e.p.a. training seminar
Report
How can we create room for Roma young people in racist Europe? Study visit and Training Activity with young youth workers and volunteers working with Roma young people
supported by
17th - 24th September 2011
Gjakova
Fotos Patrik Domi + e.p.a.
Contact e.p.a. • european play work association Erzbergerstr. 3 • 22765 Hamburg Germany Tel. +49.40.433 190 epa@go-epa.org www.go-epa.org
e.p.a. training seminar • How can we create room for Roma Young people in racist Europe? • Gjakova 2011
Introduction e.p.a. is an International Non Governmental Youth Organisation with a network of partners in 40 countries over 4 continents. e.p.a. works with young people and their workers from disadvantaged communities and poor neighbourhoods, e.p.a. creates the conditions for Youth Exchanges, Training Seminars, Youth Conferences, Voluntary Service and Job Shadowing. With this activity we were able to create the conditions for our partners to offer an international Training for their young workers and volunteers. It has strengthen our e.p.a. European network and e.p.a.'s profile to raise awarness for minorities and to fight for inalienable universal human rights.
The objectives to understand the background and current actions against Roma in Europe, to share and consider actions we can use against Racism and to build a network of mutual support and solidarity. We had 10 workshops, project visits and a Play Action at a Roma community and at a local School. The objectives were to share and explore the recent experiences of Roma/Gypsy young people in a Europe that is increasingly against them.
Preparation After two preparatory meetings – one in Hamburg in January 2011 and the second in Gjakova in March 2011 – we finally spent a very labour intensive, enlightening and exciting Training seminar week in Gjakova with 28 participants from 12 European countries plus many local young people who joined us occasionally. It took place in the "newest" European country (!) and unfortunately the theme of Roma in a racist Europe was self evident … "How can we create space for Roma in Racist Europe?" was our main theme.
Being hosted in Gjakova it was just obvious to study the local situation of RAE communities (Romani, Ashkali and Egyptian). Despite of their planned integration into the Kosovar society, and their recognition in the Kosovar constitution, many difficulties of segregation and discrimination continue to face Roma and other minorities, on the levels of housing, education, health, employment and social welfare.
e.p.a. training seminar • How can we create room for Roma Young people in racist Europe? • Gjakova 2011
Host
supporting situation.
The strength of willingness, enthusiasm and ability of our host partner the Gjakova Youth Center was essential in the success of this project. The Youth Center in Gjakova (member of the e.p.a. network) is run by a self organised group of young people and is registered by the Ministry of youth, culture and sports. It provides a space for young people and is open to all ethnic groups. They are invited to debate on topics of interest. Amongst other activities it offers theatre, music and video workshops, traditional puppet theatre. They also provide IT equipment to their young users. The center is situated in the middle of the city.
A lengthy "live" radio show from the Seminar was produced and at the final Dinner hosted by the Mayor the local TV was present.
us
in
a
very
difficult
Gjakova Gjakova is a city and municipality in western Kosovo, close to the Albanian border. It is also the administrative centre of the homonymous district. The municipality's population is estimated at 94,000.
As it is common to all Kosova it is extremely difficult for young people to get visas to travel anywhere in Europe, they are isolated and neglected and rely on people coming to see them. This Training seminar was a great opportunity for the Gjakova Youth Center to gain advertence and recognition for hosting such an important international meeting and to celebrate and recognise Kosovo Youth and the Gjakova Youth Center as important and active members of the civil society. The Local Authority was supportive and very proud that e.p.a. had "chosen" Gjakova for its activity. They were very keen to develop youth policy and seem to be doing their best in
It suffered some of the worst violence from the destruction of Yugoslavia and the town was badly affected by the war of 1999, suffering great physical destruction and large-scale human losses and human rights abuses. The number of missing people from the municipality is among the highest in all of Kosovo, numbering over 300.
e.p.a. training seminar • How can we create room for Roma Young people in racist Europe? • Gjakova 2011
Participants We trusted our e.p.a. network partners to send young colleagues (volunteers, young staff) who are in a position to benefit mostly from or contribute to the success of the Training and then later can play an important part in developing or running projects at home and share their experience with others. We don’t know yet about future projects and the sharing with others idea but in Gjakova we enjoyed a full week of sharing creativity, energy, commitment, caring and international friendship.
The Kosovo Albanians constitute about 95% of the population while some 7060 Muslims by nationality, Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians making up ca. 4.7% represent the main minority communities. To get to know Gjakova we visited a church, a mosque and a tekke within walking distance in the old town with its architecture reflecting the Ottoman heritage and learned a lot about different religious cultures and their coexistence in one town. One day we discovered that Kosovo has a great potential as a tourist destination when we went by bus to the Rugova mountains to walk, to breath fresh air and to enjoy the beauty and romantic wilderness. The participants from our partner organisations are working in some way with Roma issues, a Teacher, a Social worker, a Trainee lawyer, youth workers, volunteers, information workers, Roma themselves. The relatively wide age range of our participants turned out to be a very fruitful mixture of caring for each other, passing on experience and asking challenging questions. This International Training seminar took place in the Gjakova Youth Center itself and attracted other young people who joined our sessions occasionally.
e.p.a. training seminar • How can we create room for Roma Young people in racist Europe? • Gjakova 2011
Workshops and Project visits Following the violence in France and Greece, the "Dale Farm" issue in the UK and the increasing tensions in Bulgaria the theme of this Training Seminar was "How to create space for Roma young people in racist Europe?". We had 8 Roma participants and all other participants had connections with the theme. We looked at housing, education, language, human rights and health. Everybody was invited to design a provided poster and to deliver a speed presentation of her/his project at home. This exercise introduced participants and their work to each other and produced a colourful international project wall at the Gjakova Youth Center.
The privilege of having Roma from 6 countries was brilliant - a teacher, a community worker, a human rights worker and 3 volunteers. The strength of involving not just local Roma but Roma from 6 countries created the conditions for effectiveness and relevance of the project. The main weakness identified was the Serbian government banning any Serbian youth organisation from cooperating with Kosovo made it very difficult for us to invite colleagues from there.
suppo
rted
by
This was a Training Seminar and as such e.p.a. adopted the methods of a main theme subdivided into workshops, energisers and then kick start the debate, divide into small groups for discussion, return to give feedback/ conclusions in many and varied ways. The Workshops and the Project visits were the main non-formal educational activities. The main meeting room in the Youth Center with the circle (oval!) of 30-35 chairs all facing each other gave a setting of equality and confidence.
e.p.a. training seminar • How can we create room for Roma Young people in racist Europe? • Gjakova 2011
the European Culture. The shards of Yugoslavian culture was seen as inevitable but mainly harmless, yet the continued tension on the Kosovo/ Serbian border made us realise that the culture is not as harmless as it seems? The contrast between the "established" European culture and "emerging" European culture was noticed by many participants.
Our workshops were following issues:
focused
on
the
• Introduction to the state of play of Gjakova youth work • Roma – the biggest European minority • All equal – a playful and interactive introduction to Human Rights Education with a history of Human Rights • All equal - All different ... but aren’t Roma young people too different? • Race is a myth - Racism is a reality: political, economical, stereotypical, personal and sociocultural challenges • How young people from Gjakova make their place in a post war society • How play can heal the wounds of violence • European funding opportunities for youth activities
The main thrust of intercultural learning was the story of the Roma Culture, its history and its place in
During this week we also organised expert talks with representatives from the municipal youth authority, the municipal office for communities and return, with the responsible for the development of youth work structures in Kosovo from the German Gesellschaft für internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and other local NGOs.
e.p.a. training seminar • How can we create room for Roma Young people in racist Europe? • Gjakova 2011
started a Roma Youth Conference at the European Youth Center. By finishing our Training Seminar in Gjakova we decided to pass on our following conclusions:
English was our main language with Roma, Albanian, Spanish, Greek, Romanian etc. e.p.a. uses the methodology of “cochichos” – translating in whispering corners. Looking at participants feedback some of them wanted more time in discussion, others more time socialising and visiting projects but this with a mixed skilled group was not a surprise.
Conclusion From a central European view e.p.a. is used to work in areas and projects with challenging conditions (e.g. electricity cuts, challenging infrastructure, no practice or lack of transparency in accounting issues, unreliability of agreements with suppliers or other partners, unreliable internet access etc.) which usually causes delays, spontaneous rescheduling or needs though negotiations. Experiencing these challenges leaves an enormous respect for our host and anybody else who works in such challenging environment to make a good project possible. Amazingly as we ended our Roma Seminar in Kosovo the Council of Europe
• Roma youth enjoy and celebrate the same human rights as all European Youth. Ensure Roma history and culture is taught in all early education. • Roma youth have a right to be taught in their own language at all levels of Education. More effort to be put into engaging Roma teachers in education. • Roma youth have the freedom to participate as full citizens in all countries they inhabit. Stop using Roma families as the scapegoats for all societies ills. • Roma Youth expect all Governments to adhere to the “Strasbourg Declaration on Roma”. Demand Council of Europe States adopt and instigate the Declaration. • Roma Youth as the largest Youth minority in Europe expect all lawful agencies and institutions to uphold the Rights of Roma Youth at all times. • In service training on Roma issues in all institutions Health, Education, Housing, Law, Commerce etc.
e.p.a. training seminar • How can we create room for Roma Young people in racist Europe? • Gjakova 2011
Participants comments What was the most beautiful experience for you during this meeting in Gjakova, the most important and the most moving one?
The most beautiful experiences were the people and the most important one were the visits and workshops. The most moving one was the goodbye. SUNAD, Gjakova
The trainings and workshops. LENDRIT, Gjakova
El encuentro con los jóvenes de Gjakova, la visita a Colonia y la escuela, como los mas bonitos. El más importante el clima en el grupo. El que mas me conmovió fue ver a los niños con tantas dificultades – a nivel social y personal y volver a comprobar que la felicidad no entiende de condiciones. Meeting the Young people from Gjakova, the visit to Colonia and the school were the most beautiful ones. The most important one was the climate in the group. What moved me most, was to see children with so many difficulties both on a social and personal level, who proved again that happiness does not know conditions. PEDRO, Málaga
e.p.a. training seminar • How can we create room for Roma Young people in racist Europe? • Gjakova 2011
The best was the emotion of friendship and the meeting of good and deep persons in a very deep place. PIERRE, Paris
The most beautiful experience was meeting the young people from different countries. The most moving one was Colonia. AVNI, Manchester
The most beautiful experience for me during this meeting was the meeting with the Roma children in the “Bretkoc” school in Gjakova. I was so happy to see that all children are studying and playing together without making differences between Roma and Kosovo children. The most important and moving experience for me was that in this world there are still good people with good hearts and who want to help the Roma people without taking advantage of them. YULIYA, Sofia I love the people here, they are the best! LIS, Gjakova
The most important and moving one when I saw the faces of the children in Colonia and in the school when we were playing with them. SPYROS, Cephalonia
The most beautiful experience were the people I’ve met. It was a perfect team. The most important experience was to see the Kosovo in such a different way I expected and the most moving experience was the visit in Colonia. NELE, Hamburg
The most beautiful experience was to meet the friendly young people from Gjakova. The most important was that I have a different opinion about Kosovo and the most moving experience was when the young spoke about war. MONIKA, Bratislava
The most beautiful experience was to see that so many people from different countries became friends in such a short time. The most moving experience was to see the conditions of the people in Colonia. DZONI, Hamburg/Serbia
When we went to Colonia neighbourhood and to Bretkoc and we saw Roma children and we played with them. That experience made me think and it will make me work harder in this core. RREZE, Gjakova
e.p.a. training seminar • How can we create room for Roma Young people in racist Europe? • Gjakova 2011
The conversation with the participants, the walk around Gjakova. When we went to Colonia, the playing with the children and the walk at the mountains. EVI, Kozani
The most beautiful experience for me was when Mr. Bashkim Kurti talked about the RAE community live. It was very painful but also it opened my eyes. ! ! DRITA, Gjakova
What did you learn during this week?
I have learned that there are people of the good will and people that care about others. SUNAD, Gjakova
A jugar, a escuchar, a comprender, a volver a recordar To play, to listen, to understand and to remember again PEDRO, Málaga
e.p.a. training seminar • How can we create room for Roma Young people in racist Europe? • Gjakova 2011
I have learned that the Roma community is equal with us and we should be all same and friends. GRANIT, Gjakova
I learned about the experience of war time and to know more Kosovans. PIERRE, Paris
I learned that you have to act with everyone as they are equal doesn’t matter if it’s a Gipsy or Albanian. YULIYA, Sofia
I learned a lot about country, law, people. And I learned some new english words. But most important was that I have to do something about the kosovian position in my country. MONIKA, Bratislava
I learned that Roma community in my town needs more attention. EDON, Gjakova
I have learned that play is a very good / effective tool to work with young people. AVNI, Manchester
Mutual criticism brings us forward. DZONI, Hamburg/Serbia
I have learned a lot of things. One of these things was that: there are people in the world who care about Roma people and they are ready to help them and give them a better life. RREZE, Gjakova
I learnt how to be more open minded, how to solve any case if you really want to change it, to accept people in that way they are, trying to cooperate with them and is so meaningful the expression “ALL different, all equal”. TRINGA, Gjakova
The scared RAE situation in Gjakova, Colonia which was very depressing to see personally. SAMUEL, Manchester
That united you can create an atmosphere where everyone feels welcome. I also learned different plays. NELE, Hamburg
I learned a lot about Roma people and how they face segregation and discrimination in different countries. I also learned about how the government in each country tries to tackle the problem and how the majority population reacts to the minorities in their country. MOMO, Sofia
We all are made from one blood. We need to stop judging people from the colour they have. DRITA, Gjakova
e.p.a. training seminar • How can we create room for Roma Young people in racist Europe? • Gjakova 2011
Which aspect of the workshop themes did you find enlightening and why?
I really liked the part when we talked about the RAE community. GRANIT, Gjakova
All the workshops were enlightening and as each one contributed to understanding and respecting differences. AVNI, Manchester
People local practices. PIERRE, Paris
For me the enlightening thing was meeting all these people that makes me like even more my job and to be proud that I am a Gipsy. YULIYA, Sofia
La desestigmatización del pueblo de Kosovo. Porque vivimos en un mundo contaminado por los medios y a veces no quieren mostrar la verdadadera realidad. The dis-stigmatization of the people of Kosovo. Because we live in a contaminated world by the media which sometimes don’t want to show the true reality. PEDRO, Málaga
Participants were so open-minded and willing to learn. DZONI, Hamburg/Serbia
When we worked with the word “Race is a myth and Racism is a fact.” It was enlightening because we came to the conclusion that “Race is a fact and Racism is a myth that comes from one head and it become a fact”. RREZE, Gjakova
Firstly, explaining the RAE situation because it made me feel I need to collaborate. Secondly, I loved the energizers because it made the whole group feel good and excited. SAMUEL, Manchester
Meeting with Mr. Bashkim – it touched me a lot. When we share our experiences. The game when we try separate by skin colour and try to find a border of race. MONIKA, Bratislava
“Rainbow” EDON, Gjakova
Speaking about “human rights” and the conversation about “race” because I was really happy with the conclusions we end up with. SPYROS, Cephalonia
I find the workshop of race and racism very good because we said different things about it. Moreover, the project where each one represented is so important because I learn who is who and their organisation. EVI, Kozani
e.p.a. training seminar • How can we create room for Roma Young people in racist Europe? • Gjakova 2011
It was really enlightening to see how so many people from different countries worked together and became friends in such a short time. DRITA, Gjakova
I will take back human rights for Roma community. LIS, Gjakova
That we have to make some activity where people can meet Roma and do something. How it is with Kosovan at real. MONIKA, Bratislava
What will work?
you
“take
back”
to
your
The amount of ideas and love that was shared during the seminar. SUNAD, Gjakova
I don’t work but I’m taking back to my family and all my friends the only message don’t discriminate the RAE community. GRANIT, Gjakova
Good Experiences, good friendship and cooperation in future. LENDRIT, Gjakova
El no cesar en la tarea de trabajar por y para la gente, enseñar la otra cara de Kosovo, más y más integración y todavía mas juego! Not to stop the task to work for and with the people, to show the other face of Kosovo, more and more integration and still and again more play! PEDRO, Málaga
Maybe the friendship that I made in Gjakova. YULIYA, Sofia
I will use everything that I learned here for the rest of my life. EDON, Gjakova
The games and energizers. SPYROS, Cephalonia
Many new ideas. Abilities to organize. DZONI, Hamburg
I will try to do my best to work more about RAE community, to help them, integrate them and I hope I will be as good as many organization like E.P.A, to make them feel part of us. TRINGA Gjakova
e.p.a. training seminar • How can we create room for Roma Young people in racist Europe? • Gjakova 2011
I will talk about the Colonia people, the life in Gjakova and the work for Roma people from Lendrit. EVI, Kozani
Big smile, a lot of jokes and (I hope) a little bit of wisdom. MOMO, Sofia
People are all different in all over the word but also equal. It doesn’t matter if you are rich or poor you are equal. YULIYA, Sofia
I will try to integrate some plays, which show that everybody is special and that we are the same no matter how different we may be. NELE, Hamburg
We can teach our kids don’t be shamed to be a Roma and show their culture. MONIKA, Bratislava
I am different from Roma people as much as I am different from my relatives. And I am the same as much as I am with my relatives. EDON, Gjakova I got more knowledge of how to create a good atmosphere in a group. DRITA, Gjakova
How will you use “All different / All equal” to challenge Social Exclusion of Roma/RAE in your community?
I will use this to explain that we are all different and yet equal. And this will be done face-to-face with people. SUNAD, Gjakova
With social, education game. LENDRIT, Gjakova
I already do it somehow in inventing a romani subjectivity that is made of romany diversity. In this “UnityMultiplicity” there is a room for everyone. Rroms can make a room for European people in a clever Europe. PIERRE, Paris
“All different / motto in my work.
All
equal”
is
my
FATJONA, Erseke
I will try to spread the “all different / all equal” slogan to my community and then try to speak about it. SPYROS, Cephalonia
With supporting and advocating and also to call more RAE in participation in all the political and economical level. AVNI, Manchester
To create a participants.
network
with
all
DZONI, Hamburg/Serbia
I will try to show and explain to a lot of people that I will meet the worth of this quote. RREZE, Gjakova
It’s so true that people all around the word have their own culture and every each person is different but we all are equal too. RAE community needs help and a safe place to live in. I would try to help them and as I said it before to make them feel part of his society. TRINGA, Gjakova
e.p.a. training seminar • How can we create room for Roma Young people in racist Europe? • Gjakova 2011
Raising awareness amongst Bulgarians on the topic of Roma problems – poverty, low education child abuse. MOMO, Sofia
We are all equal and special in our own ways and I wanna spread this message to my friends and to all people in the community. DRITA, Gjakova
“All different / All equal!” LIS, Gjakova
First we have to do something with Non-Roma and change their mind. Because it is impossible to make a solution if people don’t change. MONIKA, Bratislava
Your personal message to the Council of Europe Roma conference!
Just do it! I don’t just identify and talk about problems because I think too much talking has been done and we are already now the problems, just start doing something against them. SUNAD, Gjakova
Tan sólo llevaria unos derechos humanos y preguntaria ¿ por qué no? Just to take there the Human rights and ask “Why not?” PEDRO, Málaga
My message to the Council of Europe Roma conference is that they should do more of these groups in other states. GRANIT, Gjakova
Can you please make it possible for Roma people in Kosovo to learn in school in Roma language. Lendrit, Gjakova
None or: Think of the wheel. Pierre, Paris
To make more meetings like this with young people, because the project with young people are not very used to be made. YULIYA, Sofia
Integrate the target group and listen to their needs and attitudes. NELE, Hamburg
Be more effective and less talking. ACT! DZONI, Hamburg/Serbia
Do more for Roma children. They deserve better. They are human beings that don’t decide for their life because they don’t have choices. RREZE, Gjakova
We all want to be special but we are all human and unique. RAE community are part of us and they need our attention. They have rights as much as we have, it doesn’t mean that other people that are rich, smart, have a house to live in, are more superior. On the other side RAE community really know how real life is, how to survive even that you are so poor, how to live in a world where they haven’t many rights and how to become part of this “RACIST” Europe! TRINGA, Gjakova
The Roma people must have the opportunity to “live” and to have their own community and to cooperate with the other people. EVI, Kozani
e.p.a. training seminar • How can we create room for Roma Young people in racist Europe? • Gjakova 2011
Try changing public opinion on the subject, break stereotypes. But the most important: provide and assure means for education to young Roma children – kindergarden, pre-school, high-school and after that UNI will follow. MOMO, Sofia
People here must also think about the environment and don’t throw trash around, waste water and electricity. MONIKA, Bratislava
No child should live in poverty and leaders should stop using minorities for their political gains. AVNI, Manchester
We are all humans. DRITA, Gjakova
Critical Comments
encouraging
and
any
other
I would like to be part of another seminar like this and maybe I will be better in helping the Roma people. RREZE, Gjakova
New workshop with different social performances. DRAMA. LENDRIT, Gjakova
This is happy.
an
education
seminar.
I
am
FATJONA, Erseke
I am grateful and so happy to be part of this seminar and I really want to be in these seminars that teach you and encourage you to change something… TRINGA, Gjakova
I will just encouraging this project because everything that we do here was for the good of the Roma. YULIYA, Sofia
I’ve learned a lot in a week, probably even more than in a year. Thank you very much for this privileged opportunity. Thanks. SAMUEL, Manchester
No workshop day.
should
take
12
hours
a
DZONI, Hamburg/Serbia
Well the seminar is very educational very good and helpfully. I would like to participate again because I met people from different countries, I talk with them and I learned about their lives in their countries. EVI, Kozani
It was nice to meet you all and I hope to see you all soon! DRITA, Gjakova
Una experiencia maravillosa que trasladara a nuestro día a día A wonderful experience, which I will translate to our every day life PEDRO, Málaga
e.p.a. training seminar • How can we create room for Roma Young people in racist Europe? • Gjakova 2011
european play work association www.go-epa.org/en/gjakova-2011
We thank everybody who supported this Training Seminar, especially the Council of Europe - European Youth Foundation, the Gjakova Youth Center and the Gjakova Municipality!