Project From Prejudice to Understanding

What is it all about?

We connect people across different experiences, generations, and viewpoints, and create a safe space for open dialogue on topics that often divide us. We consciously make space for the voices and experiences of people from diverse, often marginalized or overlooked groups, and we view diversity as a value that enriches us. We believe that understanding does not come from ready-made answers, but from encounters, sharing, and a willingness to listen.

Through experiential workshops, interactive public events, and volunteer training, we develop the skills that are essential for life in a democratic society—empathy, critical thinking, and the ability to engage in respectful dialogue.

Join us on this journey.

Upcoming events

Choose what interests you! “Diversity as a Strength” Workshop Morning, 18.10. in Olomouc

How about spending your Sunday morning a little differently? Choose one of six workshops, try something new, and see the world from a different perspective. You can look forward to theater, travel, project management, life with a visual impairment, debating, and exploring a more sustainable economy. The event is open to the general public and is free of charge.

📅 Sunday, 18.10.2026, 9:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m., coffee break included

📍 Waldorf School and Preschool Olomouc, Tomkova 420/48, Olomouc-Hejčín

Due to limited capacity, if you’re interested in attending, please register by midnight on Friday, October 16. You can choose one workshop from the following options:

Beyond Growth: Imagining Post-Capitalist Futures🌿

Martin Čech (NaZemi)

[The workshop will be held in English language.]

We live in a time of multiple crises: unaffordable housing, energy poverty, deep inequalities, an epidemic of depression and burnout, and the climate crisis. While these issues may seem separate, a large part of the scientific community points to a common denominator: an economic system that prioritizes growth and profit over meeting the needs of most people and protecting nature. Our economy depends on growth – without it, it risks collapsing. But could we have an economic system that does not depend on endless growth? Degrowth offers a path towards an economy and society that can meet everyone’s needs within planetary boundaries. What might such a vision look like? What concrete degrowth policy proposals already exist? And how could we achieve a degrowth transformation? And finally: which is the bigger utopia – transforming our current economic system, or trying to keep it going as it is?

Terapie divadelní formou 🎭

Sdružení Principál

Workshop nabídne hravou a zážitkovou cestu do světa dramaterapie a teatroterapie. Prostřednictvím čtyř příběhů si účastníci vyzkouší divadelní techniky, práci s rolí, improvizaci i společnou tvorbu. Bez ohledu na předchozí zkušenosti objeví možnosti sebevyjádření, spolupráce a kreativity. Workshop vyvrcholí krátkým společným mini představením, které propojí vše, co během setkání vznikne.

Proč odcházíme i z míst, kde nám je dobře? Z AFS přes Nový Zéland a Austrálii… a zase domů 🏠

Jan Klika (AFS Mezikulturní programy, o.p.s.)

Může být správný čas odejít právě ve chvíli, kdy vám je vlastně dobře? A co když o pár let později řešíte úplně stejnou otázku na druhém konci světa? Před čtyřmi lety jsem odešel z AFS, i když to byla práce, která mi dávala obrovský smysl. Chtěl jsem ale zjistit, jaké je opravdu žít jinde. Z jednoho roku v zahraničí se nakonec staly čtyři roky převážně na Novém Zélandu a v Austrálii. Nový život, práce, rutina i pocit domova. A pak přišla další otázka: zůstat, nebo se vrátit. Část téhle zkušenosti si na workshopu zkusíte na vlastní kůži. Budeme pracovat s rozhodováním, s tím, co při velké změně získáváme i ztrácíme, co s námi dělá život v jiné kultuře a co nám může ukázat o nás samotných. A pokud vás při tom napadne „a co kdybych chtěl/a vyrazit taky?“, dostaneme se i k Working Holiday a dalším možnostem, jak si život v zahraničí vyzkoušet. A hlavně bude prostor si otevřeně popovídat a zeptat se mě na to, co vás opravdu zajímá – o Austrálii, Zélandu, práci, návratu i životě expata. Je tedy tráva někde opravdu zelenější? Nebo jen pokaždé začneme hledat něco trochu jiného?

Projektový management – od nápadu k projektu 💡

Lukáš Vorel a Lenka Kovářová (AFS Mezikulturní programy, o.p.s.)

V tomto workshopu bychom Vám chtěli představit svět projektového managementu (nejenom) Erasmus+ projektů, kterým se dlouho dobu věnuje Lukáš. V první části si projdeme nějakou teorii, která se tohoto tématu týká, poté se přesuneme na workshopovou část, kde si zkusíme navrhnout a vlastní projekt, dát si k němu konstruktivní kritiku a prodiskutujeme rizika během realizace.

Co je důležité, je očím neviditelné🌙

Spolu s Vámi, z.s.

Chcete na vlastní kůži zažít, jak vypadá svět lidí se zrakovým postižením, a vyzkoušet si, co všechno obnáší každodenní život bez pomoci zraku? Přijďte na zážitkový a interaktivní workshop od Spolu s vámi! Když nevidíte, neznamená to, že nemůžete.

Debatování ve formátu British Parliamentary 🙋

Maryna Kovalova (Debatní Klub UPOL)

Chceš se naučit přesvědčivě argumentovat, dívat se na svět z různých perspektiv a sebejistě vystupovat před publikem? Vyzkoušej si workshop debaty ve formátu British Parliamentary – nejpopulárnějším vysokoškolském debatním formátu na světě. Debata pomáhá rozvíjet mnoho schopností – práci s argumenty, veřejné vystupování, kritické přemýšlení, reakce nebo analýzu složitých témat. Po krátké přednášce o formátu a roli jednotlivých řečníků a týmů v debatě bude probíhat rozdělení stran a skupin, určení debatní teze a po přípravě bude následovat samotná debata. V závěru workshopu nebude chybět zpětná vazba na jednotlivé projevy.

I want to register!

Past events

Belonging: A Workshop Afternoon on Support and Well-Being of LGBTQ+ People, 12.9.2026

How can we be a source of support for the people around us? And what influences the well-being of queer people in the Czech context? We explored these questions during an afternoon in September at the Co.labs cultural center in Brno. Two workshops were held, offering a space to share experiences, gain new insights, and work together to find ways to better support one another.

We began the afternoon with Luna from the German collective QueerTausch, who led the workshop “A Beginner’s Guide to Allyship.” We explored queer identities, clarified some terms, discussed everyday microaggressions, and tried to find ways to respond to them. The second part of the afternoon was led by Zuzana and Ondřej from the Brno-based collective Q-Hub, who focused on the topic of queer well-being. We explored issues of mental health and resilience among queer people. Using various scenarios, we practiced how we can be a source of support for the LGBTQ+ people around us in everyday situations.

Thank you to QueerTausch, Q-Hub, and everyone who spent this Saturday afternoon with us for sharing your experiences, questions, and the space where we could learn and listen together. We’re taking away new perspectives and plenty of food for thought. We look forward to the next time!

Living Library in Prague: Stories from Lives with Physical Disabilities, 19.8.2026

On August 19, we gathered at the Scout Institute in Prague for the “Living Library” – an event where, instead of books, real people and their stories take center stage. This time, we had the opportunity to meet four inspiring people with physical or visual disabilities, including Paralympic athletes.

Anna Luxová, Alexandra Borská, Katarína Suchá, and David Drahonínský shared with us their journeys into sports, their personal achievements, and the obstacles they face. Their stories showcased various ways of pushing past one’s own limits, but also revealed that there is always much more to every person than what we typically see at first glance.

A big thank you to all the “Living Books” and visitors for your openness, for sharing your stories, and for spending time with us!

The first Living Library took place in Pardubice, 23.5.2026

On Saturday, May 23, 2026, our first Living Library event as part of this project took place at the Vinice Scout Center in Pardubice. Throughout the afternoon, participants had the opportunity to meet four “Living Books”—Hasat, Anastasia, Danai, and Helena—and gain insight into the experiences of people who have come to live in the Czech Republic.

The Living Library is a format based on a simple yet powerful idea: instead of books, we “read” real people and their stories. In a safe space, this creates an opportunity to listen, ask questions, and explore topics we do not normally encounter—and, through personal encounters, challenge stereotypes and prejudices.

The Pardubice Living Library offered a diverse range of experiences and perspectives. Hasat shared her journey from Turkey to the Czech Republic and talked about how even unexpected life changes can lead a person to new opportunities. Anastasiia opened up the topic of searching for a home and gradually building a place for oneself in a new country. Danai offered a glimpse into life in Greece, Germany, and the Czech Republic. Helena then shared a slightly different but no less interesting perspective—she spoke about her experience as a host mother who has already welcomed four international students into her family, and about how hosting can grow into lifelong friendships.

For us, the Living Library is not about “talking about people”—it is about creating a space where first-hand stories can be shared by those who are truly affected by the topics. We want to thank all the Living Books for their openness and willingness to share, as well as everyone who came to listen and ask questions. We are already looking forward to our next gathering—we will be heading to Prague soon with another Living Library event.

Conference Education for Life 2026, 13.3.2026

How can we prepare young people for a world that is rapidly changing and presenting new social and environmental challenges? This year’s “Education for Life 2026” conference, subtitled “Think Globally, Act Locally—Educating for Active Citizenship,” sought answers to this question. The conference took place on March 13, 2026, at the Hybernská Campus in Prague and offered teachers and other educators inspiration, opportunities to share experiences, and concrete tools for promoting active citizenship in the classroom. Here is a brief look back at the conference from the perspective of its main organizer, Jana Papajová.

“I would like to thank everyone who came and dedicated their time to the topic of active citizenship. The participants included not only teaching staff and educators, but also students in teacher-training programs and members of the public interested in the topic. In their feedback, most participants appreciated the introduction to the topic through a lecture on value systems—how they are formed and how educators can reinforce certain values through their behavior, actions, and communication style.

Practical examples of best practices from the organizations Lipka p.o. and Arpok o.p.s. (the World School program), which promote entrepreneurship, active citizenship, environmental education, and critical thinking in Czech schools, served as a wonderful source of inspiration and proof that school is not just about acquiring knowledge but can be a place where young people can gain valuable skills for their future lives.

The lecture and workshop on nonviolent communication were also captivating; they prompted all participants to pause, focus more on themselves, and work on improving their communication skills—not only with their students. I believe the conference motivated participants to explore these topics further and inspired them to make positive changes in their schools and workplaces.”

Video report

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us!

You can reach us at the e-mail address [email protected] or via our Instagram or Facebook.

You can find photos from our past events here.

AFS Mezikulturní programy, o.p.s.
Jana Masaryka 44, 120 00 Prague 2
Czech Republic

The project “From Prejudice to Understanding: Open Dialogue for a Democratic Culture,” registration number CZ.02.02.05/00/24_038/0016501, is co-funded by the European Union. The project supports the development of a democratic culture, civic participation, and dialogue across generations and experiences. Its goal is to strengthen society’s resilience against prejudice, xenophobia, and discrimination.