
The culture of xenophobia
The training is led by Aleh Razhkou, co-founder of the organisation Journalists for Tolerance. Aleh brings more than a decade of experience in inclusive communication, media, and advocacy, and shares practical strategies for building effective dialogue across differences. His expertise will also be valuable for media professionals and influencers seeking to foster a more inclusive society.
The training is divided into three interconnected parts:
Earth: Understanding Xenophobia (2 hours)
An introductory lecture-discussion explaining how xenophobia works, how to recognise it, and how to reduce its impact. This module is based on the trainer’s unique autoethnographic experiment, ethological observations, and insights from neuroscience.
Cosmos: Learning Through Experience (3.5 hours)
The practical module includes a LARP session (live action role play), adapted to the specific group. During the two-hour role play, participants encounter situations involving xenophobia and experiment with strategies for engaging with “others.”
The LARP is followed by a group debrief, where participants reflect on their characters’ stories, exchange experiences, and draw parallels to real-life situations.
Language: Fine-Tuning Communication (1 hour)
This module focuses on the use of inclusive language for communicating with diverse groups at a personal and professional level. Participants will receive practical guidelines on how to represent vulnerable groups respectfully in media and art spaces.