Promoting tolerance from every angle

Starting today, young people across Germany are invited to take part in a special film contest designed to fight discrimination and promote racial tolerance in Germany. YouTube, in partnership with the the Laut gegen Nazis ("Racism Can Hit Anyone") campaign, and the Amadeu Antonio Foundation, is launching "361 Grad Toleranz" ("361-degree tolerance"), a video competition open to German 13 to 18-year-olds.

Students have between now and October 16 to create short videos about the importance of treating others with tolerance and respect. Each submission should reflect on what it means to be open-minded in today's world and communicate the dangers of racism in original and creative ways.

The grand prize recipient will receive a special visit from the German rock band Silbermond, who will perform a private concert at his or her own school. Additionally, the winning student will get a "class trip" to Berlin and Toshiba camcorders for his or her classmates.

A long list of German celebrities, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, are publicly demonstrating their support for this program. The star-studded cast of this video illustrates the unified resolve within German society to actively fight any and all types of discrimination.

To learn more and submit your video, visit the 361 Grad Toleranz YouTube channel here: www.youtube.de/361grad and watch Chancellor Merkel's call-out video: