NRC

6 May 2010, National Roma Centrum is informing that today was held press conference for the media organized by the Ministry of Education and Science, and the Manual for prevention and protection from discrimination in education process in Republic of Macedonia was officially promoted. The Manual was joint activity of the Ministry of Education and Science, National Roma Centrum, and Roma Education Fund Budapest, in the frameworks of the “Campaign for Roma education (Enrolment and continuity in the education process)” financed by Roma Education Fund.

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What is Cordoba Summit promising? Is European Commission accepting Roma to promote herself?

In the light of II EU Roma Summit which will be held in Cordoba, Spain as effort for the largest European 10 millions minority. The first Summit held in 2008 promised urgent changes, integration and inclusion. NRC as participant at the Summit supported the idea for EU Roma Strategy, which was lately adopted only as Platform. Second Roma Summit will be parade of politicians who are part of high EC structures and without quality Roma representatives.

Are Roma and the public introduced about Cordoba and Summit goals and conclusions on their behalf?

Macedonia and EU must demonstrate strong political will and actions for improvement and inclusion of Roma.

National Roma Centrum (NRC) on the occasion of International Roma Day is underlying the urgency and importance of improving the situation of Roma community urging for real and visible actions. Starting from current perspective and dimension We are witnesses that Roma are trying to survive confronted with constant deterioration of socio-economic condition, stereotypes, prejudices, discrimination, lack of measures to protect cultural and language identity. Many initiatives were raised and formally supported, but still we have very clear gap in between, and should decide - Discrimination or Inclusion?

Certain number of Roma are without civil status, without ID Cards, having no possibility to access institutional support and protection, no access to health services or social protection.

NRC is highlighting that in the area of employment Roma community is at he bottom, having serious impact on socio-economic condition of Roma families as barrier to access other rights. Roma community is insufficiently and non equitably involved in the labour market. Unemployment tendency is continuing rapidly to grow for Roma.

NRC is concerned about the fact that most Roma families live in substandard living conditions in urban areas, national data base and mapping for Roma settlements is not available, for illegal housings as well, means for improving infrastructure and minimum living conditions were not funded yet.

Substandard living conditions, difficulties in access to health protection and services, having no information, having no prevention, highest rates of infant mortality are characteristics of the real picture regarding health and Roma.

Education is the bright point in the strategic aims of Republic of Macedonia to improve situation of Roma and to foster their inclusion in society. Positive step forward has been made with increased number of enrolled Roma children, positive atmosphere in schools, scholarships for students and free school books. But still we lack continuance in ensuring quality education, we lack measures for desegregation at local level, extremely high rate of illiteracy among Roma and the process to educate them has not been started yet, parents are not motivated for greater cooperation with schools.

Media reporting has been increased regarding common problems faced by Roma families having media attention. But Macedonia has not adopted anti-discrimination law as effective mechanism for protection if it occurs.

In the frameworks of the Decade for Roma Inclusion 2005-2015, Macedonia has provided nearly 5 EUR per capita for Roma inhabitant, is it enough to build home, to be employed, to educated, or to receive health services?

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For further information, please contact:

Asmet Elezovski Katerina Sojic

National Roma Centrum Done Bozinov 11/5 1300 Kumanovo Macedonia

Tel.fax: +38931427558

Email:
elezovski [at] nationalromacentrum.org
ksojic [at] nationalromacentrum.org
info [at] nationalromacentrum.org

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The ambassador of R. Slovenia, Allen Brian Bergant realized a working visit to the National Roma Centrum. He was informed about NRC’s current activities as well as about plans for future actions.

The ambassador confirmed the cooperation with the National Roma Centrum from 2008, from the presidency of Slovenia with the European Union. He expressed his pleasure from NRC’s progress, with emphasis in the area of education.

The meeting was used to review possible initiatives for cooperation that are to be realized in the near future. The ambassador emphasized his assurance about the possibilities for cooperation with NRC through realization of mutual activities.

The National Roma Centrum expects for the cooperation with the Slovenian embassy to continue and it considers that the progress of Roma on all levels will help Macedonia in the process for entrance in Europe. “NRC is a service for the citizens” highlighted Asmet Elezovski, manager of the National Roma Centrum and will continue to act in the future on behalf of the citizens, creating a positive direction in the roma problematic.”

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Before you is the 7th issue of the magazine EDNO, with the latest contents that treat and cover the current issues in the Macedonian society in the area of education, socio-economic problems, as well as obstacles and problems that interrupt the integration of the Roma community in the processes of the above mentioned areas and general integration in all social currents. We hope that our team, with the prepared materials that treat problems from various levels of our society, will encourage you to review the latest contents and we hope that the information and impressions you receive from it will be transferred to all your colleagues and friends. (more…)

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After the promotion of the magazine “EDNO – Education for everyone”
Through the campaign “The key is your hands”
Education is the key towards integration and prosperity

It is our pleasure to inform you that on the 26 th January at Art Café - Multimedia center Mala Stanica in Skopje we organized a promotion of the magazine “EDNO – Education for everyone” which is being realized within the frameworks of the campaign for education of Roma “The key is your hands”. . The National Roma Centrum from Kumanovo has been realizing this campaign since 2006, with support from the Roma Education Fund from Budapest .

At the promotion many representatives from various Embassies in Macedonia attended, as well as representatives from educational institutions, international organizations, schools and other individuals. After the introductory speech of the coordinator of the campaign, Mr. Asmet Elezovski the promotion went in a relaxed atmosphere. The performance of the violinist Gazmend Berisha astonished the present people.

The magazine is a contribution towards intensive inclusion and acceptance of Roma children in the educational process. The publisher is the National Roma Centrum.

This magazine is being prepared in order to see (1) in what direction the education of Roma is moving , (2) how to intensify the communication between schools and parents and (3) ways to keep Roma pupils in the educational process. The magazine will be distributed in all elementary schools and educational institutions in the 15 cities covered by the campaign (Kumanovo, Skopje, Prilep, Bitola, Kocani, Stip, Tetovo, Kriva Palanka, Veles, Gostivar, Kavadarci, Vinica, Delcevo, Berovo and Kratovo).

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