Role of Youth in Society
Thursday, April 30, 2015
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Essay from Latvia
Throwing away prejudices and racism
Racism has existed
all through the history. It can be defined as hatred of one person to another or
the belief that the other person is worse just because of his skin colour, different
language, unusual customs, different place of birth or any other factor. This has
caused wars and slavery, riots and misunderstandings. Innocent people have
suffered just because they are different and someone else cannot accept this
difference. Nowadays many people are getting more and more tolerant but still
there are a plenty of those who feel superior and want to rule others. What can
we do to stop it? This is a really complicated question.
On the one
hand, racism and prejudice both are similar and exist in modern society on a
large scale. Historically Western people have been really unwelcoming to non-Western
residents. The most notorious example was enslavement of Africans in the New
World. It was achieved due to the racist belief that black Africans possessed
less human qualities than white Europeans. And this kind of prejudice is still
there. We can read about it in the news every day. No one knows the solution
for this problem, but each of us can start with oneself: be polite to all
people, respect everyone and understand that the earth is home for everyone and
all of us. We all have equal rights and laws, we all want to live good life and
that is why we have to care about one another every day.
On the other hand, there
are governments and deputies who pass laws and create regulations. If they
really wanted, they could have changed the world and we might be living not
even knowing what racism or prejudice is. Unfortunately, it is not beneficial to
solve this problem. Many African civilizations are unable to correspond to the
technological advances of Europe. And money rules the world, not hard work or
charity or honest people. Therefore sometimes it is hard to think about
possible solutions as there are none. One can only rely on oneself and think of
one’s individual attitude to those sensitive topics. We can get more educated
and think globally not locally. Then there will be some hope for a better
future.
What can we do to fight racism? First, we need to understand that we are all the same and can’t be distinguished. We are all one, big family. We were born equal and we have equal rights. If someone thinks differently, then we can say – there is always an opportunity to change your habits and opinions. We are interested in other cultures, so I can tell about it to other people and the process of kindness will start. If we became kind and tolerant, there would be no need for wars and fights.
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Racism in the modern society - Icelandic essay
The
modern society is very flawed. People are deceitful and nasty towards one
another. Some say that racism is the worst kind harassment and in many ways we
agree. Discriminating people because of their origin and/or colour can‘t in any
ways be justified in our opinion. But the question is this. What is racism,
what is the reason for it and what can we do to prevent it?
So what is a “racist“? Racist, in it‘s simplest understanding, means
someone who looks down on race/s, other than his own, and believes that those
races are lesser than his/her own. Racism, however, is more complex than that.
As can be seen on a recent TV show in Iceland, called Brestir (Cracks), some
racists are just afraid that their own race will disappear. In some way these
people are talking a little sense and countries can‘t accept more and more
immigrants forever but the actions these people wan‘t to implement are much to
radical and can‘t be justified.
Racism is tolerated all over the world. Our opinion is that Iceland is very unracist compared to many other countries around the globe. Of course there are people that let the country down, but isn‘ t it always? In the episode that we mentioned earlier (Brestir) some racists were exposed and their collaborations with foreign racists, that in some cases were criminals, and the difficulty involved in taking down their revolting websites. On the whole though, Iceland is an immigrant‘s and coloured peoples haven (sanctuary). Few are racist and immigrants and coloured people are treated like they should.
What can we do to lessen or even prevent racism? Well a good start is to increase children‘s awareness of coloured people and racism that often follows. Also, some regulations should be made and enforced but on top of that, websites containing racist material should be taken down. Lastly, the society should take active part in the fight against racism and not tolerate people who discriminate others because of his/her skin colour.
Racism is tolerated all over the world. Our opinion is that Iceland is very unracist compared to many other countries around the globe. Of course there are people that let the country down, but isn‘ t it always? In the episode that we mentioned earlier (Brestir) some racists were exposed and their collaborations with foreign racists, that in some cases were criminals, and the difficulty involved in taking down their revolting websites. On the whole though, Iceland is an immigrant‘s and coloured peoples haven (sanctuary). Few are racist and immigrants and coloured people are treated like they should.
What can we do to lessen or even prevent racism? Well a good start is to increase children‘s awareness of coloured people and racism that often follows. Also, some regulations should be made and enforced but on top of that, websites containing racist material should be taken down. Lastly, the society should take active part in the fight against racism and not tolerate people who discriminate others because of his/her skin colour.
It is crystal-clear that racism must
be eliminated. Although people have the right to have their own opinion (which
sometimes can be justified up to some mark), they should in most cases keep
them to them selves. Racism should be a thing of the past but we as a community
must help eliminate it. Let‘s unite in making the world a better place for
everyone.
Monday, April 27, 2015
Team from Latvia
Hi, my name is Simona. I am 19 years old. I studying industrial commersional employee at last year. My future plans are to start studies at good university. Several years my hobby is dancing. Folk dance is my favorite, when I dance I feel great! Most favorite activity for me is table tennis and voleyball. And I am excited to be joining this project...
See you all soon!
Hey, my name is Diana. I am 19 years old. I am studying about restaurants. My hobby is dancing and traveling. I am a dancer and I love it!
Hello. My name is Vineta, I am 18. I study on a restaurant worker and work in the same sphere. Free time I like to spend with my family and friends.
See you all soon!
Hey, my name is Diana. I am 19 years old. I am studying about restaurants. My hobby is dancing and traveling. I am a dancer and I love it!
Hello. My name is Vineta, I am 18. I study on a restaurant worker and work in the same sphere. Free time I like to spend with my family and friends.
Essay from Estonia
Throwing Away Prejudices of Racism
Racism is discrimination of other people because of their skin colour, language, customs, place of birth or any other factor that supposedly reveals the origin of the person. The main reason why people have prejudices is that they do not have experience, they are not familiar with people who are different from the mainstream and they believe that other people behave wrong from what they presume.
Due to Estonian recent history, some people from the older generation have a negative attitude towards Russians. However, most people accept that nation. This is also the background reason why we are careful about immigration and problems that it may accompany. Nevertheless, we can say that Estonians are not very racist, especially young and educated Estonians, who understand that new and different is not always bad. Why? Because we have had opportunities to study with students from other countries, they study in Estonia, and some of our young people go abroad as exchange students. And thanks to Erasmus we can go and do our training abroad, it is becoming more and more popular. I can say that my friends and the people I know are not racists. Many of them have been exchange students or have experience in working in other countries. Nowadays it seems to be popular to have a friend from another race or culture.
The main reason why prejudices of racism decrease is globalisation that causes cultural integration and increases tolerance. Equally, movies have important role in the process. Who would not love Morgan Freeman or Jackie Chan?
In conclusion we can say that prejudices of races are disappearing. There are many reasons, such as globalisation, educational exchange and entertainment media. I can claim that being a racist is not popular in Estonia and educated people know other cultures and accept them.
Thursday, April 23, 2015
Dear
Nordplus
members,
this
beautiful project is coming to an end. So in order to show our appreciation for
all the caring and work that the organizers have put into this project (especially
Anita :) )
I propose to make them a gift.
This
gift would also be a perfect thing to mark the end of this project.
My
idea is to make a video (selfie style) in which all the current and previous
student participants explain what this project has given them personally. In
other words, what they have learned, understood, etc.
Video requirements:
*Video
is made by the students
*One
(1) student per video
*
Video is made in a selfie style (not professionally)
*Do
not copy from each other. Be original.
*The
place where the video is taken is not important. But it would be nice that it
would be somewhere interesting.
*Mobile
phone cameras can be used if the quality is good enough.
*The
length shouldn‘t be shorter than 30 seconds and shouldn‘t be longer than 1
minute.
*It
would be perfect that all the student members would make this video.
When
you have made your selfie video, then send it to: rytis.jezukevicius@kaupa.lt
When
sending be sure to mention
your:
Name:
Surname:
School:
Country:
The
location where the video is taken.
I
will be collecting these videos until the 7 th of May.
The
plan is to make a movie about all your adventures that you had during these
projects and how this project helped you grow.
Waiting for the videos :)
Sincerely
Rytis
Lithuania
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Self presentation - Estonia
Hi, my name is Raigo Lepp and I am 21 years old. I live
Estonia and I attend Lääne-Viru College, where I am studying social work in the
first course. I have great sense of humour and I like company of open minded
people. My hobbies are working out and writing. I also like researching some of
the social problems that have the most impact on children and families. Without
acknowledging the problem, there will be no change.
Hi there! My name is Riina. I`m a second year student and I study Business
Administration in Lääne-Viru Collage. I’m a vice president of student union. My
hobbies are football, volleyball and singing. Also I love helping people in
need.
Hey! My name is Martin and I'm 21 years old. I
recently started studying Business Management in Lääne-Viru College.
Friday, April 17, 2015
Schedule
Role of
youth in society – Nordplus Junior project, 2015 May 4-8
Mobility
5, Estonia, Lääne-Viru College
Theme: Throwing away prejudices of racism
Monday 4th May
Arrival of
participants, accommodation
Accommodation
for all students and teachers from Latvia, Lithuania, Iceland: Lääne-Viru
College
dormitory (address Rohuaia 12, 44308 Rakvere)
Accommodation
for Finnish teachers: AQVA Hotel & Spa
Tuesday 5th May
08.00 - 08.30
Breakfast for students in student hostel (Lääne-Viru College dormitory)
8.40 College representative will meet you at Rohuaia hostel and takes you to bus station
9.00 By bus no 26 to Mõdriku
09.30 - 10.00 Meeting in Lääne - Viru College in Mõdriku, room G115.
Welcoming words and introduction of students and teachers
10.00 - 11.30 Presentation of homework
11.30 – 12.00 Students walk around school premises and teachers evaluate
home works
12.00 - 13.00 Lunch
13.00 – 14.00 Lecture about racism. (Anu Varep)
14.20 By bus to Rakvere
15.00 – 16.30 Rakvere Castle
16.30 - 18.00 Free time
18.00 Dinner at Rohuaia cafeteria for students
http://rohuaiakohvik.ee/et and dinner for teachers
Wednesday 6th May
09.00 – 09.30
Breakfast for students in student
hostel
10.00 – 14.00
Hiking and sightseeing, picnic lunch (please take warm clothes and hiking
shoes)
14.00 – 16.00
Visiting Accommodation Centre
for Asylum Seekers.
17.00 Dinner
for students at Rohuaia cafeteria
19.00 Aqva
Spa (please take your swimming suits)
Thursday 7th May
08.00 – 08.30
Breakfast
9.00 By bus
no 26 to Mõdriku
09.30 –
10.30 G 115 Introduction to case studies, announcement of
groups and discussions in groups, announcement of case studies evaluation
criteria
10.30 – 10.45 Coffee break
10.45 – 12.00 Case studies
12.00 - 13.00
Lunch
13.00 – 15.00
Case studies. Discussions about
case study. Awards for best essay, video, best case study discussed feedback
from participants.
15.20 by bus nr 26 to Rakvere
16.00 -18.00
Bowling, Pizza
18.00 - Free
time and Karaoke at Dragonhaouse pub. http://virma.ee/en/
Friday 8th May
Participant departures
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