We have to fight discrimination primarily through education, especially of younger children, but also all stakeholders involved have to play their roles: state bodies, NGOs, media, and citizens as well, said Deputy Ombudswoman Tena Šimonović Einwalter at the round table discussion during the Festival of Tolerance, taking place from 8 – 14 April 2018. in Zagreb.

Round table “Oh, How I Like You, Zagreb“ was dedicated to prejudices and different manifestations of discrimination that persons of other skin colour, nationality or religion are facing and the ways it affects their integration, as full-fledged members of the Croatian society.

Other participants of the discussion, moderated by the journalist Jasmina Popović, included Lea Horvat from the Centre for Peace Studies, Anita Košar Ulemek from the Project of Citizens Rights from Sisak, Jelena Nestorović from the Serbian National Council and Danijela Draštata, a screenwriter of the film Dear neighbours. The film, directed by Nebojša Slijepčević, showed before the discussion, thematises the relationships in one Zagreb quartier after the arrival of the asylum seekers in a neighbouring residence building.

By taking part in the discussion, Deputy Ombudswoman Šimonović Einwalter had an opportunity to present the work of the Ombudswoman’s Office on combating discrimination as well as the cooperation with the civil society organisations, amongst other, the joint activities of the Anti-Discrimination Focal points Network.