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ROUND
TABLE пїЅTOLERANCE AND YOUTHпїЅ On 8 of October 2002, a
round table was hold in the Center for Interethnic Cooperation devoted to the
problem of spreading racist and xenophobe mind among young people. The
leaders of national youth associations (Abkhazian, Azerbaijan, Ingush,
Latvian, Ossetian, Tadzhik, Tatar, Uighur, Ukrainian, Chechen), people from
Africa пїЅ representatives of the Moscow Protestant Chaplaincy, leaders of
different Moscow youth organizations (пїЅAssociation of Young LeadersпїЅ, Moscow
Social Youth Chamber, Fond пїЅGarantyпїЅ), representatives of the American Center
in Moscow, the MBOO пїЅThe Warm HouseпїЅ, the fond пїЅNovidпїЅ, the Moscow Ecological
Federation, the Institute of Philosophy RAN as well as journalists from
пїЅRadio RussiaпїЅ and from the Social Information Agency took part in the rather
heated discussion . пїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅ The following questions were discussed
on the round table: Reasons
for the spreading of racist and xenophobe minds among young people. What
corresponds to the interests of young people пїЅ the promotion of the ideas of tolerance
or the advancement of oneпїЅs own interests over these of others? Which
steps must be taken to stop violence by youth groupings on racial and ethnic
ground? All have
agreed that the common situation around ethnic minorities is alarming. This
situation is in no way acceptable for a country that requires a leading role
in the modern world. Among the main reasons for the display of intolerance
against the representatives of other nationalities the following were
mentioned: the social order (search for an enemy); economical reasons
(capture of the markets); the absence of political correctness in the mass
media (it is often simply disinformation); not realized or absence of youth
policy; a wrong migration policy by the state (deficiency of law), the possibility
of self-realization for young people in extremist organizations; information
deficiency about the peoples living in the country; absence of a state
anti-discrimination policy. Maria
Belozerova from the "Association of Young Leaders" spoke about the
interesting work of her organization at Moscow schools, which is directed to
the development of tolerance among pupils. This kind of tolerance lessons,
carried out by them in Moscow, would be useful for other schools in Russian
cities, too. The head of the public charitable society "The Warm
House", Natalija Nelidova, informed about trainings at schools carried
out by her organization in order to promote the ideas of tolerance. It has to
be emphasized, that a small Chechen girl having lost her mum by war is
brought up in her house. The representative of the African youth, which most
of all come in contact with "charm" of xenophobe and racist moods,
Taddele Gabriel, declared, that the authorities are responsible for the
infamous actions of skinheads.пїЅ During the
partly quite heated, partly controversial discussion, various variants were
proposed, which could soft the international situation grown in this country.
The participants of the round table paid particular attention to the
necessity of a closer dialogue, of meetings on different forums and of
festivals, concerts and evenings representing various nationalities. The
proposition was made to organize a mass action against racism and ethnic
discrimination in the Moscow House of Youth with participation of actors as
well as state and public persons known and popular by young people. Special
importance was attached to the work with young people in education,
especially to the realization of trainings for pupils and students on
tolerance and to the realization of tolerance lessons at schools. A
successful opposition to racism and xenophobia substantially depends on the
level of knowledge someone has about the rights and duties. Therefore the
proposition to study foreign experience directed on development of tolerance
and the creation of a multicultural society. In different statements it was
mentioned, that the lawyers of national communities could play an important
by using legal mechanisms of protection of the human rights in each case of
racism and xenophobia that appears. No crime on national ground should remain
without judicial investigation. Nevertheless,
the most important an most effective factor for the promotion of a tolerant
society is the existence of a state policy which shows interest and which works
firm in the protection of the rights of the citizens not depending on their
national, racial, religious or other belongings. Besides, a clear and precise
migration and youth policy that is directed on education of the future of the
country is very important. After the official
part of the round table, the participants continued their discussions over a
cup of tea. They broke up late in evening, previously by exchanging addresses
and telephone numbers and with the firm intention to meet again one month later
to discuss already concrete steps for opposing racism and xenophobia. |