Right to work

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The right to work is a fundamental right enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

According to Art. 23 of it: everyone has the right to work, to free choice of work, to fair and favorable working conditions, as well as to protection against unemployment; every person, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work; every person who works has the right to just and satisfactory remuneration which will ensure for him and his family an existence consistent with human dignity and supplemented, if necessary, every person has the right to social protection; every person has the right to establish and be a member of trade unions for the protection of his interests.

According to Art. 24 everyone has the right to rest and recreation, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic paid leave.

In this video, students from Blagoevgrad explore the main issues of labor law by talking to different people from their school environment.

Authors: Petar Trifonov, Alexander Bogoev, students from 7th Secondary school “Kuzman Shapkarev, Blagoevgrad

Reflection question:

1/ How the national legislation defends the right to work of every citizen?

2/ What are the main characteristics of inequality in the work place?

Equality or discrimination

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The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Article 1: All people are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should treat each other in a spirit of brotherhood. Article 2: Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind based on race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, social or other status.

Bulgaria has a Protection against Discrimination Act from 2003, which regulates the protection against all forms of discrimination and sets mechanisms to prevent it. In Art. 4. the Act says “It is prohibited any direct or indirect discrimination based on gender, race, nationality, ethnicity, human genome, citizenship, origin, religion or belief, education,political affiliation, personal or social status, disability age, sexual orientation, marital status, property status or any other characteristics pointed out by law or in an international treaty to which the Republic of Bulgaria is a party.”

However, discriminatory practices and harassment against people identified as “different” are commonplace, and victims rarely find justice. In this video, students explore issues of equality and discriminatory practices by interviewing a young person and an educator, comparing their thoughts on the society we live in and its future prospects.

Authors:

Raen Boykov – 7th Secondary school “Kuzman Shapkarev” Blagoevgrad,

Kalin Tsvetin – English grammar school “Acad. Lyudmil Stoyanov”, Blagoevgrad,

Vanessa Popeva – Professional High school of economics “Ivan Iliev” Blagoevgrad,

Ilia Dimitrov- 5th Secondary school “Georgi Izmirliev” Blagoevgrad,

Aleksadra Zhivkova- Professional high school of economics “Ivan Iliev” Blagoevgrad

Participants: Lyuba Bozhikova, teacher from 7th Secondary school “Kuzman Shapkarev” and Stanislav Bachev, student from 7th Secondary school “Kuzman Shapkarev”, Blagoevgrad

 

Reflection Questions:

1/ Discuss different cases of discrimination based on the characteristics listed in Article 4 of the Protection from Discrimination Act? Which of these cases are mentioned in the interview from the film?

2/ Why is it important to fight discrimination against certain groups in society and to react to its various forms?

Backstabbing friends

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The right to privacy

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights of the United Nations – Art. 12 “No one should be subjected to arbitrary interference with his private life, family, home and correspondence, nor to attacks on his honor and good name. Every person has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or intrusion.”

In this film, the authors, students from the city of Montana, show how friends can violate the right to privacy and security, including the right to personal space. The authors explore the topic of friendship and the disclosure of personal secrets by friends, which can lead to unintended consequences for both the victim and the friendship.

The right to privacy must be respected both by the state in relation to its citizens and by individuals in relation to their relationships.

Authors: students from the High school of foreign languages “Peter Bogdan”, the city of Montana –  Mihaela Georgieva, Pamela Tsvetkova, Isabel Spasova and Iva Kuneva.

Reflection Questions:

1/ In what way is the right to personal security of one of the girls in the film violated? Why is it wrong to make personal information, shared by friends, public?

2/ In what way is the state responsible for protecting citizens’ right to privacy and how does this differ from the responsibility of individuals for their relationships with other people?

 

Freedom of expression

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Freedom of speech, also called freedom of expression, is among the most important civil liberties.

In order for children and young people to acquire the skills and habits to speak freely and express their opinions without fear, thy need teachers and role models who encourage them to speak the truth about injustices without fear.

In 2004, young people from Europe drafted a European Charter for Democratic Schools without violence, based on fundamental values and principles for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. The youth recommended that schools across Europe consider this Charter as a model through which they can work for the cause of democratic education without violence.

“It is up to all of us (teachers, students and parents and the whole society) that everyone has the right to freedom of speech without the risk of discrimination or repression.”

European Charter for Democratic Schools without Violence

This film shows that the school is still too far from developing a democratic school culture and hardly supports freedom of speech, expression of personal opinion and development of critical thinking.

Author: Tsvetan Tsvetarski, film director, student from the Secondary school “Ivan Vazov”, Varshets

Participants: Katya Zamfirova, teacher; Immanuel Goranov, Ralitsa Pantova and other students from the Secondary school “Ivan Vazov”, the  town of Varshets

Reflection questions:

1/ List all important international and national laws which specifically relate to the freedom of speech and freedom of expression.

2/ What can be done at school in order students to develop qualities such as critical thinking, free expression of opinion and public speaking without fear?

Right to education

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According to the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, everyone has the right to education, as well as access to vocational and continuing training. The member states of the European Union determine their own policies in the field of higher education. In the Strategy for the Development of Higher Education in the Republic of Bulgaria 2021-2030, social inequalities are recognized as a factor limiting access to education for disadvantaged people.

It is clear that more measures are needed to support young people wishing to study in higher schools, as well as updating the law on crediting students and doctoral students. This video shows the need for more support for young people who wish to continue their studies in the higher education system and learn a profession. For many who wish to study, this still remains an unattainable dream due to a number of socio-economic barriers.

Authors: Ralitsa Pantova and Maria Zafirova, students from Secondary school “Ivan Vazov”, Varshets

Reflection questions:

1/ Discuss all provisions in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union which relate to the rights to education and governments responsibilities to ensure this right to all citizens.

2/ Find all provision in the national legislation which address the right to education. What measures have been taken to reduce the inequality related to this right?

 

Discrimination

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Gender discrimination occurs when a person is treated unfairly solely on the basis of their gender. Then the skills, abilities and circumstances in which young girls find themselves, for example, are not judged objectively, but instead are stereotyped.

Discrimination can take many forms and can be intentional or unintentional. The consequences of discrimination are exclusion and rejection of people and disregard for their rights. Cases of discrimination must always be challenged – both by those affected and bystanders. When discrimination is unintentional, reacting to it can quickly cause the problem to be resolved. Intentional discrimination requires more people, time, effort, and sometimes lawsuits, for justice to prevail. Passive attitude and lack of reaction would mean silent consent and acceptance of discrimination practices.

Authors and participants: Alexander Dimitrov, Magdalena Georgieva, students from Secondary school “Ivan Vazov”, the town of Varshets

With the participation of Petar Valchev, film director

Discussion questions:

1/ Think of different cases and discuss different forms of manifestation of gender discrimination, which can be defined as intentional and unintentional.

2/ Which provisions of the national legislation relate to women’s rights and the elimination of gender discrimination?

My religion

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According to Article 10 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.This right includes freedom to change one’s religion or belief and freedom to manifest one’s religion or belief individually or collectively, publicly or privately, in worship, education, religious rites and rituals.

The freedom to belong to a particular religion makes us people who have choices and who can freely express their beliefs, preferences and understandings, both in terms of religious beliefs and in all other areas of life.

Author: Marin Galabov, 17 years old, student at PGI “Ivan Iliev”, Blagoevgrad

 

A new step

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Is there gender equality in our country? Although gender equality is increasing, today’s young generation still carries gender stereotypes and prejudices. There are inequalities between men and women, both in the labor market and in areas such as education, sports, pay and access to leadership positions.

Equality between women and men is one of the founding principles of the European Union.

The European Commission has placed gender equality at the top of its policy agenda and recently adopted an ambitious European Gender Equality Strategy (2020-2025).

The film shows the stereotypical perception of the role of girls and the need for women to “prove themselves” in order to be allowed into spheres traditionally considered male territory.

Authors:

Milana Mandukhova, Irina Bozhikova, Anelia Dalamangova, Leandro Murtineira – “Peyo K. Yavorov” Vocational High School for Agricultural Mechanization, Gotse Delchev

Georgi Bozhikov – Neurokop Vocational High School “Dimitar Talev”, Gotse Delchev

Reflection questions:

1/ What are the main points in the European Strategy for Gender Equality (2020 – 2025)?

2/ To what extent does the national legislation reflect this Strategy in local acts and regulations?

 

Unexpected change

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Discrimination based on ethnic origin

People from some minority groups often become subject to prejudice and unfair treatment.

The film shows the reality of many children and youth in the country who experience social exclusion and discrimination.

Therefore, every act of kindness, extended hand of friendship and invitation to joint activities is a step towards a more just and harmonious community in which everyone has his place and belonging.

Authors: Milana Manduhova, Irina Bozhikova, Anelia Dalamangova, Leandro Murtineira, students from Profesional hugh school of mechanisation of agriculture “Peyo Yavorov, Gotse Delchev

Georgi Bozhikovq student from the Neurocop professional high school “Dimitar Talev”, Gotse Delchev

Reflection Questions:

1/ Which provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the European Union Charter on the Rights of Citizens are related to the rights of ethnic minorities?

2/ In which life situations are you protected against discrimination according to the law of the European Unions?

 

Discrimination based on zodiac signs?!

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Prejudices are expressed in a negative attitude towards other people based on some characteristics /for example, gender, race, age, etc./ They are based on generalization and negative conclusions towards a given social group.

Prejudices and negative stereotypes are at the root of discrimination.

Discrimination is the unfair or prejudiced treatment of different categories of people, especially on the basis of ethnicity, age, gender or disability. People prone to negative stereotyping can form and express prejudices and generalize the characteristics of groups of people even in relation to absurd criteria such as their date of birth or belonging to a certain zodiac sign.

Prejudices are formed mostly by upbringing and family environment, and at a lesser extent by social experiences.

This film shows how dangerous prejudices are and how easily the carriers of prejudices can single out a group of people (for example, of a certain zodiac sign or any other sign) and turn them into victims of discrimination and aggression.

Authors: Ivana Vitanova, Maria Petelova, Magdalena Petelova, Iliyana Pencheva, students from Neurocop professional high school “Dimitar Talev”, Gotse Delchev

Reflection Questions:

1/ What are the main areas of non-discrimination covered by European law?

Take a look at the publication Handbook of European non-discrimination law.

2/ How does stereotypical thinking affect people’s lives? Think of different cases from your experience.