The success of a joint UNHCR-UNDP project ”Local Initiatives for Improved Social Integration of Young Roma in Serbia” was marked end last year by a virtual exhibition of artwork authored by the young Roma, refugees, migrants and asylum-seekers. The fact that the exhibition joined communities at an unplausible top of social groups most often exposed to discrimination and a very high social distance in Serbia gives an additional significance to it.
Three years of successful implementation of the joint UNHCR-UNDP project ”Local Initiatives for Improved Social Integration of Young Roma in Serbia” was marked end last year by a virtual exhibition of artwork authored by the young Roma, refugees, migrants and asylum-seekers. The artwork presented under the slogan ”We are stronger together” reflect their experiences, the nice but also painful and difficult memories, as well as their impressions about the life in Serbia. The young authors from vulnerable groups sent a message that everything is possible if we only free ourselves from prejudice and celebrate diversity as a value which makes us better and richer people.
The fact that the exhibition joined communities at an unplausible top of social groups most often exposed to discrimination and a very high social distance in Serbia gives an additional significance to it. Each exhibit sent a universal message on the significance of building a society nurturing a culture of human rights and multiculturality. The young authors decided to give the floor to art and talent and bridge all the obstacles imposed by the language of politics in the most creative manner. Also, art gives a chance to individuals to heal their wounds resulting from violations of human rights and the principle of equality. Therefore, youth from vulnerable categories- using a painting brush – transformed from victims into civic responsibility promoters.
In order for the artwork to continue living and obtain its utility value after the exhibition and at the times of COVID-19 pandemic, UNHCR printed the motives of the paintings of the Roma youth, refugees and asylum-seekers created at the workshop organised by Bg Genal Artspace in Vrdnik on virus protective masks.
Within the framework of the project “Local Initiatives for Improved Social Integration of Young Roma in Serbia” a short video was produced by the project participants themselves: members of the Roma community in Serbia, as well as refugees and asylum-seekers.
See video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Al0ktG4fYTE
Three years of successful implementation of the joint UNHCR-UNDP project ”Local Initiatives for Improved Social Integration of Young Roma in Serbia” was marked end last year by a virtual exhibition of artwork authored by the young Roma, refugees, migrants and asylum-seekers. The artwork presented under the slogan ”We are stronger together” reflect their experiences, the nice but also painful and difficult memories, as well as their impressions about the life in Serbia. The young authors from vulnerable groups sent a message that everything is possible if we only free ourselves from prejudice and celebrate diversity as a value which makes us better and richer people.
The fact that the exhibition joined communities at an unplausible top of social groups most often exposed to discrimination and a very high social distance in Serbia gives an additional significance to it. Each exhibit sent a universal message on the significance of building a society nurturing a culture of human rights and multiculturality. The young authors decided to give the floor to art and talent and bridge all the obstacles imposed by the language of politics in the most creative manner. Also, art gives a chance to individuals to heal their wounds resulting from violations of human rights and the principle of equality. Therefore, youth from vulnerable categories- using a painting brush – transformed from victims into civic responsibility promoters.
In order for the artwork to continue living and obtain its utility value after the exhibition and at the times of COVID-19 pandemic, UNHCR printed the motives of the paintings of the Roma youth, refugees and asylum-seekers created at the workshop organised by Bg Genal Artspace in Vrdnik on virus protective masks.
Within the framework of the project “Local Initiatives for Improved Social Integration of Young Roma in Serbia” a short video was produced by the project participants themselves: members of the Roma community in Serbia, as well as refugees and asylum-seekers.
See video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Al0ktG4fYTE