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From October 20 to 23, 2026, in the Italian city of Matino, an international event was held as part of the “DiverCity” project, dedicated to the promotion of diversity, social inclusion, human rights and the fight against discrimination.

Rajko Marinković, Jelena Petrović, Neda Brajenović and Mirjana Marinković participated in the event on behalf of the Dunav 1245 Association.

The event was organized within the work package WP3 – “Diversity in Action: Breaking Stereotypes”, which is supported by the Municipality of Matino from Italy. It gathered representatives of partner organizations from seven countries: Italy, Greece, Albania, Serbia, Slovenia, Cyprus and Romania.

The central theme of the meeting was building more open and inclusive local communities, through the exchange of experiences, presentation of good practices and encouraging dialogue between citizens, civil society organizations and local institutions.

The first working day, on October 21, was dedicated to a public awareness campaign on diversity, rights and social inclusion. A particularly significant part of the program was the testimony of representatives of local organizations and individuals from the Salento region, who spoke about the experiences of people with disabilities, people with autism and migrants, as well as the challenges of their inclusion in social life.

As part of the international round table “Diversity & Inclusion: European Experiences, Challenges and Good Practices”, representatives of partner countries exchanged experiences on social inclusion, suppression of prejudices and stereotypes, integration of migrants, accessibility of public spaces and the role of local governments in creating equal opportunities for all citizens.

On the second working day, October 22, the program continued with the screening of a short documentary film and a discussion about the experiences of inclusion and integration. Through interactive activities and work in groups, the participants discussed concrete situations from everyday life and opportunities for overcoming obstacles faced by members of different social groups.

A special contribution to the event was made by cultural and intercultural activities, during which the participants got to know the history, tradition and cultural heritage of Matina and the Salento region. The final part of the program, entitled “Diversity through Culture”, highlighted the importance of culture, art and getting to know each other as means of connecting people of different backgrounds and experiences.

For the representatives of the Danube 1245 Association, participation in this international meeting was an opportunity to exchange knowledge and experience with European partners, learn about successful local initiatives and consider the possibility of their application in our community.

Through participation in the DiverCity project, the Dunav 1245 Association continues to contribute to the promotion of European values, intercultural dialogue, equal opportunities and active participation of citizens in creating more solidary and inclusive communities.

The DiverCity project is implemented with the financial support of the European Union, within the program CERV – Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values ​​(Citizens, equality, rights and values).