On November 13 in Sofia ECAS organised the second Masterclass for beneficiaries of the “Rights and Values” project (ProEUValuesBG), entitled “How do we promote European values related to equality and inclusion in an intolerant or hostile environment?”
The topic was selected in response to the challenges reported by participating CSOs in implementing their activities related to promoting EU rights and values.
During the discussion, the participants examined a few specific case studies from the Bulgarian school system and cultural institutions with the help of a panel composed of educational institutions from the capital and the countryside, non-governmental organisations, and the media. They shared their assessment of the growing intolerance in the public sphere and proposed methods through which civil society could counteract these trends.
Some of the recommendations included: developing a common communication strategy, stepping up networking and relationship building, focusing on common goals and finding ways to be proactive, not simply reactive to the ongoing threats to democracy. Building a new positive narrative on the importance of the EU and its values together with its effective dissemination will also be of key importance.
The discussion also featured virtual contributions from Jekaterina Tumule of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Dr. Anastasia Chalkia of the National Commission for Human Rights in Greece. They shared practical experiences and best practices from the work of civil society in Latvia and Greece, which face challenges similar to those in Bulgaria.
The third and final Masterclass under the project is expected to take place in the beginning of 2025.