For the first time in Polish history, in the year 2010, the Africa Another Way Foundation held a comprehensive public opinion study to determine how Africa and her residents are perceived by the Polish society. One year later, Polish media monitoring data was published, focusing on how the African continent and its residents were described in the media. For reason of their skin colour, persons of African origin are the most distinct group of foreigners in Poland.
The purpose of the project was to check the extent to which Polish society and Polish media attitudes towards persons of African origin changed 5 years after the first study concerning the perception of Africa and her residents.
The project allowed an examination of Polish attitudes concerning Africans and the way they are referred to in the media. The project provided key data indispensable to engaging in systemic discrimination-preventing activities.
Nationwide public opinion polls were organised, both qualitative and quantitative. The situation was analysed in greater detail in three cities: Białystok, Wrocław, and Poznań (the former two identified as affected with the issue of intolerance towards foreigners, the third as foreigner-friendly). A media monitoring exercise was also organised to highlight African persons-related opinions.
All results were published in respective reports, each published in approximately 1,000 copies. Situation diagnoses were drafted for cities displaying discrimination behaviours against non-Polish nationals; these diagnoses were delivered to at least 200 recipients. Seven meetings were held in 4 cities to promote the project and its results.
Project beneficiaries include at least 1,000 recipients (readers of a minimum of one report and one recommendation). According to organiser estimates, study and monitoring results reached at least 2,000 individuals.