“Youth against Racism” was the last in a series of events organized by HRMI within the annual "Action Week against Racism." On Monday March 26, high school students and teachers from different regions of Lithuania came to the Centrum Hotel in Vilnius to learn about and discuss these important issues and have some fun while doing it.
The programme of the event included documentaries featuring the problems of the Roma, the Jews and the refugees. There was an address by a member of Parliament, a discussion moderated by the Executive Director of the International Commission for the Evaluation of the Crimes of Nazi and Soviet Occupation Regimes in Lithuania and a concert by popular performers and school children of various ethnic backgrounds.
Young performers from the “Roma de drom” ensemble of the Roma Community Centre opened the programme. The first documentary that was viewed and discussed was by well-known film director Saulius Berzinis. It presents the daily life of Roma people – their problems, inadequacies, unfair treatment and their weak hope for a better future.
A performance by the young Roma singer Radzi, a popular participant of the recent reality TV show, was received with particular enthusiasm by the young audience - many of them went so far as to sing along with the star.
In his address, Emanuelis Zingeris, MP and Chair of the International Commission for the Evaluation of the Crimes of Nazi and Soviet Occupation Regimes in Lithuania, emphasized the necessity to cohabitate peacefully, respecting and tolerating differences.
Students of the Jewish school of Shalom Aleichem presented their documentary on the fate of Jews in Vilnius and the dance group “Simcha” delivered an original Jewish dance performance.
The last documentary called “Stranger among Family” (Svetimas tarp savų) featured the life of the refugees in Lithuania and was presented by a partner of the Action Week against Racism – project “In Corpore” by European Communities initiative EQUAL.
Ronaldas Racinskas, Executive Director of the International Commission for the Evaluation of the Crimes of Nazi and Soviet Occupation Regimes in Lithuania, moderated the final discussion which raised numerous questions as youngsters of different racial and ethnic groups shared their experiences and perspectives. They unanimously agreed that people need to learn how to tolerate and respect others and the best place to start is in schools.
Organized by: Human Rights Monitoring Institute and International Commission for the Evaluation of the Crimes of Nazi and Soviet Occupation Regimes in Lithuania
Partner: project “In Corpore”.
Supporter: Centrum Uniquestay Hotel and network of travel agencies West Express.
© 2012 Human Rights Monitoring Institute