Education Against Stereotypes – Our seminars are beginning at the Faculty of Social Sciences

Negative attitudes toward foreigners in Czech society are often caused by a lack of information and a distorted media image. This is why the "We Are Not Strangers" project is launching a series of seminars for future journalists. In cooperation with the Faculty of Social Sciences, lectures will be held where journalism students can gain insight into the reality of migration policy in the Czech Republic and the personal stories of foreigners living right among us.

The "We Are Not Strangers" project has long supported the integration of third-country nationals in the Czech Republic. At the heart of its many activities is the effort to bring foreigners closer to the majority population and thereby dispel deep-seated stereotypes. Most of us encounter foreigners primarily through media reports, which are often based on security risks and stories about non-adaptability. The need for high-quality information led to the creation of these seminars for journalism students, who, by adopting a more perceptive and sensitive approach, can become drivers of change in the media landscape.

The six-part series kicked off at the start of the semester with a lecture by Professor Dušan Drbohlav on the history of migration in the Czech Republic. Students also had the opportunity to meet with representatives of the Vietnamese community in Prague, who spoke openly about growing up and struggling with their own identity. The program for upcoming lectures includes presentations on the Arab and Ukrainian communities, as well as an introduction to the Theatre of the Oppressed, where students will participate in the action themselves to experience the issues that foreigners in our country face.

"I chose this course because I'm not well-informed about migration policy in the Czech Republic or what it's like for people who have lived here for a long or short time. So, I want to educate myself more and get to know the lives of foreigners," says student Emma when asked why she decided to take the course. The output of the seminars will be articles in the form of interviews, reports, or commentaries focused on migration-related topics. In this way, students will learn in practice how to report on these issues sensitively and thoughtfully.

"We believe that education and open dialogue are the path to mutual understanding," reads the core motto of the "We Are Not Strangers" project on its website. Collaboration with students, who can provide the public with high-quality information, can significantly help create a social environment where mutual understanding is truly achievable.

This article was produced as part of the "We Are Not Strangers" project, which is co-financed by the European Union.

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