Multiculturalism as a part of modern European society

2008 has been named as year of Multiculturalism. Republic of Croatia on its path toward European integrations, with its ethnic and cultural diversification, and efforts which are invested in preserving the same diversification represents positive example of multiculturalism in heart of Europe. Purpose of this project is to raise awareness, particularly young population through four cultural public events throughout Croatia where would be presented a work of distinguished persons in the art and cultural world on several minorities which with Croatian majority traditionally lives in Republic of Croatia (promotion of appropriate books, showing of appropriate films, exhibitions of artists, caricatures, concerts and acting performances, as well as public debates. Whole day public events will be organized in Pula, Karlovac and Vukovar, and the main, two-day public event will be held in Osijek, begging of December, in occasion of celebrating 60 year Anniversary of Universal declarations on Human Rights adopted December 10th 1948.

Promotion and protection of human rights Program

Main goals of program are:

1. to improve mechanisms for protection of human rights in cooperation with institutions which are involved in protection of human rights in Croatia
2. to educate public and raise public awareness on importance of respecting and protecting human rights
3. to improve status of civil society organizations which are involved in protection and promotion of human rights

Charles Stewart Mott Foundation has approved two year donation for general purpose in amount of 60.000,00 USD to Coalition for promotion and protection of human rights for the fourth time in a row for period 2007-2008 in sense of endorsing activities which Coalition regularly upholds within its own program for promotion and protection of human rights.

Program: „Promoting European values against racism and xenophobia at local and regional level.”

This three-year Program whose application started in begging of 2005 and ended at the end of 2007 was implemented by joint initiative of all 9 members of Coalition with annual financial support form National Foundation for Civil Society Development in amount of 295.700,00 HRK. The purpose of Program was development of opportunities for persons excluded and/or discriminated at ethnic, religious or any other base. The foundation for joint campaign was established on principles of fairness, non-discrimination, indivisible of law and social responsibility and shifting balance of power in favor of poor, powerless and excluded social groups. Program includes rules of behavior in public services, participating of clients and affirmative action in favor of social excluded groups. 

In implementing this project following activities have been used:

• Gathering information on legal solutions which prohibits discrimination, and in that way stopping racism and xenophobia 
• Parallel analyses of antidiscrimination legislation in Croatia with legal solutions of EU countries 
• Monitoring the application of existing laws in Croatia with legal solutions of EU countries 
• Organization of public debates in local and national level
• Informing public through media on planned and implemented activities within the project
• Organization of public events with goals of affirmation of multicultural values, including and marking the international dates significant on promoting values of human rights

Program: „Minoroty rights in practice in southeast Europe – National action plan for Croatia for period 2007-2008”

Program was implemented in combined initiative Belgian King Baudouin Foundation in partnership with Charles Stewart Mott and Soros Foundations. The implementation of national component of Program, national action plan for Croatia, financially is supported by King Baudouin Foundation in total amount of 50.000 €.

The implementation of first phase of Program “Minority rights in practice in southeast Europe - National action plan for Croatia”, is financially supported in the total amount of 80000€, which started at the beginning of 2005, and was completed at the end of 2006. with necessary changes in activities and means of implementation, Program was continued in April, 2007 under the term „Minoroty rights in practice in southeast Europe – National action plan for Croatia for period 2007-2008” and it will be implemented till September 2008.

In behalf of the Coalition for promotion and protection of human rights the Center for Peace, Legal Advice and Psychosocial Assistance, Vukovar is implementing and coordinating Program.