Global University Town Tolerant Tartu (:TT )

1. Global University TownTolerant Tartu (:TT) Aare Kasemets University of Tartu, EuroCollege, Centre for Applied Social Sciences Association of Estonian Sociologists E-post: aare.kasemets@ut.ee

2. (:) contents 1. A common problem/challenge 2. We =Toletant Tartuproject partners and networks 3. Common values, dreams and aims 4. Activities A-B-C-D (draft) + We are looking for the partners interested in a project of tolerant university towns 5. Draft proposals to the final statement of WG + Levels of institutional analysis + institutional preconditions for knowledge-based sustainable legislation & implementation + How the (:TT:) project is related to the aim and subtopics of WG?

3. A common problem/challengeof the (:Tolerant Tartu:) project > starting points > * A real case and media stories in 2007 – an afro-american student was insulted by local gang on the street of Tartu.. * Eurobarometer surveys are showing that “ordinary & overage people” in Eastern Europe frequently do’nt like the cultural diversity in their home town or village... On the other hand: * Universities have been the glocal holders and protectors of knowledge, humanity, cultural diversity and tolerance.. * If we see the problem, we all are responsible and we feel that we have to do something, together – NGO-s, academic associations, universities, city government, businesses etc. We made a draft project Global university town. Toletant T.

4. We = a civic initiative: our draft project partners and networks in Tartu All experts (=12) joining to the draft project are the members of Many civic and academic NGO-s. We are thenetworkers Preliminary list of parters: • Foundation for Science and Liberal Arts Domus Dorpatensisis a coordinator • University of Tartu, e.g. Institute of Sociology, EuroCollege, International Students Department, ERASMUS network etc • Karlova Society will engage other suburb communities too • Association of Estonian Sociologists • Students Society SÜLEM and Students Society Liivika • Tartu Renaissance Club is a businessmen’s NGO and is willing to engage other business organisations too • Tartu city government is willing to engage relevant departments, also ordinary schools, vocational shools etc..

5. Common values, dreams and aims of the (:Tolerant Tartu:) project *The general aimof the project „Global University Town. Tolerant Tartu (:TT:)“is to strengthen civil society in Tartu and to develop a model of Tartu as a city of tolerance. University and city officials and representatives of NGOs and companies were brought together to develop this project by a common dream of Tartu as a friendly, capable and tolerant university town where people enjoy living together, regardless of their race, ethnicity, religious beliefs, and other personal characteristics. The project aims to hold an objective and sustainable dialogue between public authorities, interested civic and business organisations and universities.

6. Activities A>B>C>D (draft): A.Development of a tolerancenetworkof academic, civic, and vocational groups to act as partners in fostering and maintaining an open and inclusive social environment and a citizenry who value differences as resources and opportunities for learning; B.Researchand analysis of the problems, behaviours and best practices related to the project, including sociological studies, media content analyses, forms of civic engagement and participation; C.Organising seminars, round tables, and public cultural events for promoting cultural dialogue, transfer of knowledge and public awareness of tolerance; and D.Formulating proposals for developmental strategies for the Tartu city government, University of Tartu, civic and business organisations etc for furthering the goals of the project.

7. A. Development of a sustainable tolerance network of academic, civic, and vocational groups 1) Development of organisational capacity to promote a broad discussion on different aspects of toleranceand coordinate activities of tolerance networks.. Foundation for Science and Liberal Arts Domus Dorpatensis. The mission of Domus Dorpatensisis to support, enhance and promote societal, cultural and scientific activities in Estonia, specifically in Tartu. Our aim is to contribute to and aid the public discourse and academic discussion of various topics by giving everyone an opportunity to come together ... 2) Memorandum & agreement signed by different partners of the tolerance network (2010?)

8. B.Research and analysis of the problems, actual behaviours of participants and best practices, e.g: 1) discussions on methods of public, engaged etc sociology, cultural anthopology, open room etc 2) forms of civic engagement and participationin communities to map the problems, solutions etc 3) sociological studies 4) media content analyses 5) policy analysis, e.g. interactions between city government, universities, NGO-s and businesses

9. C.Seminars, round tables, and public cultural events for promoting cultural dialogue, transfer of knowledge and public awareness of tolerance 1) Some topics of preliminary planned seminars: * The historical and contemporary role of universities * Human rights in multicultural calssroom * Racism * Foreign scientists and students in Tartu * Different religions * Homosexuality * Different nations, etnical identities and cultures 2) Photographic competiotion, national kitchens etc 3) Web site

10. D.Formulating proposals for developmental strategies for the Tartu city government, University of Tartu, civic and business organisations etcfor furthering the goals of the project. We believe in partnership and glocal (= global + local) networks, which are making us and our values stronger. It is the reason why (:TT:) project team is looking for partners from other (university) towns and why we are interested in implementation of proposals prepared by WG team >>

11. Draft proposals to the final statement: • To establish the Network, consisting of NGOs working on Tolerance and Cultural diversity and to establish the related Working Group, consisting of NGO’s representatives from the countries-members of CBSS for further interaction with CBSS WG on Democratic Institutions. + ? engagement of city governments and universities too ? • To use Internet resource (for example website: www.bsngoforum.org) for introduction, description and analyze of the existing projects in the BS region on the topic and for projects ideas proposals for further cooperation between organizations in the region • Encourage the dialogue between the NGOs and academicals for the more active involvement social science representativesand universities in the creating new projects and new agenda to promote tolerance and prevent extremism.

12. Thank you for your attentionand let’s networking! Aare Kasemets University of Tartu, European College Association of Estonian Sociologists Tel (00372) 56 48 98 69 E-mail: aare.kasemets@ut.ee Skype: aare1skype

13. + (:TT:) and the aim & subtopics of WGCultural diversity as important social value is now one of thepreconditions of sustainable development Baltic Sea region countries. Subtopics for discussion: • Tolerance and Cultural diversity in the countries of Baltic Sea region – state (federal level, law enforcement)**** • Cultural Diversity – social inclusion as important precondition** • Principles and methods of the cultural diversity promotion**** • Particular cities/communities – existing problems, measures taken to resist intolerance, established programs on City level and its effectiveness******** • Contributions by NGOs and Academia (researches)***** • Success stories and best practices – examples, what concrete steps are done, existing projects and programs to prevent society from the intolerance** ** The general strategic panning and legislative environment is in Estonia good in formal international comparsion, but ..now the main question is How to implement this legislation on communities and grassroots level? Theconceptual bases of theproject comes from The Conception of Developmentof Estonian Civil Society’(EKAK)*, passed by the Riigikogu (2002) See also the presentation by Ms Kristina Mänd “EKAK – Estonian strategy for building effective civil society with dialogue at the national level” (Civil dialogue WG)

14. Level Examples World system OECD &EU institutions, (<values, ideas,rules,resources, networks...>) Societal Estonia (..dominant values, ideas, aims,rules, laws, resources, networks... >) Organisational field The public sector (e.g. Parliament, Government,National Court, State Audit Office, Ministry A, B, C.., Municipality A, B, C.., University A, B..>) Organisational population Politicians, civil servants, invited experts, leaders of NGO-setcparticipantsin the law-making > Organisation ..Municipality A, B..; University A, B..; NGO…; Organisational subsystems, inter-personal relations Adopted from W.R.Scott 2001 Departments, units, teams, networks etc in the organisatsion (e.g. org. culture,values, symbols, knowledge, skills, rules, routines, relations...) + Figure. Levels of institutional analysis

15. + Institutional preconditions for knowledge-based sustainablelegislation and implementation 0. Legitimacy of political/legal institutions, rules and laws 1. Political commitment in regulatory policy(e.g use of Impact Analysis) 2. Legal basis for good lawmaking (e.g. IA & consultations) 3. Coordination and regulatory management capacity of ministries etc 4.Methodological guidelines for IA, consultations & control 5. Data collecting strategies and integration of databases 6. Systematic involvement of experts and interest groups(e.g NGOs) 7. Simplification of regulations & public services(with NGOs) 8. Transparency and accessibility of law-making & IA data(for NGOs) 9. Systematic training of officials, analysts and partners (e.g NGOs) 10. Basic quality control and surveillance mechanisms(with NGOs) 11.Links between action, law, power & negative sanctions A.Kasemets (2005)