The "Manual on Tolerance and Cultural Diversity in Europe" was published within the ACCEPT PLURALISM project, as an instrument for scholars and students aged between 17-23 years.

The author, Anna TRIANDAFYLLIDOU, attempts to clarify the dilemmas related to diversity and the principles which should guide democratic life in European societies. Based on examples of conflicts, dilemmas and solutions in different European countries, the manual offers several perspectives on ethnic and religious diversity at school, at the workplace and in public areas. Such a work is necessary, particularly in these times of economic and financial crisis in Europe which generates feelings of economic and social insecurity and an emphasis on national identity. In this context migration risks to appear as an "unwanted" phenomenon. In addition minority groups are suspected of putting an additional pressure on the system.

The main purpose of this guideline is to clarify notions related to nationality, identity or national citizenship, which have different meanings in different languages, and people speak regularly about them without knowing very well what they mean. The manual also attempts to destroy negative stereotypes (such as "Muslims are cunning", "Jews are stingy") of minority groups. The manual tries to help young people to understand the nature of negative behaviour towards diversity and proposes answers to the challenges of ethnic and religious diversity in every day life.

The "Manual on Tolerance and Cultural Diversity in Europe" can be consulted in English at this link: http://cadmus.eui.eu/bitstream/handle/1814/20975/ACCEPT_Handbook_Tolerance_2012_rev2.pdf?sequence=1.

Source: http://cadmus.eui.eu/handle/1814/20975