Today's world becomes closer than ever, cultures penetrate into each other and create a new global culture. Many people have phobias about losing traditions and identity. They follow the stereotypes and spread hate speech. During last years, there is an increase of xenophobia and hate crimes in different countries. In such situation, the intercultural and artistic dialogue is essential, because art is a sphere intended to suppress biases, hatred and discrimination.
There are two ways to preserve national traditions:
• the “museum way” is preservation in its original form, and
• bringing of national traditions into a global culture.
The "Art of Tolerance" Platform was developed to convince the society that the preservation of cultural traditions is possible in their association with the traditions of other people, in common global heritage.
The Platform involves holding international tours “Art of Tolerance” in different countries. These activities have educational and performing components. The core objective of the Platform is to develop an intercultural dialogue between the representatives of different nations and traditions and to promote the values of tolerance and multiculturalism in the world.
The activities of the Platform include training for music teachers, students, and musicians as well as scientific conferences, art exhibitions, theater performances, literary readings, etc. It is crucial not only to show multicultural connections but also to include them in educational process and culture policy of the countries. In the form of a festival and campaign, the Art of Tolerance has existed since 2007.
The Art of Tolerance Platform has also human rights activities:
- Monitoring and analysis of cases of discrimination, xenophobia and hate speech:
- violent hate crimes against Roma, Jews, Muslims, foreigners, LGBTI+ community, IDPs etc;
- vandalism acts (desecration of Jews cemeteries, graves of the dead Ukrainian soldiers; the destruction of the memorials; spoiling religious buildings of different denominations etc.);
- hate speech from representatives of state bodies, local authorities, politicians and in mass media; - Conducting strategic litigation cases in court on hate crimes;
- Preparation of analytical reports;
- Organizing mediation meetings with the representatives of ultra right-wing radical organizations and police on non-use of force during public events;
- Organizing advocacy campaigns.
Memorandum of the “Art of Tolerance” Platform
We, representatives of independent non-governmental organizations, foundations and private companies in the field of culture, education, information and human rights from different countries of Europe and the world,
Believing
- that freedom of expression is the basis of democratic development of society;
- that symbolic reality forms the life of society;
- that the unlimited creativity of the individual is the driver of the development of post-industrial society;
Realizing that the process of rapid globalization promotes intercultural dialogue and the enrichment of world culture,
but at the same time creates new challenges:
- the disappearance of traditional cultures and languages of small nations;
- fear of losing traditions, identity and relevance in the present time, generating isolationism and xenophobia;
- propaganda of hatred and the hate speech that contributes to the growth of hate-based discrimination and hate crime;
- the creation of many "post-truths" and the spread of purposeful lies through the latest communication technologies;
Recognizing the importance of protecting freedom of expression and multiculturalism while preserving the cultural heritage;
Understanding the need to counteract such negative phenomena as hate propaganda, the hate speech, discrimination and hate crimes;
We create the international platform "Art of Tolerance" as an independent cultural, educational and human rights defending initiative of civic organizations.
The mission of the Platform is to protect freedom of expression, promote intercultural dialogue and at the same time the preservation of cultural heritage, combating hate propaganda, hate speech, discrimination and hate crimes.
The strategic objectives of the Platform are:
- Spreading the values of tolerance and multiculturalism through international cultural events in the "Art of Tolerance";
- Participation in the formation of cultural policy at the international, national and local levels;
- Promoting the preservation of the national cultural heritage, both by museum preservation in its original form and by introducing elements of traditional culture into modern multicultural, polystylistic, an polygonal works;
- Implementation of the methodology covering various cultural traditions in the educational process, organizing educational and educational activities;
- Promoting cultural integration between different countries through the organization of international events and cultural exchange;
- Facilitating overcoming of conflict and hate crime, discrimination, the language of hostility through monitoring, advocacy campaigns and strategic victim protection.
For implementation of strategic goals, the Platform participants carry out the following activities:
- Conducting cultural events in the "Art of Tolerance": festivals, concerts, exhibitions, plays, performances, installations, literary readings, etc.;
- Conducting forums, conferences, round tables, meetings and other events;
- Conducting educational events: trainings, seminars, master classes, summer schools, etc.;
- Conducting advocacy, information and advertising campaigns;
- Conducting monitoring and analytical studies;
- Realizing of mediation;
- Strategic litigations.
Principles of cooperation of Platform participants:
Solidarity. Platform participants build relationships based on mutual trust, mutual respect, mutual assistance.
Voluntary participation. Participation in the Platform is voluntary, however, the outing from the Platform does not terminate the commitments that the organization took upon itself while staying in the Platform.
Independence. The Platform participants are independent from the Platform in their actions, except for their commitments in the joint Platform projects.
Responsibility. Platform participants must abide by their obligations to other participants.
Legality. Platform participants follow the legislation of the countries where they operate.
Tolerance, goodwill, respect for the position of minority. Platform members should seek to see a benevolent atmosphere and make common decisions through consensus.
Resolving conflicts inside the Platform. In the event of disputes or conflicts between platform participants, they are required to resolve them by dialogue and reaching a compromise within the Platform in order not to cause damage to its reputation.
This Memorandum comes into force on the day of its signing.
Any changes and additions to this Memorandum are made only with the written consent of all participants of the Platform and become an integral part of the Memorandum.
The "Art of Tolerance" platform is open to new members who share Platform values and are committed to complying with the provisions of this Memorandum.
The entry of new members is made by consensus of all the current members of the Platform.
Any controversial questions regarding the interpretation or application of the provisions of this Memorandum shall be resolved by the Platform participants through joint consultations and negotiations.
The memorandum was signed by organizations:
From Ukraine:
Humanitarian Studio Khvylia
Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group
From Poland:
Culture Integration Foundation http://www.finkgliwice.pl
Center of Culture Jazovia https://www.jazovia.pl/
From Slovakia
Hevhetia http://www.hevhetia.sk
From Kingdom of Netherlands:
Paul van Kemenade foundation https://www.paulvankemenade.com
From Italy:
Nusica.org http://www.nusica.org
From Belgium:
Anti-Discrimination Center Memorial https://adcmemorial.org
From Moldova:
JAZZ'n Chisinau https://www.facebook.com/jazzn.chisinau/