NGO Down Syndrome Kosova completed their three month-long project which was focused on tackling hate speech against people with disabilities. The project was supported by the European Union and the Council of Europe, through the framework of the action on ‘Promotion of diversity and equality in Kosovo’.
They delivered nine workshops on hate speech and related topics for various target groups, including NGOs dealing with rights of people with disabilities. The importance of investing additional efforts in working close with the school system and families of students with disabilities was particularly emphasized as one of the workshop's conclusions.
Psychologists, teachers and assistants to students with disabilities from lower and upper secondary cycle were participants of specially designed workshops. Focus was on developing strategies to have more inclusive classes. Finally, students from upper secondary cycle attended four interactive workshops on hate speech, including its online dimension, and human rights education. They discussed factors which influence existence of hate speech, including Kosovo's cultural patterns, and jointly looked for long-term solutions.
The grant scheme through which these activities are funded, was launched under the action on “Promotion of diversity and equality in Kosovo”, part of the joint European Union and the Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey 2019-2022”.
*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ opinion on Kosovo Declaration of Independence