The Syrian Women’s Group Emmen has won the election of Embassy of Tolerance. This informs Ali Zingstra, who is closely involved in the organization.
“We had hoped for the price, but we didn’t expect it”, Zingstra is enthusiastic. After the announcement, the group celebrated its success with an exuberant dance, as it characterizes the people. “Very accessible. Syrians are open, make contact easily, while people from other countries are more on their own.” In addition to the honour, the Syrian Women’s Group will receive a thousand euros to spend on a new project.
Initiatives
The Women’s Group consists of a diverse group, with women who come from a few other countries in addition to Syria. The nationalities of Yemen, Egypt and Iraq are also represented. The members organize all kinds of activities in Emmen and the surrounding area to connect cultures. For example, work is underway on ‘Orange Emmen’, which campaigns against violence against women. It stems from the ‘Orange the World’ campaign. In addition, the women cook for the Emmen who likes to sit down, with the aim of making contacts and thus promoting integration.
The election of the Embassy of Tolerance is an initiative of the Palace of Tolerance Foundation and the One Country and One Society Foundation. The prize was awarded for the tenth time this year.
Multicultural cookbook
In addition to the Drenthe contender, there were eleven other nominees. Each province was thus represented. For example, a multicultural cookbook in the Frisian Sneek was also on the list of contenders. According to Zingstra, it is all intended to connect, to meet and to do so with mutual respect for each other. “We could also identify with it,” she says about the other nominations.