"Diversity as a challenge" Workshop in Bijelo Polje

The workshop for youth entitled "Diversity as a Challenge: The Rejection or Inclusion", was organized on 4-5 October in Bijelo Polje by Ministry of Culture of Montenegro. It is a part of an international Program for dialogue of "Anna Lindh” Foundation.

The workshop was held in the House of Risto Ratkovic, with the participation of students of Gymnasium "Miloje Dobrašinović", Vocational High School and Electro-economic High school, in cooperation with public institution “Ratkovic's Poetry Evenings”.

Focus issues of the workshop, moderated by Natasha Nelević, theatrologist and film director Dusan Kasalica, referred to the acceptance of diversity in contemporary society, as a key challenge not only of coexistence, but also community development and modern civilization.

There was talk about the existence of numerous religious, ideological, psychological, cultural, economic and other elements that encourage non-acceptance of differences and deepen the conflict.

In the first part of the workshop, students had the opportunity to acquire new knowledge about the importance of tolerance in modern society and the necessity of active participation and commitment to multiculturalism in their surroundings. After that, the program continued by projection of selected examples from a variety of audio-visual content, discussion and their critical consideration in the context of the theme of the workshop.

The workshop was part of the project "What Unites Us", which included similar programs of non-formal education in the field of promotion of intercultural dialogue for this year and which were held in Bar, Tivat and Niksic.