"FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH, DON'T JUDGE!" CAMPAIGN BEGINS

11. December 2019.

Nis - The "Familiarize Yourself with, Don't Judge!" campaign, aimed at raising awareness of the problem of discrimination against the Roma and encouraging adequate response and prevention, began with a panel discussion held in Nis.

Representatives of the Ministry of Labor, Employment, Veterans 'and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, the Commissioner for Equal Protection and civic associations "Economic and Social Rights Initiative A-11" and "Roma World" participated in the panel discussion.

Panel discussions and the "Familiarize Yourself with, Don't Judge!" campaign are implemented by the Ternipe association, with the support of the German Organization for International Cooperation GIZ.

The campaign aims to reduce prejudice against the Roma and promote tolerance and anti-discrimination.

Serbia has the necessary legal grounds and mechanisms to combat discrimination against Roma, but they are not sufficiently implemented. The basic condition for the advancement of the Roma position is the suppression of stereotypes and prejudices, which still exist at all levels of society and limit access to education, the health care and social care systems, employment and housing, it was concluded at yesterday’s panel discussion held in Nis.

A recent survey entitled Citizens' Attitudes towards Discrimination in Serbia shows that two thirds of citizens (69%) recognize that discrimination is large in Serbia, while 50% perceive Roma as the most exposed group to discrimination. "But the report also shows that respondents living in southern and eastern Serbia, where extreme cases of discrimination are reported and where a large number of Roma live, perceive Roma as a vulnerable group in the smallest percentage (13%)," said Ivana Filipov, a councilor with the Equal Protection Commissioner.

Panel discussions that are part of the "Familiarize Yourself with, Don't Judge!" campaign will be held in Belgrade, Leskovac and Novi Sad in the coming period.

“Other campaign activities are targeted at young people because they are more open to adopting new views. That is why the campaign is focused on social networks and it includes well-known celebrities and public figures in Serbia.. Also, in ten secondary schools in ten cities in Serbia, youth from school parliaments will receive the manuals and materials they need to organize workshops and other activities on discrimination”, said Radmila Nesic, the Head of the “Ternipe” civic association.

Source: Plusonline and Coordination Body