"Breaking Stereotypes"

Policy Response DateFebruary 13, 2008 Country: Italy General Type: Racist discourse, Discrimination, Institutional discrimination, Equality/Integration Racism and discrimination phenomena: Anti-migrant/xenophobia, Inter-ethnic
Groups affected / Interested in: Migrants, Ethnic minorities Key socio-economic/institutional areas: Employment - labour market, Education, Culture, Sport, Anti-discrimination, Anti-racism, Integration - social cohesion

“Breaking stereotypes” is an initiative promoted by UNAR and co-financed by the European Union. The project aim is to contribute to remove racial prejudices by means of reflection moments and intercultural comparison. “Breaking stereotypes” concerns the field of sensibilization activities undertaken by UNAR in order to have an increasing awareness of racial discrimination patterns and consequences and in order to promote the recognition of cultural diversity values.
- the IV° UNAR National Intercultural Competition, in cooperation with the Ministry of Public Education is addressed to university students, Italian High Schools and Cinema and Documentary Schools, and it will award 6 videos, documentaries and short films against any kind of stereotype and any kind of discrimination;
- the IV° “Maratona Stracittadina di Roma” in the pursuit of the “Breaking stereotypes” slogan and of the IV° Week of Action Against Racism (16-23 of March 2008). The Marathon is addressed to youths and families. 50.000 young people participated in the past marathons, dressing t-shirts and logos "I run against racism" and in the European campaign “For diversity, against discrimination”;
- a national training course on most recent normative instruments and safeguard actions against discriminatory behaviours, in cooperation with EIPA (European Institute for Public Administration). The training aims to play a role in the institutional strengthening of judicial and normative duties of the associations engaged in behalf of victims of discrimination;
- the Synesis Forum of the Career Day, scheduled for April 2008, is a moment of reflection on the right of equal treatment in the workplace. The event represents a meeting and comparison between university students and graduates coming from all Italian universities and representatives of the most important national and international companies. The "Career Day" focus on topics as economic role of discriminations and cultural diversity values in the recruitment of human resources, as well as a overview of business and company diversity management policies.

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