COURSE: EQUITY DEFENDERS FOR SOCIAL CHANGE
Fondazione L’Albero della Vita, Le Reseau, and Progetto Aisha are happy to present the first course to become Equity Defenders for Social Change.
The course – which is free and open to everyone – will prepare you to become Equity Defenders, young people who are active in their communities to fight discrimination and Islamophobia. The course will address:
– What is Islamophobia
– What are hate crimes
– The impact on victims of discrimination
– Action strategies: the figure of the Equity Defender
– The role of social media…
…And much more!
Sign up now and get the Equity Defender certificate. The course can be completed in either Italian or English.
It is time to take concrete action against all forms of discrimination and violence against Muslims.
Our Master Equity Defenders, after intense training, are ready to receive your calls and messages and to support you if you have experienced discrimination or violence that you believe is of Islamophobic nature.
To report and talk to us, call the number above or send us a message on Facebook and Instagram.
EQUITY DEFENDER FOR SOCIAL CHANGE TOOLKIT
The YES project was born with the aim of preventing and combating the phenomenon of Islamophobia in Italy and Europe. The direct involvement of young people is an essential prerequisite for the success of the project, which sees them play an active role in understanding the problems of vulnerable members of their community.
The following toolkit is a result of the commitment to empower young people to stand up against Islamophobia.
INTERNATIONAL YOUTH FORUM AGAINST ISLAMOPHOBIA
Fondazione L’Albero della Vita, Le Reseau, and Progetto Aisha are happy to host the first ever INTERNATIONAL YOUTH FORUM AGAINST ISLAMOPHOBIA. The event was held in Rome, but online participation was also made available.
The event lasted three days, from the 24th to the 26th of September 2021.
The Forum was a space and an opportunity for young people to discuss and concretely think how to build a more inclusive and diverse society, free from stereotypes and discrimination. A Youth Manifesto Against Islamophobia was also be drawn up and approved, in order to promote young people’s views on this sensitive and topical issue.
Italian and European institutions were be present at the event, which presented a diverse panel of speakers and activities, including workshops and debates.
The event was held in both english and Italian. Download the Program of the event
Watch a summary of the Forum.
Download the Youth Manifesto in English, Italian, French and Spanish. Watch a video of the Manifesto.
yes is a project thought to empower Muslim communities and namely young people, to make them aware of their rights.
Muslim communities in Europe are often victims of discrimination, but it is precisely the younger generations that can become Equity Defenders, and spread more awareness among their peers, but generally within their communities, about the rights and legal instruments that people can use to demand justice and defend their rights.
The Project is implemented in Italy by Fondazione L’Albero della Vita (the coordinator), Progetto Aisha and Associazione Le Reseau
WHO ARE THE EQUITY DEFENDERS?
They are young people, from Milan and Lombardy area. They are second generation migrants and/or migrants, male and female, with less than 30 years who feel a strong desire to help their own community and contribute to the promotion of an inclusive society.
They will be active part of this project and a reference point within their community. The Equity Defenders will provide all necessary information to anyone in need, or anyone interested to deepen their knowledge about religious minorities rights in the city of Milan, in Lombardy region and more in general in Italy.
HOW?
Unfortunately, for some people discrimination is a daily-normalized experience, but victims have the rights to report crimes and often to do so a change of mind-set is necessary.
Equity Defenders will collaborate with migrants associations or second generations communities leaders to organize informative sessions for members of Muslim / Islamic communities. Those meetings will be focused on minorities’ rights and reporting mechanisms; potential victims will be oriented to social services and other institutions such as police department.
Soon we will schedule a calendar of the informative events, open to the public.
OUR CHILD SAFEGUARDING POLICY
Youth is the main target group of the YES project, every partner in the consortium has the responsibility to ensure that every partner has incorporated safeguarding policies into their policies and actions.
All the partners of the YES project agreed to a commitment to keep children safe. All the partners are aware of the importance of Child Safeguarding Standards and partners support each other to achieve compliance and competence around child safeguarding, including the provision or exchange of resources.
The Children Safeguarding Standards herein adopted are in line with the UN Child Rights Convention and they have elaborated on the base of FADV’s Child Protection Policy and on the Child Safeguarding Standards and how to implement them elaborated by Keeping Children Safe.
In regards to project activities, three aspects are considered in the Children Safeguarding Standards:
• Reducing the risk of harm by staff, volunteers and associates
• Running safe events and activities for children
• Ensuring good practice when using the media