4 and one person gave 5.
The next turn in the discussion was entirely logical.
What are the reasons for such a low level of tolerance in the Perm region?
Group No. 1:
Group No.2:
Group No.3:
Further we considered it urgent to demonstrate the main ways of realizing these projects, especially as one of the groups had identified the need for this work. Having been divided into three groups and chosen the most interesting and feasible projects that could be carried out in Perm, the young people set to work. The results of this work turned out to be extremely impressive.
Partners: Ministry of Education, Ministry of Culture, libraries, media, publishing houses, ethnic organizations, �LUKOIL� Sources of financing: regional and municipal budgets, sponsors, social organizations.
Anastasiya Sviyazova
