Conclusions from the round table "Interculturalism and Youth"

(Belgrade, University of Arts Rectorate, September 23, 2009) On September 23, 2009, nongovernmental organisations Group 484 and Centre for Modern Skills organised a round table "Interculturalism and Youth" within the national presentation of the project "Leave a Trace, Change the Place – advocacy initiative for minorities". On that occasion, young activities presented their advocacy campaigns in the local community, as well as proposals for the improvement of the conditions of minority rights in Serbia. The round table participants were greeted by representatives of national and international institutions in the field and presented programmes that contribute to intercultural dialogue: Luca Ester Kadar of the European Commission Delegation in the Republic of Serbia, Konstantin Gerokostopoulos, special representative of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe in Serbia / Belgrade Office Head, and Marko Karadžić, State Secretary, Ministry of Human and Minority Rights. PhD, Mr Miodrag Jovanović (Faculty of Law of the Belgrade University) and PhD, Ms Milena Dragićević – Šešić (Faculty of Drama Arts, Head of UNESCO Chair in Interculturalism, Art Management and Mediation) as representatives of the academic community provided theoretical and social framework, and precise context in which the activities for youth were realised in this project. Their perspective of the issue of interculturalism and minority rights was also presented by young representatives of political parties: Dane Pribić, MP at the Vojvodina Parliament, G17 Youth Network; Milana Mudrinski, member of the Executive Board of the Youth of Social Democrats of Vojvodina; Miloš Kuzmanović, representative of the Youth of Liberal Democratic Party; Nina Živanović, General Secretary of the Youth of Social Democratic Union, and Marko Nikolić, spokesperson for the Youth of Democratic Party. The round table “Interculturalism and Youth” has produced the following conclusions and recommendation for the promotion of intercultural dialogue in Serbia: The Ministry of Education should instigate implementation of concept of interculturalism in education through appropriate selection of educational contents, value systems and behaviour models. Only through adopting and instigating learning about others, through the implementation of intercultural value system and non-discriminatory behaviour models we will create educational ambient that is open and benevolent. It is exceptionally important that the Ministry of Culture supports Cultural and artistic production that enables everyone, especially youth, to learn about ethnic and cultural diversity of the region we live in (Serbia, the region and Europe) Programmes/projects/activities that with artistic means promote the adoption of intercultural values, social connection of minority and majority communities. The Serbian Government should ensure conditions and instigate larger mobility of youth and their participation in various exchange programmes. It is also necessary that the Government of the Republic of Serbia provides institutional support to all forms of youth activism and volunteerism that support values of intercultural learning. It is necessary that all the media, especially the public service, equally represent and promote richness of diversity with their programmes, as well as open space for minority groups.   Group 484, Centre for Modern Skills and the project team "Leave a Trace, Change the Place – advocacy initiative for minorities" are responsible for the adopted conclusions and recommendations from this round table to be the joint obligation in the upcoming period.

 

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