Voice for All

Objectives:

• Empowering participants to challenge the learning and thinking processes which give rise to discrimination on the basis of race and ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender, age, religion and disability as well as double/multiple discrimination.  

• Encouraging the endorsement of diversity which enriches the quality of life, by providing information, space and time for participants to think about discrimination and the six grounds of discrimination.

• Activating cooperation and promote dialogue to enable participants to adopt an outlook which is based on awareness and understanding.

Research:

Research on good practices aimed at combating discrimination and promoting equality on different grounds in Malta, as well as in the three transnational partner countries namely Cyprus, Italy and Northern Ireland. The research analysed how these good practices help towards eliminating discrimination within different sectors, including the public sector, the private sector, the media, civil society and the educational sphere. Good Practices Document

These good practices were witnessed first-hand through a study visit in each partner country, whereby discussions focused on the implementation of these practices; and on how these practices seek to combat discrimination and encourage social inclusion for marginalised social groups.

 Research Report

Training:

Forum theatre was used as the main training tool which sought to equip participants with an understanding of how to foster equality in life and adopt a more dynamic approach which empowered participants to challenge discrimination in a non-violent direct manner. 

Participants were thus sensitised on the six grounds of discrimination, and on how to identify cases where discrimination is taking place.  Participants were also able to assess their role in promoting and creating equal opportunities.

Awareness Raising:

An awareness raising campaign hosted in a marquee in Valletta was organised to expose and disseminate information collected from the good practice research.

A play on the six grounds of discrimination as well as double/multiple discrimination was written and performed in the marquee in Valletta and at the Filarmonik Society in Nadur, Gozo.  The play sought to provide the time, space and possibility for the a​udience to think about stereotypes and discrimination, thereby empowering them to form their own ideas and challenge discrimination.  The script was printed and disseminated amongst schools, Ministries and NGOs to promote replication of the play.

 Play Script

A good practice competition was launched to encourage social and corporate responsibility by empowering participants to challenge discrimination.  The awarded good practices were included in a document and presented with a commemorative plaque symbolising their commitment towards equality.

A number of radio and TV Public Service Announcements (PSAs) were created aiming at sensitising the general public on the six grounds of discrimination, which were aired over the main TV and radio stations.  Newspaper adverts were published to promote and inform the public on the various actions and practices which could be taken up.

An interactive website was created to act as the main portal of Voice for All incorporating all the activities and events.  The main attraction of the website was a user-friendly quiz on the six grounds of discrimination which served as an educational tool by expanding knowledge in this area. 

The following brochures were also issued and disseminated:

•  Brochure for all Households
•  Brochure for Small and Medium Enterprises
•  Brochure for Large Companies
•  Brochure for Media
•  Brochure for Schools and Educational Institutions
•  Brochure for Public Officials
•  Brochure for NGOs and Civil Society

Other Activities:

The Final Conference featured results from the good practice research from Malta, Italy, Cyprus and Northern Ireland.  Throughout the final conference, the evaluators presented the findings of their comparative research study, analysing the responses of participants in Voice for All and those in various Euro-barometer studies.

 Final Report​ 

Project Ref.	VS/2007/0477
Project Name	Voice for All
Fund	European Community Programme for Employment and Social Solidarity – PROGRESS (2007-2013)
Start Date	December 2007
End Date	February 2009
Partners	Northern Ireland ‘Institute for Conflict Research’ Italy UNAR (Dipartimento per le Pari Opportunità) Cyprus – ‘SYMFILIOSI’