Youth meeting “Intercultural and Interreligious Diologue v.s. Hate-motivated Violence in Europe” took place on 21-26 April in Bakuriani, Georgia. This event was organized by “Union 21 century” – a non-governmental organization, which carries out socio-cultural projects and delivers monitoring of hate crimes in Georgia.
The major topics of the meeting were: the level of right-wing extremists’ violence in Europe, European and national legislation that addresses hate crimes, methods of counteracting that are available for the youth sector of civil society in Europe.
Representatives of Ministry of Justice of Georgia and Tolerance Centre of Ombudsman’s Office of Georgia delivered reports about the International tools Georgia employs to combat hate-motivated violence and about the rise of religious-motivated intolerance in Georgia.
Activists from Germany, Italy, Armenia, Russia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and other countries also held reports about the relevant situation in their home environment.
Anastasia Denisova, the member of Coordinating Council of International Youth Human Rights Movement contributed to the International Meeting on behalf of Youth Network against Racism and Intolerance (YNRI). Her presentation “Civil Society Activism: what is done and what needs to be done” was devoted to the analysis of the youth factor in right-wing extremism, especially in Russia, and youth actors against intolerance. In conclusion she highlighted such activities of YNRI, as Antifascist Archive of non-violent actions, program “Foreign Students’ Rights Defense” and specific actions like “Package for Mayor”, etc.
In September 2009 the follow-up event is going to be held in Georgia and be devoted to specific youth projects aimed at combating intolerance with joint efforts.
