The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina No

A Monthly Periodical of The Roma Inclusion Office The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina no. 22, November 2012. no. 22, November

FIRST PRE-SCHOOL TEACHER IN THE ROMA LANGUAGE

Interview: Zoran Mladenović

Successful Roma: Stanko Petrović

The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina 1 INTRODUCTION

Dear readers, Happy anniversary of our monthly magazine! We The Founder and the Published of the Periodical: wish it to be more interesting, more read and purpose- The Roma Inclusion Office of the ful! Government of AP Vojvodina We would like to point out one exceptionally important fact about our monthly magazine: for several months The Editor: we have been the only magazine on the territory of the Duško Jovanović, dipl. ing. of agriculture entire Republic of Serbia which deals with the problems of Roma only – we inform our readers of the problems of The editor of theme of the number: Roma, their culture and history in Roma, Serbian and En- Duško Jovanović, dipl. ing. of agriculture glish and we are trying to show and prove that the Roma are as equally valuable as any other nation and thus dese- The Team: rve the same opportunity to be educated, employed and Dragana Rajić given health care. However… Snežana Dimić, dipl. pedagogist When we say – the only magazine… Zita Farkaš, pharmachologist We cannot say that we are proud of it… We have a great responsibility for being the only Correspondents: one. Our greatest wish is to help individuals, organiza- Roma Coordinators of APV tions and institutions to solve certain Roma issues in their prof. dr Vladimir Gecelovsky environment, according to the model we offer them, but Ivana Koprivica, dipl. psychologist also we wish to contribute to the elimination of preju- dices which non-Roma have against Roma population. Translation in Roma language: We wish to motivate Roma, with the positive example Igor Dimić, preschool teacher of their countrymen, to try hard, make progress and start thinking – If he/she can do it, so can I. Translation in English language: The criticisms we received so far have been only oral Mirjana Serdar, BA in English Philology and mainly positive. We want to believe that that was not done only out of politeness. We believe that in the last year, in the period of our Technical Preparation and Printing: existence, we got to know each other and that we can MAXIMA GRAF, Petrovaradin already ask each other everything. Also, we are ready to [email protected] hear you, the reason of our existence, and to adjust to www.maximagraf.rs your taste and to consider your opinion. We wish to communicate with you, which is why Circulation: we are introducing an innovation: all your comments for 1000 our monthly magazine, positive and negative criticism, recommendations related to the topics you would (not) Address: Bulevar Mihajla Pupina 25, like to see in our and your magazine, all of which you can 21000 Novi Sad send on our e-mail address: redakcija.sugestije@gmail. com and contribute to the quality of our magazine “De- cade of Roma in AP Vojvodina”. We want to hear your opinion and to justify your trust... The Team

2 The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina This month’s topic: First pre-school teacher in the Roma language STRAIGHT “A” Merima Nika belongs to the first generation of students who studied to be specialized pre-school teachers in the Roma language at the Pre-school Teacher Training College “Mihailo Palov” in Vrsac. Today she is the first graduate student majoring in this subject.

Merima defended her thesis “Planning, Observing and Evaluating Beginner’s Ma- thematics Education” in the ceremonial hall of this school on 5th November. Commis- sion consisting of members Dr. Aleksandra Stojanovic, Dr. Tanja Nedimovic and Professor Predrag Prtljaga gave this thesis the highest mark. Photo: M. Karadžić Her defense consisted of three parts. In the first part Me- At the beginning of thesis defense rima presented the basis of her her face, which proved that that “This day is a historical thesis and in the second part the November day was still special. day, not only for the Roma commission members asked “We treat our students equ- community, but also for the so- questions. After that, the com- ally. We look forward to every ciety we live in. This study pro- mission left the room in order graduate student and it is our gram is something which has to assess Merima’s thesis. pleasure to reach that goal to- clearly shown Serbia’s and Pro- An excellent combination of gether with them. Today I have vince’s interest in the nurture of theory and practice to admit that I am happier more the identity of Roma national than usually because this is the community. Thus, this event is Merima’s mentor, Dr. Alek- student who was completely remarkably important not only sandar Stojanovic, said that he committed to her faculty obli- for the Roma community, but was satisfied with their coope- gations. Besides, she partici- also for this city, province and ration. pated in student parliament, as country. Besides Merima, the “Merima had showed in- well as various extracurricular teaching staff of this school also terest in this topic even during activities. That is why I am takes credit for today’s success. her studies. She approached happy today, because I saw that What I always insisted on from this task as any other - serio- all her efforts and potentials she the very beginning is making usly and responsibly. She used showed are now rewarded with no difference between students relevant references and connec- success.” of Roma nationality and stu- ted the theoretical part with her dents of non-Roma nationality. practical research in an outstan- Historical event We see that today, because the ding way.” Dusko Jovanovic, director commission listened to this de- A span more of happiness of the Roma Inclusion Office fense without any prejudice. It of AP Vojvodina which was an was my pleasure to attend this Dr. Grozdanka Gojkov, initiator of the opening of this defense.” director of this school, also at- study program together with tended the defense. She was the the Government of AP Vojvodi- first to congratulate Merima. na, said that 5th November be- Dragana Dimitrov Even though she said that all came part of the history thanks students are equal in this scho- to Merima’s thesis defense. ol, she could not take smile off

The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina 3 This month’s topic: First pre-school teacher in the Roma language

Interview with Merima Nika DIPLOMA IN HER HANDS, SMILE ON HER FACE

I admit that I was nervous before defending my thesis. However, when I started presenting it, my nervo- usness slowly disappeared. I am happy that everything went well, because I worked really hard for it. My diploma is a reward for my people, my parents and everyone who encouraged me. Diploma in my hands and a smile on my face lead to a good sequel to this story.” This was the answer of Merima Nika when we congratulated her on her success. Moreover, she shared with us her impressions about her education at the College and her plans for the future. She also gave her opinion about the significance of her study program and her attitude about Roma tradition, as well as her message for Roma students.

continue my education; I am not going to stop here. I am planning to enroll on specialized studies in my school, but also to continue my education at the Teacher Training Faculty in Belgrade. Employment is the most important for me, and then all those other things I mentioned. I never lacked persistence, which

Photo: M. Karadžić is one of the main factors of suc- Awaiting commission results cess.

*Thanks to your success, -‘Satisfied’ does not give it *You are the first graduated you have become one of the le- justice. I would recommend this pre-school teacher in the Roma aders of education of Roma in faculty to every future student, language. How important is it our country. Who else is “guil- because it offers much more that members of Roma popula- ty” of your success? than you expect. Professors tion will have the opportunity -I think that the biggest cre- were very considerate and stu- to have in their pre-school edu- dit for my success and my cho- dent-friendly. Thus, they sup- cation someone with whom they ice goes to my parents. They port the students, which further will be able to communicate in have invested so much strength, motivates and encourages them. their mother tongue? persistence and effort to empha- University students are not just -That is very important, not size the importance of education a name and a number, but per- just for children, but also for pa- to my sister and me. I am glad sons and that’s what made me rents who will finally have so- that they succeeded in that. happy during my studies. meone to talk to when they need Besides them, there was the help. We will be there to help Roma Inclusion Office which *What are your further them as much as we can, and if supported every move I made plans? we cannot solve something, we and which takes the biggest cre- -My first plan is to find a will direct them to person who dit for my choice of this school. job, of course, in my profession, can. Thus, the relation between Thanks to the scholarship pro- in a certain pre-school institu- Roma and institutions, which is vided by the Office, my parents tion. I would like it to be an in- often problematic, will be im- did not have to worry about any stitution which is attended by a proved. financial problems. large number of Roma children, As I said, I would like to so that I can promote the educa- work in an institution attended *Are you satisfied with your tion of Roma in a proper way. by a larger number of Roma studies at this school? After finding a job, I plan to children, because I would know

4 The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina This month’s topic: First pre-school teacher in the Roma language how to deal with them, con- primarily education of Roma Roma people have, unlike other sidering that I myself was in boys and girls. I am only one of national communities. It is im- the same position. I will try to numerous examples of the tradi- portant to mention that, because help them master the language tion being broken and I am pro- many of them give up on scho- of the environment as much as ud of it. Nowadays, we, girls, oling, not knowing where and possible, but also the lessons we just like our boys, are complete- who they can ask for help and learn. I would like to succeed ly equal with others. support. primarily in boosting their self- I think that all of us toge- As far as institutions are -confidence and faith in themse- ther, both Roma and non-Roma, concerned, I would like to men- lves, so that tomorrow they can are aware of the fact that we tion the Roma Inclusion Offi- become good people who are have the same possibilities and ce, which helps students enroll ready to bravely walk through abilities. on high schools, colleges and life. faculties. And not just that. *What advice do you have The Roma Inclusion Office in *What is the current state for members of Roma popula- cooperation with Council for of Roma tradition, in your opi- tion? Integration of Roma of AP Vo- nion? Do girls still leave school -I want to tell them not to jvodina and National Council of to get married? give up, to be persistent and Roma national minority helps -I think that that part of hard-working, and all their plans Roma people fulfill their rights Roma tradition is behind us. and goals will fulfill. I think that on scholarships of the Ministry Nowadays republican and pro- it is important to emphasize the of Education of the Republic of vincial institutions emphasize support of institutions, which Serbia, as well as their rights on

Summary

Topic: Planning, observing and evaluating beginner’s mathematics education

Every educational cycle consists of four phases - planning, observing, acting and monitoring. The paper deals with these phases related to beginner’s mathematics education. In addition, it discusses the role and significance of mathematics in pre-school age, as well as methodological principles and me- thods of pre-school teacher’s work. The paper also emphasizes the importance of evaluation, which provides a pre-school teacher with continuous promotion of the curriculum, planning and practice of beginner’s mathematics education. Based on the results of evaluation, pre-school teachers estimate what must be improved in order for the curriculum to function better. Regular development of child’s personality requires teacher’s constant care and influence. Pre-school teachers take care of pre-school children in their most sensitive period when it is necessary to create an atmosphere in which children will accept the school more easily, adapt to its conditions and get ready for it. In addition to pre-school teachers, parents have a great role in beginner’s mathematics education, but also the cooperation between parents and pre-school teachers. This paper reached the following conclusions regarding methodical acts of a pre-school teacher. A pre-school teacher should: • Organize well physical environment (space, means) and social environment (manner of children grouping, time organization, general social atmosphere); • Enable children to observe, compare, experiment, solve problems, daydream and create their own thoughts during playtime; • Encourage children to observe the most important characteristics of objects in games with objects, to notice similarities and differences, as well as to name and describe objects; • Encourage children to thoughtfully separate object’s characteristics for the object itself and notice them in other objects. Then children can group objects by similarities, i.e. classify them by color, shape, size and purpose.

The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina 5 This month’s topic: First pre-school teacher in the Roma language

accommodation in dorms and faction I have today suppressed * Your daughter shows that students’ restaurants. all difficulties and torments we the situation changed in the If you are persistent and went through during Merima’s education of Roma girls, who hard-working on one hand, and education. would leave school early to get have the support of institutions, married. on the other hand, you will not *What is your message for -That was before. Nowa- experience any financial pro- Roma parents when it comes to days, thanks to the institutions, blems. Your success is guaran- education of their children? the situation is changing. I wo- teed. -I think that the parent’s role uld like to see that in the future is truly great at the beginning of too; and to see Roma being edu- PARENTS “GUILTY” OF education. It is necessary to te- cated as much as possible. That SUCCESS ach your children the language is a great success for all of us. Merima says that her pa- of the social environment. It rents take the biggest credit for often happens that children who *What do you expect from her success. Here is what her fa- do not know the language of the Merima? Have you talked about ther, Zoran Nika, said about her social environment spend the- her plans? success. ir entire elementary education -We haven’t discussed any- without learning that language. thing in detail. I would like her *You have two daughters. And they certainly lag behind to continue her education. It is One of them graduated today, other children. I felt that from up to her to decide and we are while the other is also a univer- my own experience. That’s why here to support her. We hope to sity student. How hard was it to I taught my children their mo- get the support of the Roma In- support and direct them? ther tongue, but also the langu- clusion Office of AP Vojvodina, -Of course, it was hard, but age of the social environment. I which has helped us so far with we never lacked persistence. We think that that is the best model, all the problems we encounte- gave our children that persisten- because in that way we connect red. ce. Today was one of the hap- in our children our tradition and piest days of my life. The satis- country we live in. Dragana Dimitrov Photo: M. Karadžić

Merima Nika with her parents and sister

6 The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina This month’s topic: First pre-school teacher in the Roma language Photo: M. Karadžić

The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina 7 Interview Provincial secretary for healthcare, social policy and demographics Dr. Vesna Kopitovic WE CAN SOLVE PROBLEMS IN HEALTHCARE!

The words of provincial secretary professor Dr. Vesna Kopitovic show great medical experience. She talked with us about healthcare, defined problems health centers and hospitals face and discussed the plans for their solutions. We learned many things from her and we believe that our readers will, after this interview, have a bit more understanding for their doctors, because, thanks to our interviewee, they will see the long waiting lists in polyclinics and lines in health centers and Emergency Room from another perspective.

network plan and cadre plan need to be good and if something does not work, problem must be solved.

* How to persuade poor and uneducated people to check their health regularly? - That is really hard. Maybe we will succeed in that if we make it simpler. Patient needs to find his doctor more easily and be satisfied. I think that the solution is at the local level. It is necessary to organize calls for the population to attend Photo: M. Karadžić regular systematic examinations. If a person forgets that he/she has an * What is the current state in * What do you see as the so- appointment, then somebody sho- healthcare? lution? uld call and remind him/her. - Nowadays the healthcare is - The solution will be making If they have a medical worker not in a great position. Still, the the state and private sector equal. in their place, who is employed for provincial government has a great That will be the solution of the pri- their sake, then let’s organize those team of experts we believe in. mary health protection. If the sta- calls. Systematic examinations are te does not have the funds to pay carried out through calls worldwide * What are the responsibilities the necessary number of healthcare and if you forget it, someone must of the Secretariat? workers, let’s work together! The - The province is the founder of all thirty-five hospitals, speciali- * Many patients object to long waiting for an examination. zed and highly-specialized institu- Can that be changed? tes. The Secretariat should take care - I think that this system is vulnerable because the appoint- of them, their cadre, equipment and ments are made on the phone. The phone secretary is not a pro- investments. The Secretariat’s goal is to continue investment in its in- per way for people to explain their problems. He or she does not stitutions, together with the Fund know if you are an emergency, if you are a person who needs a for Capital Investments. systematic examination. Do we need a phone secretary? We need a real person who will listen to a patient and determine if it is an * Nowadays people mention emergency. It is in Vojvodina healthcare’s best interest to work primary health protection more and together with local self-governments to change something. more often. Explain to our readers Prevention is the most important. If it is good, Emergency what it includes. Center will have less work. Emergency Center is open for every- - Primary health protection one, but the primary doctor must not be only a traffic police officer is related to all health institutions - he/she must work and recognize a patient’s problem and try to and health centers, within which a solve it. Also, it should be checked if that doctor can examine so patient has his own chosen doctor, specialist, and gynecologist. many patients. Doctors have a great number of patients. We must do something about that.

8 The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina Interview call and remind you. We should explain to people through bazaars * Even though the Emergency center represents a place where of health, public appearances and fast and efficient action is taken, it is often the opposite. What is the the media how important it is to un- problem? dergo a preventive examination. - Plan of cadre and plan of network are a centralized thing. It is necessary to establish communication (currently non-existent) * Serbia is fighting against the between the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Serbia, Institute white plague. Is the situation alar- for Public Health of Vojvodina and our Provincial Secretariat. ming? Cadre commission proposes cadre - number of employees ac- - Demographic structure shows cording to the number of beds and examinations. that 12.5% people are more than 65 The number of cadre determined by the Ministry of Health and years old. 7.1 % is the world avera- Commission for cadre is not enough. We asked for 70 doctors and ge. We have a very low birth rate, 270 nurses from the Ministry of Health for the Emergency Center, a high death rate and a low fertility which covers 9000 m2 and has 50 beds. However, we got 5 doctors rate, thus we have a negative po- and 5 nurses. Who can work with only 5 doctors and 5 nurses? Mo- pulation growth. We must improve reover, you need to fund the rest of cadre, medicines and energy- the population growth. -generating products from your own sources. The plan of cadre is not good. Austria has a good system: the- * How can we do it? ir goal is simple procedures, without keeping the patients for too - Employment system is whe- much time, nothing invasive - everything in order for the patient to re we should start. The Province go home as soon as possible. We should reduce the costs of educa- had lovely measures which inclu- tion and equipment. But our state forces you to keep the patient for ded funding of the third and fourth as long time as possible in one of hospital’s beds. child, twins, triplets, quadruplets and so on, but the Constitution dren must not be hostages. Where energy-generating products and ca- denied the decision of the Law on are the children’s rights to choose dre. You don’t have enough money authority and we are no longer able parents? They cannot choose their and you increase your debt. Mr. to conduct them. But we are not gi- mother, nor the conditions under Dinkic decided to pay the debt to ving up. We will find a way how to he/she is born. One day he/she will suppliers. It was paid in 2006 too. compensate for it. We also have to wonder: why? That is not a permanent solution. find a way to help single mothers You still don’t have enough mo- and fathers, so that they can feed * Are we ready for internatio- ney to cover all medicines, costs their children and have a job. nal standards? and all energy-generating products. Also, by rebalancing our bud- - The problem lies in our edu- The solution lies in the reform of get we got new funds totaling one cation - what is good and what is the system. The Assembly is the hundred and seventy million. Those bad. I think it is our obligation to place where we should propose an funds are forwarded to a maternity see how problems are solved in amendment. hospital, in order for future mothers other countries. The Ministry of I think that we can solve these to be satisfied. Children come first Health has the same opinion. We problems. - we are focused on helping them will give our proposal very soon. More than 12 billion were al- come to this world in as big number * Health institutions of Vo- located for the healthcare of Vojvo- as possible. That will be the first jvodina face financial problems. dina in the last four years. A lot of measure for improving birth rate. A great number of hospitals are in money was invested in hospitals. constant debts? There are ongoing projects which * We must provide our children - At the beginning we gathe- will end during 2013. with basic conditions for uninter- red directors of all clinics, the re- rupted development. Experts say: publican Fund for Health Insurance * At the beginning of this co- family must be planned. and our Secretariat and established nversation you mentioned that Vo- - We must take care of our communication. We identified the- jvodina has a great team. Is it po- reproductive health and plan a fa- ir problems. We were seven billion ssible to keep the best people with mily, only when we have the pro- short at the start due to the needs of little money? per conditions for it. Why to give healthcare in Vojvodina. -We have a lot of excellent birth to ten children (I apologize), There is no hospital in Serbia young students of medicine. If if we cannot provide them with that is free of debts. Hospitals have I were in their position, I do not everything we want. It is socially the same funding for medicines, think that I would stay in this co- irresponsible. The message is: chil-

The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina 9 Interview untry. They have the right to say President of the municipality of Srbobran, Zoran Mladenovic that this country does not offer enough for them. I can see the solution. Best students must be of- MAKING WORK PUBLIC – IMPORTANT fered a position at clinics, in ter- PRE-REQUISITE FOR DEVELOPMENT tiary institutions; the best must be included in projects. That is why President of the municipality of Srbobran, Zoran Mladenovic, to- we are open to Europe. gether with his team introduces novelties in the work of municipal ad- Our Secretariat has a depart- ministration, in whose charge he has been since 10th July. He thinks ment for projects. We are open that making his work public is one of the main pre-requisites for the to Europe. We are going to apply development of every local self-government. The door of his office is for all projects offered, which can open for all citizens, whom this president considers his partners. provide our young experts with an opportunity to participate in and start serious scientific work and research. The first project we started is a project of the Fa- culty of Medicine and Faculty of Science. We opened a new major - reproductive biology, i.e. em- bryology. Nowhere in the surro- unding area is there a school that educates people to become reproductive biologists - embryologi- sts. Professor Miodrag Stojkovic, who is one of the participants of this project, confirmed that there

are many young Serbian experts Photo: M. Karadžić who live abroad. We want to attract young people. Once we train *In your opinion, what is for 2013. Everything we do is the cadre, we can build a center the most important thing in the public, starting from radio bro- for reproductive, regenerative work of a local self-govern- adcasts of the Assembly to the medicine, stem cells, and treatment? complete work of the Municipal ments of patients. Stem cells are If I would have to choose Council. the future of patients’ treatment. one thing, it would be making * Finally, the Government your work public, which repre- *How important is it to have of AP Vojvodina won the fourth sents a good basis for the deve- a good, competent, skillful and place for investments in Cannes. lopment of every local self-go- accurate team which serves the vernment. This is why the mu- Does that mean that we are he- ones who elected it? ading in the right direction? nicipality of Srbobran exposed All changes and progress - 87% of projects in our co- itself maximally to the public come from good people, from untry are projects of Vojvodina. judgment. We achieved many We have the right people, we things in the previous period, your team. And everybody un- only need to give them a chance since I became the president of derstands that. If you have a and engage them in the right di- the municipality. In addition to good team, everything is possi- rection. Teaching, science, edu- the municipality’s website, we ble and feasible. Our municipal cation and medicine must work team focuses on solving social and cooperate synchronically and experimentally launched a we- we will advocate the fulfillment bsite 48 hours. It is concerned issues and investments in the de- of that. with giving quick responses to velopment of the municipality. our citizens. That’s what we promised to our For the first time, the mu- citizens before the elections and Dragana Dimitrov nicipality gave our citizens an that’s what we must achieve. opportunity to create budget

10 The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina Interview

only ones trying to attract investors. We compete against Mol- davia, Belorussia and Ukraine. It is not enough to say that we want investors, we want investments. It is necessary to create pre-requisites which will be recognized by investors. Thus, the municipality of Srbobran will become a place where they can realize their economic interest. If those pre-requisites Photo: M. Karadžić President of the Municipality of Srbobran at the meeting with director are not created and recognized, of Roma Inclusion Office there will be no investments. Money and market do not speak *What did you achieve as jects and master other techniqu- the language of sentimentality – far as social issues are concer- es and skills, which are neces- they are very cruel. ned? sary to attract investors and be The advantage of the mu- According to this year’s competitive on the market. nicipality of Srbobran has is its budget, 300 000 RSD are inten- Together with Development good geographical position. It ded for one-time aids for social- Agency of Backa and Univer- is located 45km from Romania, ly vulnerable citizens. We allo- sity of Novi Sad, as partners Hungary and Croatia. When you cated 1 700 000 RSD for these from Serbia and International say that to investors, first they issues for budget rebalance. Agency Memfis, as a partner don’t believe you, then they look This is social responsibility from Italy, we are also planning at the map and when they are co- and it is something that should to open an incubator in our mu- nvinced, we start negotiating. not be ignored. nicipality, where citizens could Industrial zone still needs to Besides 2 000 000 RSD for educate and start new develop- be reconstructed. We got most social issues, we allocated ad- mental projects, thus increasing ditional funds to provide Roma the number of employees in the- of the approvals and are waiting students with snacks, textbooks ir companies. So we won’t be for a few more. We started so- and school equipment. working only on attracting and lving infrastructural and utility We helped all socially vul- bringing investors, but also ca- problems. I believe that we will nerable categories of citizens pacity building. work hard in the following pe- together with the Center for So- riod and that we will succeed cial Work and the Red Cross by *What plan do you have for in creating all pre-requisites in providing them with basic gro- attracting investments? one-year period in order to make ceries. Everything we did was Since the moment I became Srbobran a good destination for done in cooperation with the the president, representatives investors and investments. Center for Social Work and Red of local self-government have In 2015 we will have Wor- Cross; there were no presumpti- attended every seminar or tra- kers Olympics for the second ve estimates, nor political or pri- ining. A few days ago I myself time, as an only municipality in vate favoritism. attended one study visit. I am Vojvodina. That will be an op- still learning, because learning portunity for us and our local *What are municipality’s is unavoidably a lifetime pro- self-government to attract inve- activities when it comes to em- cess. We are all trying to take stments. ployment? our personal abilities to another Together with Development level, because the market does *How important is it that Agency of Backa we included not give a second chance. The citizens recognize themselves 150 of our citizens in education. market is not only Serbia. Mu- as municipality’s partners in the They were trained to write pro- nicipalities in Serbia are not the process of its development?

The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina 11 Interview

The goal of every local self- Now it will be once a month. I hope that the first place in -government, as well as ours, is So, they do not have to come to resources will soon be occupied reducing the number of unem- my office; they can speak to me by industrial zone which covers ployed people and poverty. I in the premises of the local com- 2000 ha of land. cannot and do not want to avoid munities. As far as tourism is con- this responsibility. We called all associations cerned, outstanding resources So far the municipality of from the territory of our muni- are Beljanska bara, river Kriva- Srbobran hasn’t had employees cipality and asked them to give ja and Canal DTD for hunting with full-time jobs within the their suggestions as far as their and fishing. Soon we expect the beginning of hotel’s reconstruc- City Council. Now we reached funding from the budget is con- tion. a decision which changes that, cerned. That was the first such We plan to employ our eth- so the burden of responsibilities offer they had from the self-go- no salas, as well as the develop- will be equally distributed. Wi- vernment, so they were very sur- ment of an ethno settlement at thin our local self-government prised. We had a public discus- the location where the river Kri- we will open offices which will sion with presidents of those vaja flows into Canal DTD. be available to our citizens. That associations. We also have oil fields. I is the beginning of what was Besides that discussion, ci- often like to say that you should- promised them right after we tizens have the possibility of n’t go to Texas, but to Srbobran were elected – a faster, easier creating our budget on the Inter- and see our oil fields. and better communication with net, as I already mentioned. Moreover, there is also our local, provincial, republican in- Clearly, there can be a few cultural heritage, such as castle stitutions, but also foreign states people who are not satisfied Dundjerski and Lenka’s Ring and funds. among those associations and award. Civil sector and all pressure citizens, because we are a small The municipality of Srbo- it puts on the local self-govern- municipality with a modest bud- bran has not recognized and ment are very important and get. But I will be the most satis- appreciated all these capacities stimulating. A large number of fied if they are all equally unsa- and resources so far. So, this is our citizens visit my office. No tisfied, because that would mean something that we will really be working on. one was stopped in that or asked that the cake was distributed In the following days we which party he or she belong to. equally and that no one received should adopt a marketing plan We introduced another no- less. and program, which will include velty. As the municipality’s pre- things we are most proud of – sident, together with my team, I *Finally, what resources our cultural events, which must have addressed my citizens once of your municipality would you not be forgotten. a week since we were elected. single out as the primary ones? Dragana Dimitrov Photo: M. Karadžić Representatives of Srbobran Municipality and Roma Inclusion Office at a meeting

12 The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina Education Zivka Fan, pedagogical assistant SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN FROM CURUG

* Why did you choose this but the hardest thing is working fice and local self-government, I profession? with people. I had a great sup- manage to provide children with - I decided to do this job port from Marija Aleksandrovic books, equipment and clothes. primarily because I was unem- and Jelena Jovanovic, who insi- ployed when I saw the job ope- sted on me working as a peda- * What are your work obli- ning. Before this job, I worked gogical assistant. I started wor- gations and daily work tasks? as a health mediator on a project king in the elementary school - My daily tasks include in the municipality of Zabalj. in Curug. I had, and I still have, providing children and students The project had lasted for about thank God, a great support of with additional support in ac- six months, after which I beca- the employees and director Sve- me unemployed. The calling of cordance with their needs. I help tlana Rajic, who participates a pedagogical assistant seemed teachers, pre-school teachers in every aid for Roma children as an ideal opportunity to conti- and associates in order for them nue where I stopped as a health and understands all problems I to improve their work with chil- mediator, the only difference encounter. dren and students; I establish being that now my priority are cooperation with parents and at children from pre-school age to the same time I cooperate with the eighth grade. the headmaster and institutions in charge, organizations and lo- *Do you like your job? cal self-government. - I have always wanted to Photo: M. Karadžić work with children, to help them * What do you think is the in studying and direct them on biggest problem, when it comes the right track, so that they could realize how important it is to working with children? to be educated, because educa- - Our biggest problem in tion primarily means escaping school is mostly irregular at- poverty. tendance. When the weather is nice, children come to school, * Who is supporting you? In cooperation with the em- but as soon as it starts raining - It wasn’t easy for me at ployees, the Roma Inclusion Of- and snowing, children do not the beginning - no job is easy, attend school regularly, because the settlement they live in does not have a road. The mud they walk through is knee-deep, they don’t have proper shoes and even the children who do have proper shoes end up muddy and dirty and do not come to school in that condition. The second problem is poverty which can be seen eve- rywhere; children often go to work with their parents, pick

Photo: M. Karadžić corn, work on the field in order to survive. Petar Nikolic, outside Matica Romska, presents Zivka Fan with a certificate for Roma language teacher

The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina 13 Education

* What kind of families do children you work with come from? - Their families usually have four, five or more children so one of the problems I face is that parents can educate only one or two children, because they cannot afford to educate all of them.

* Are you satisfied with your cooperation with parents? - Cooperation with parents Photo: M. Karadžić and children is excellent; I Zivka Fan with her students spend every day in one of Roma settlements in Curug and there people and I am proud of the tion is coming to school and are three such settlements. I talk fact that children want to go to seeing them wait for me, run- to parents on daily basis, I try to school; they constantly ask for ning to hug me. I have a feeling help if they have any problems my help in studying. I see that that I have changed something and I tend to influence childre- they want to make progress, to and that those children are real- n’s return to school. I constantly know more and to escape pover- ly happy at school, next to me, talk about how important edu- ty. that they trust me and want and cation is, how privileged our wish to be educated and achieve children are and how important * What is the most beautiful something in their lives. is it to use that, especially now thing in this job? during the Decade of Roma. - I love all children I work I think I managed to reach with and my greatest satisfac- Dragana Dimitrov Photo: M. Karadžić

Zivka Fan with her students

14 The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina Education A LIBRARY ADAPTED TO CHILDREN’S NEEDS

A twelve-year old student of the Elementary School “Veljko Vlahovic” from Sangaj, Aleksandar, likes coming to the library. He has been coming to the library every day for two years. Together with his librarian, he studies, practices math and Serbian and does homework. Aleksandar does not have enough space for studying at home, because he lives with his parents and five brothers and sisters in a single room.

in their knowledge. Also, I noticed that it was quite frequent for a fifth-grader not to know how to sum, subtract or read. Every day I make contact with the school pedagogue, as well as with teachers - we exchan- ge experience; sometimes a teacher calls to inform me of an upcoming test and ask me to help certain students, to make sure that that test goes well. Teacher Dina Zavarko is satisfied with the cooperation Photo: M. Karadžić with the librarian, but also with We learned from the li- des more than four thousand children’s knowledge. brarian Dragana Dimitrov that books in Serbian and several “The change is noticeable. this family is not the only one hundred in Roma. “It is not a Since they started going to the living in those conditions, that coincidence that the Library library, the children have been there are many families in San- was opened in this settlement”, doing homework regularly and gaj who live like that. “This is Dragana Dimitrov explained. the librarian is in regular con- children’s second home. They “It is because there are many tact with teachers. If there is any come here first to do their ho- children here who do not have confusion regarding the manner mework, read a book, and then appropriate conditions for stu- of help for children, particular- to hang out and have fun”, she dying at home and cannot count ly in senior classes, the teachers said. on parents’ help in studying. are always there to help and gu- The opening of the libra- At the very beginning of ide the librarian. That is parti- ry “Trifun Dimic” is the result her work, the librarian Dragana cularly noticeable and obvious of a cooperation of the local realized that her task was not in teachers of junior classes; community “Sangaj”, the Go- going to consist of issuing bo- for example, my student didn’t vernment of AP Vojvodina, the oks only, but also helping chil- have homework for three days Roma Inclusion Office, Open dren in studying. because the library didn’t work Society Fund and Matica Rom- “When I met the kids I no- for three days. So, they give ska. The Library’s fund inclu- ticed that they had many gaps children great help with their homework. “ * What do you like the most here? The most frequent obstacle Aleksandar: “I like learning because it is quiet here. Strong in the acceptance of Roma chil- silence. “ dren is the lack of hygienic ro- * Did you get any higher grades? utine; also, they often have lice. Aleksandar: “Yes, now I have Ds and Cs. When it is sunny That is why they get regular ba- outside or rainy and cold, we come here to play with friends, hang out, talk and do homework. “ ths in the library; we found out from Dragana Dimitrov that

The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina 15 Education brothers spend their time in the library, because there is not enough space for all of them in their small house. Sandra: “We bathe and eat here… I get dressed and Draga- na says that I am pretty, and I also had a haircut here.” Dragana Dimitrov is a teacher of Serbian language and literature. She comes from a poor family, just like the children who visit the library. That is why she understands them and helps them to deal with their difficult childhood.

Photo: M. Karadžić “When the working hours are over, I simply cannot leave they make sure that Roma chil- life which parents should be the library. I go home but they dren are always clean and neat. dealing with, such as washing are still in my thoughts, even “Luckily, we have two bathro- their hair, treating them for though I am criticized by my oms in the library, so the first lice, teaching them about ba- family members who say that it thing that we do with children sic hygiene, everything we te- is only a job, that I am unable to from financially vulnerable fa- ach them at school. But we still separate it from home, because milies is to take them to their cannot do so much, we cannot they are part of my life. Some- baths. Then, no child can study bathe them, we can only wash times there are extremely pain- if he or she is hungry. Thanks their hands and faces. So, they ful situations; one of the most to the help of the Roma Inclu- get all that in the library, which painful ones happened when a sion Office, the director of lan- is very important. user of our library was so hun- guage school “Lingua” and our Even though they still do gry one afternoon that he didn’t own efforts, we provide food not attend school, five-year old hesitate to go to a dumpster and for those children. Then we Sandra and her older sister and find what other children had start studying with them and try eaten and thrown away.“ to have other children respect “We provide them with them. That is very important food in the library, but tomor- for us, because we know that row they are hungry again. the situation from the library Their parents provide them will be carried over to the scho- with nothing. No matter how ol and the street. hard we try to find permanent Teacher Dina Zavarko says solution, we cannot. “ that they have been successful- The majority of those chil- ly overcoming that hygienic ob- dren live in difficult conditions stacle on their way to complete in families with several mem- socialization of Roma children bers, some of which do not with the help of the librarian even have a single meal a day, a Dragana and educator Marija place to sleep, electricity or wa- Spasojevic. ter. True moments of happiness “The library also did a gre- Photo: M. Karadžić are rare in such difficult condi- at job here, because the libra- tions. In order to change that, rian deals with that segment of the librarian Dragana Dimitrov

16 The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina Education decided to celebrate each chil- child, I know that I am the first der to live better, we must have d’s birthday. Nine-year old Ste- who did that and I know that a good job and in order to have van or Giga, as his friends call the child will come back with a good job, we must be edu- him, celebrated his birthday for a smile and be satisfied and that cated. And that is the road we the first time several days ago. something will become better must take in order to achieve Stevan: “There were mu- in his life. something in our lives.” sic, cake, all my friends came, She often explains to chil- The opening of a Roma li- it was fun and I was happy.” dren that their living conditions brary “Trifun Dimic” in the po- Birthday cake, cookies, are not their result, but the re- orest settlement in Vojvodina, juice and birthday invitations sult of their parents. Every day Sangaj, led to the fulfillment of were prepared by the librarian she sets her own example to one of the goals - giving Roma and the educator. Dragana says prove them that success can be children a quiet corner and an that celebration of children’s achieved even in the hardest opportunity to try to fulfill their birthdays is extremely signifi- conditions. The most important dreams with the help of the so- cant for their socialization. is the goal, she says. cial community and employees “We did that for many re- Dragana: “If we live in dif- in the library. asons. We were extremely sorry ficult living conditions as chil- that his birthday passed unno- dren, it doesn’t mean that we Nevena Vrtulek ticed ten days ago and that no will live like that always. In or- one congratulated him; he himself didn’t know and neither did Ten-year old Marko Dimovic lives with his father in premises we. We found out by accident. of an old sport club. He attends fourth grade of the Elementary We called a few of his friends; School “Veljko Vlahovic“, he is an excellent student and spends actually he called them and we all his free time in the library. He says that he likes working on the knew that this would have per- computer best, because he does not have one at home. That is why manent effect - that children he can’t wait for a school bell to ring at the end of a final class so would start accepting him in a that he can come to the library. Marko: “I love coming here because all children come here different way. He was always and I love learning something new, read and hang out with friends, left out and everybody noticed because this library is different and its librarians are better. Here I that he lacked discipline, which do my homework and we play on the computer, we draw and so- was probably his way of sho- metimes make folders. wing dissatisfaction. So chil- Marko’s dad Dragan Dimovic is unemployed and has diffi- dren started noticing him and culties earning money to survive. He is more than satisfied with appreciating him as an equal. library’s work and the fact that his son can spend a high-quality afternoon while learning lots of things, just like his peers in the city. Librarian Dragana knows Dragan Dimovic: “Since I live alone with Marko and the chil- that children who spend time dren attend school in the morning, Marko spends most of his after- in the library do not have many noons in the library. And from a social point of view, I don’t have to light a fire in the winter until he comes home, because he spends his moments of happiness and tha- time in the library. Now, what else do I have from it? It means a lot t’s why she treasures every smi- to me that Dragana submitted my documents which she asked me le she gets from them. to take out for the school equipment to the Roma Inclusion Office. Dragana:”This job is very Laura is thirteen and she attends the seventh grade. She says painful, extremely responsible, that poverty does not prevent her from getting straight As. because we have twenty chil- Laura: “I come here because I get help in studying, I do my dren here every day, particular- homework more quickly and I make progress in school. We read ly because these children have books and carry out educational workshops. I have always been an problems with discipline... But excellent student, but now I am better and more sociable in school. it is very nice to know that I can I am interested in the Roma language and books; I ask those who help people from this position speak Roma, if I need any help. and when I do something for a

The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina 17 BRIEFLY FROM A CONFERENCE OF THE COUNCIL FOR ROMA INTEGRATION

At the conference of the Co- the previous period and pointed posal, which is a partner on this uncil for Roma Integration in to the problems in the conduc- project. The leader of the project AP Vojvodina, which was held tion of the Measures of Affirma- is the Provincial Government, in September, Council’s presi- tive Action. i.e. Secretariat for Education, dent Petar Nikolic pointed to a Director Jovanovic sugge- Administration and National problem that Roma university sted that the Council of Roma Communities. She presented to students faced in student dormitories due to the late application Objective and tasks of of Measures of affirmative ac- the Council are: tion for the enrollment of stu- - to propose measures dents of Roma nationality on the and activities to the Govern- first year of studies and wrong ment of AP Vojvodina and estimate of the Ministry of Edu- provincial organs of admini- Photo: M. Karadžić cation, which made a decision, stration in order to integrate without previously consulting Roma in the Autonomous National Council of Roma Na- Province of Vojvodina; tional Minority and provincial - to follow, monitor and Roma Inclusion Office, i.e. any- assess measures and activi- one who is directly connected ties in process of Roma in- Director of Roma Inclusion Office tegration in AP Vojvodina, with application of Measures of Duško Jovanović affirmative action, to fund 2% which are conducted by the Government of Vojvodina of Roma students from the state and provincial organs of ad- budget, which proved inadequ- Integration, together with the ministration, ate. A significantly larger -num Office, should organize a con- - to establish cooperation ber of Roma applied for the open ference which representatives with the National Council of competition. of the Ministry of Education, Roma National Minority; And finally, when the Roma Provincial Secretariat for Edu- - to propose meetings in community succeeded in educa- cation, Administration and Na- order to find best solutions in tional integration and encoura- tional Communities, rector of process of Roma integration ging a larger number of its young the University of Novi Sad and in AP Vojvodina; people to enroll on colleges and representatives of colleges in - to monitor the realiza- faculties, the state says – we did Vojvodina would attend. The tion of process of Roma inte- not plan such a large number of conference would include a pu- gration in AP Vojvodina you. blic discussion on the Measures A number of those who of Affirmative Action and - pro succeeded in enrolling, because blems in their conduction. the audience the results the stu- they are a part of those 2%, still The Council unanimously dents who receive scholarships did not receive the Decision on accepted this proposal and active achieved through this project enrollment, which is the reason participation in the organization and she emphasized that out of why they lost the opportunity to of this conference in Vojvodina. 400 students almost half of them apply for accommodation in stu- The meeting was also atten- had very good and excellent gra- dent dormitories. ded by Dragana Dimitrov, di- des, which shows that Roma stu- The conference was atten- rector of program “Inclusion of dents should be supported and ded by Dusko Jovanovic, direc- Children of Roma Nationality in the results will certainly follow. tor of the Roma Inclusion Office High Schools In AP Vojvodina”, She also pointed to difficulties of APV, who submitted a report who became in charge of this the project team faced and asked about the work of the Office in program after the Council’s pro- for logistic support of the Coun- cil.

18 The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina The conference included a discussion about the question of safety in the north of Vojvodina, more precisely in the municipality of Kanjiza, as well as in the municipality of Mali Idjos. Ste- van Nikolic from Subotica pointed to frequent thefts and house burglaries in Horgos which Roma were usually accused of. He then asked the Council for Roma Integration and the Offi- ce to act immediately. Director Jovanovic said that he attended a meeting of citizens of Horgos, which was organized by the lo- Photo: M. Karadžić cal community and confirmed Stevan Nikolić that Roma were unfairly accused municipality of Kanjiza, where Roma settlements would come of those crimes. representatives of the munici- to discuss problems. He informed the Council pality, chief of police station, President of the Council that the Office started an - ini representatives of municipal sa- gave tasks to Council’s members tiative of holding meetings in fety structures, as well as repre- and concluded the meeting. local communities of Horgos sentatives of other institutions, and Martonos organized by the organizations and people from Dragana Dimitrov

Council for Roma Integration in AP Vojvodina was formed in 2005 by the Government of AP Vojvo- dina (the Executive Council APV). The Council, as a temporary working body, has a president, deputy and nine members. The Council’s president is Petar Nikolic and Romeo Mihajlovic is his deputy. Nine members are members of Roma national community, who show extraordinary results in the improvement of the position of Roma national community, but also great knowledge and experience when it comes to ways of solving important issues of Roma community. Photo: M. Karadžić During the meeting

The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina 19 Roma from Europe THE STATUS OF ROMA IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA UNTIL 1989

1. Introduction is to be noted that it also brought post-war development of the the positives. These were mainly bulk of Romany population in For the first time after- Fe related to the emphasis on elimi- this respect can be described as a bruary 1948 Romanies become nating of illiteracy and impro- process of the loss of culture, so- de jure equal members of so- ving the qualification of Roma- cial and moral retardation. The ciety. It was guaranteed by the nies as well as providing them change of state access in relation Constitution of 9th May from commonly inaccessible health to Romanies was manifested it- 1948. However, the low socio- and social care. Despite of this, self, but as a matter of priority -economic level of a substantial however, it is necessary to note it was not the current result of part of Romanies represented for that just the attitude of the state reflection of these policies. That the state and its government not system in the years 1948 – 1989 change became a consequence only economic, but mainly ide- to so-called Romany issue can of changes in the ideological lo- ological problem. This procla- be considered as one of the main oking at function of the state and imed social equality of citizens reasons for the current socio- its citizens.” From the second enshrined in the Constitution -economic status of Romanies, half of the fifties, the authori- and their real and planned living their low ethnic self identifica- ties begin to intensively discuss standard was in sharp contrast tion, and not least a high degree how to solve the so-called Gyp- with the actual achieved level of of social distancing of non-Ro- sy issue to the future. There are Romany population. In the pe- ma majority from Romany mi- consulted two radically different riod 1948 – 1989 the civil servi- nority. According to ethnologi- approaches: ethnic and assimila- ce attempted to solve this discre- sts Arne B. Man, A. Jurová and tion. Regime of that time tried to pancy with several concepts for others „right government policy rearrange the society and chan- which it was common, that the accenting the material assistance ge its natural stratification, thus, State took Romanies under your to Romanies, at the same time the ethnic identity of Romanies patronage and excluded from the ignoring the” human dimension began to deny and the policy of cooperation those, whom these „(identity, desires, ideas about social assimilation was adop- solutions should be allocated, life, value systems, a reflection ted. The issue connected with that is Romanies themselves. of coexistence with the majority the identification of Romanies, Just during this period there was population), caused the gradual which arose just in relation to re- a great moral devastation of so- devastation of their positive con- fusal of ethnic acceptance, resul- vereign Romany ethnic group. sciousness, the loss of personal ted in the formulation „person of 2. Theoretical definition of the motivation, apathy. The whole Gypsy origin, Gypsy”. So much problem The basis for the wrong pro- cedure was deliberate classifi- cation of Romanies as members of social, to be more precise socio-pathological group of inha- bitants, not ethnic group which has the right to grow and develop their specificities. The cultural and ethnic specificities were then considered to be undesira- ble manifestations of retardation. Assimilative pressure caused considerable damage, but, on the other hand, the objectivity

20 The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina Roma from Europe criticism of the discriminatory Act of wandering Gypsies, however, remained in force and continued up to 1950. In March 1952 the Commission of the In- terior issued a directive on mo- dification the circumstances of persons of Gypsy origin, which is requested and assumed assimilation of Romany population not by sanction means, but the solution of their employment, education, provision of housing, re-education through an action on the change in their traditio- nal way of life. The responsibility for implementation of these guidelines was in the hands of els of nomadic chariots, Roma- it was also an unworkable and national committees. There were nies were obliged to settle where absurd for lack of jobs and ho- no objective or subjective right they have just been caught and using opportunities in local con- conditions to fulfil the expected municipalities were required to ditions. As a matter of fact, the intentions to remove the social provide them an alternative ac- inventory spaces should become and cultural backwardness of commodation. The act was very a permanent place of residence Romanies by the universal help insensitively affected mainly of Romany family and national of the state and in particular by Valachian (Olachian) Romanies. committees were required to of- the re-education accompanied The nomadic life formed part fer them several options for ho- with the permanent denial of ac- of their traditions and suddenly using and job prospects, which ceptance of their ethnic identity. they were forced to change their could not be absolutely possible On the one hand, the continuing way of life forever. It is sure that at that time. Although the con- of discrimination against Roma- today we are facing the consequ- cept of assimilation has failed, ny ethnic, although not open and ences of that forced migration, many Romanies have managed obvious, on the other hand, in because the enforced settlement to break out of a backward way many ways significant economic realized through the coercion ac- of life, to gain a professional qu- and social preference of this eth- ted for that matter as a crimino- alification, or to solve their ho- nic group provoked the aversion genic factor. In terms of theory using problem. The persistence of the majority population. As and political practice of the for- of the problematic situation of a consequence of accumulated mer political system the leveling Romanies and then, when no- and unresolved problems, when of social differences up to egali- madism has already been dispo- in practice as in a vicious circle tarianism was logic. It was based sed, led since the early sixties to the social, health, educational, on the fact the very nature of this considerations on the new con- housing and other problems of system. Not calling Romanies to ception. Problem that could not Romanies were accumulated, social advancement should the- be solved in the framework of was the release of the act on per- refore be considered as discri- previously adopted legislative manent settlement of itinerant mination. Toleration of nomadic changes of Romany issue, was persons, which was approved by life would mean the toleration of the high share of Romany po- the Parliament in October 1958 extreme poverty and according pulation in the region of Eastern under № 74. The Act was imple- to the rest of society the undigni- Slovakia. mented in 1959 by police opera- fied or even unfair way of life. tions similar to raids carried out This act was not only against prof. dr Vladimír Gecelovský in previous periods. From day to fundamental rights of freedom Source: authors archive day it had to be dismantled whe- of movement and residence, but

The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina 21 Social care ANALYSIS OF ACTIVITIES OF CENTERS FOR SOCIAL WORK IN AP VOJVODINA IN THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN WITH BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS

SUMMARY The subject of this paper is an analysis of a current practice of centers for social work on the territory of AP Vojvodina in working with children and minors with behavioral problems and in conflict with law. The analysis presents results of research conducted in order to gain insight into the state of practice, needs and problems of centers for social work in this area, as well as recommendations for improvement of work. The research refers to the period 2009-2011 and it includes a few areas: expertise of employees of centers for working with minors and their needs for professional training, project engagement of centers, activities and services, cooperation in the local community, difficulties that centers’ experts face in this area, as well as their recommendations for the improvement of the quality of work. The analysis showed that there is a continuous increase of children with antisocial behavior and conflict with law in the given three-year period which was incorporated in the research. Moreover, it showed that the expertise of centers’ employees was not satisfactory, thus leading to conspicuous need for professional training in the entire process of work – from prevention to work with children and minors who already manifest behavioral problems. It was also showed that a relatively small number of centers was engaged in projects in this area in previous years, that approximately only one third of local self-governments in APV currently funds activities/services intended for this target group and that there is a solid cooperation of centers with actors in this process at the level of local communities. Key words: center for social work, minors with antisocial behavior and conflict with law, AP Vo- jvodina Marina Vukotic, associate for research Sanja Grmusa, associate for social protection and expert activities Provincial Institute for Social Protection, Novi Sad

INTRODUCTION with law, analysis of movement Methodology of the number of children users Protection of children and of centers in a three-year period A questionnaire was created minors with behavioral problems (from 2009 to 2011), as well as for the purposes of research. It is an all-inclusive process which the range and types of the impo- was distributed electronically to includes more participants among sed penalties. A research has been addresses of 41 centers for social whom the center for social work carried out for the purposes of work on the territory of AP Vojvo- has a significant role at the local analysis, whose goal was to acqu- dina. 38 centers submitted filled- level. Data show that the number ire an insight into the current prac- -out questionnaires, which consti- of children and minors with beha- tice, needs and problems that cen- tutes 93% of the total number of vioral problems has been continu- ters face, as a basis for defining questionnaires sent. In addition to ously increasing during previous recommendations for the promo- the application of the questionna- years, which resulted in a greater tion of work. The research was ire, an analysis of annual reports engagement of the center for so- directed towards the collection about the activities of centers for cial work as an organ of custody of data from the following areas: social work was carried out, in or- in the work with this target group. qualifications of professionals for der to obtain insight into the num- At the same time the center has to work with minors and their need ber and structure of children with work permanently on the promo- for professional training, project antisocial behavior and conflicts tion of its own capacities. engagement of centers, activities with law, as well as the range and The subject of this paper is and services, cooperation in the types of the imposed penalties on the analysis of the current practice local community, difficulties cen- minors in the given period. of centers for social work on the ters’ experts face in this area, as territory of AP Vojvodina in the well as their recommendations for Content area of protection of children with the promotion of cooperation and The first part includes the antisocial behavior and conflicts quality of work. analysis of roles of the center for

22 The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina Social care social work in work with this tar- and their families, working on the and behavior, attends meetings of get group, while the second part development of volunteer capaci- the board for minors and the main shows results of the analysis of ties in the communities and initia- search in the criminal process aga- annual reports about the work of ting campaigns directed towards inst a minor offender, informs the centers and the research conduc- the strengthening of civil aware- court in charge of the conduction ted. The first part will be publi- ness and responsibility. Of course, of institutionalized educational shed in this issue and the second the engagement of other systems measure and organ of interior af- part will follow in the next. is also important in the area of fairs when the implementation of prevention: healthcare, education, measures cannot start or continue 1. PART ROLE OF CENTER police, justice, organization of ci- due to minor’s rejection or escape, FOR SOCIAL WORK IN THE vil society and other. Thus, deve- takes care of the implementation PROTECTION OF CHIL- lopment of partnership with these of educational measures of special DREN AND MINORS WITH systems at the local level is gre- obligations, checks the implemen- BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS atly significant. tation of educational measures of AND CONFLICTS WITH increased supervision by parents LAW The role of centers for social or guardians and provides help Center for social work as a work is very important for wor- in the implementation of help, part of the system of social pro- king with children and minors checks the implementation of tection has an important role at the who already manifested delinqu- educational measures of increased local level in the area of work with ent behavior, especially when it supervision in other family and children and minors with beha- comes to children up to 14 years provides help for the family whe- vioral problems and conflicts with of age (not criminally responsi- re a minor is placed, implements law. This role is reflected in the ble), who are under the care of this educational measure of increased prevention, i.e. prevention of oc- service. supervision by guardian organ by currence of such problems, on one taking care of minor’s education, hand, and reacting to the already Regulations on organization, his/her employment, separating manifested behavioral problem. normatives and standards of work him/her from the environment In this line of work center of centers for social work determi- that has a detrimental influence for social work acts in accordan- ne the activities that the center for on him/her, special treatment and ce with Law on social protection, social work performs in public ju- arranging his/her circumstances, Family Law, Regulations on or- risdiction: cooperates with the pu- takes care of the implementation ganization, normatives and stan- blic prosecutor or judge for minors of educational measures of incre- dards of work of centers for social when choosing and applying edu- ased supervision with compulsory work*, Law on minor offenders cational requests, conducts me- extended stay in the institution and criminal-legal protection of diation between a minor offender for education of minors, submits minors and Regulations on con- and a victim of offence, files -re to the court and public prosecutor duction of educational measures port about submitting educational for minors a report on the course of special obligations. request to the public prosecutor or of implementation of educational judge for minors, attends the ac- measures, proposes to the court Preventive role of center for tivities in the preparatory process the decision about the costs of social work consists in early di- against the minor offender, if ap- implementation of educational scovering of children and minors proved by the court (interrogating measures and performs other ac- who are at risk of manifesting be- the minor offender and other sub- tivities defined by the law. havioral problems, in following jects), writes proposals and asks Moreover, center for social and analyzing needs and problems questions to subjects being inter- work provides help in reintegra- of this target group in their local rogated, presents its opinion to the tion of minors, after the imple- community, initiating the deve- court dealing with a criminal pro- mentation of institutionalized me- lopment of missing services, de- cedure against a minor, regarding asures and penalty of a prison for veloping inter-sector partnership facts related to the minor’s age, minors. and preventive programs which facts necessary for the evaluation should contribute to the satisfac- of his/her maturity, examines the environment the minor lives in * „Sl. glasnik RS“ br. 59/2008 i 37/2010) tion of needs of children who are u članu 4 stav 2. alineje 7-20 at risk or in conflicts with the law and other circumstances which are important for his/her personality

The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina 23 Health HOW TO BEAT AN ENEMY – DIABETES?

The number of diabetics is family anamnesis, increased blo- physical activity and diet, then we rapidly growing and according od pressure, increased blood su- must not neglect them. In most to estimates, this number will gar level, obesity, inadequate diet cases, these two things can regu- rise to more than 550 million in and inadequate physical activity, late blood sugar levels without twenty-year time. The biggest rise especially in combination with 45 using medications. Regular sugar of diabetics is expected in deve- plus age. It can be developed in control is necessary. If the physi- loping countries. According to women who had pregnancy issu- cal activity and diet do not pro- estimates of the International Fe- es related to reduced tolerance to duce desired effect after a certain deration for Diabetes, about 370 glucose or gestational diabetes. period of time, doctor can also million people suffer from this introduce medications, which can disease. There are more than 600 How to recognize diabetes also reduce sugar levels. Insulin is thousand diabetics registered on Type II? introduced as a last measure. the territory of Serbia, of which Symptoms include increased Diet 280 thousand are in AP Vojvodi- need for liquids, frequent urina- na and 50 thousand in the city of tion, hunger, and disorder in nerve The diet that people who Novi Sad. conduction, which is manifested suffer from diabetes type II must Type I and Type II as tingling sensation, numbness, follow is not different from a burning sensation in fingers or on diet of healthy people, including Diabetes Type I represents a skin. These symptoms are not ty- several rules that must receive complete inability to generate in- pical of this disease only, so it is necessary attention. Doctor will sulin. It is commonly caused by best to pay attention to risk fac- prescribe three main courses and damage of certain cells of pancre- tors and regularly control blood three snacks during one day. Pa- as. Type II is the cells’ resistance sugar level during regular doctor tients must adhere to this, in order to pancreas effect. Type I is usual- appointments. to maintain the sugar level con- ly hereditary and it cannot be pre- sistent. Of course, the choice of vented, unlike diabetes Type II. Strictly follow doctor’s groceries is extremely important. instructions! What is the most frequent cau- Fresh fruit and vegetables se of diabetes Type II? After the diagnosis has been are obligatory established, it is important to The risks for the development strictly follow doctors’ instruc- All vegetables can be con- of diabetes Type II are primarily tions. If those instructions include sumed, but as far as fruit is concerned, it is necessary to restrict the consumption of grapes, date palms, figs and watermelons. Fresh groceries are important due to the increased need for vi- tamins. Fruit, as a source of vi- tamins, protects from unwanted effect of increased sugar level. It is necessary to have a varied diet.

Carbohydrates should not be left out The same ratio is retained, just like with healthy persons; however, sugar, sweets, white flour (white bread and pasta) and rice must be avoided. All of these have their own replacements.

24 The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina Health

“Protect Our Future” World Diabetes Day, 14th November, was celebrated in the Assembly of AP Vojvodina. The host of this year’s convention was the vice-president of the provincial Assembly, who is in charge of the area of healthcare, Professor Dr. Branislava Belic. The ceremony was attended by assistant to provincial secretary for healthcare Dr. Danijela Stankovic, representatives of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Serbia, Novi Sad City Administration of Healthcare, Association of Vojvodina Societies for Fight against Diabetes, numerous renowned doctors and diabetics. The vice-president of the Assembly of AP Vojvodina, Professor Dr. Branislava Belic addressed the audience and expressed her hope that every future celebration of the World Diabetes Day will go in a better atmosphere – with a smaller number of new patients and less problems which diabetics encounter. Assistant to provincial secretary for healthcare Dr. Danijela Stan- kovic said that the very fact that there is a great number of patients suggests that diabetes has a special place in the Vojvodina’s healthcare policy. Under a slogan “Protect Our Future”, campaign of the World Diabetes Day in 2012 cele- brates the fourth anniversary since the five-year focus on the significance of education about diabetes and its prevention. Considering that the data on the number of diabetics are so alarming that it is possible to say that it is reaching epidemic proportions worldwide, it is important to appeal to population’s awareness in order to achieve the desired results of the campaign which are given in three crucial messages: - Conduct continuous education for the widest population; - Influence the change of lifestyle and bad life habits, which will have an effect on the entire health of the population; - Influence the reduction of discrimination against diabetics and their marked status in the society. be low-fat: chicken, turkey, veal, low-fat beef and north-sea fish. Pork is strictly forbidden. No food should be fried – everything must be boiled. Frying is allowed only in Teflon pans with little oil, while deep-frying is forbidden. Roasting is also allowed. Browned flour is also forbidden and thickening is done with mashed potato or in any other su- itable way. Be careful with salt and spices Food should not contain too much salt, because that is one of the risks of high blood pressure, which, together with diabetes, can Instead of sweets, fresh fruit sho- white rice which is replaced with cause serious disorders. Spices uld be consumed, and honey and brown rice. should also be used moderately. natural sweeteners (e.g. Sorbitol) should be used for sweetening Use of fat is prohibited groceries. White flour is repla- It is replaced with different Zita Farkaš ced with whole wheat flour and types of oil (sunflower, olive, se- its products. The same applies to same and linen oil). Meat must

The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina 25 NGO CITIZEN ASSOCIATION “MULTICULTURAL BANAT”

tion promoted Roma culture through lectures he held in elementary schools and high schools. As an answer to the question what poses a problem in work, Stojkov answered: “Problems are numerous and evident wherever Roma are present. The majority na-

Photo: from association archive tion recognizes them very well, but does nothing to solve them. Action plans for the education Citizen association “Mul- stant, he said that he can best of Roma have not been adop- ticultural Banat” from Kikinda recognize a problem that Roma ted yet, even though I propo- was founded in 2004 as a non- children have in education and sed them through the Strategy -governmental and unprofitable try to solve it with its organiza- of Local Sustainable Develop- association. The association tion. ment of Kikinda.” was created in order to prese- He has helped his people Stojkov is unsatisfied with rve Roma national identity and solve housing problems, mostly the work of other NGOs, as respect human and minority in legalization of their illegally well as with the coordinator for rights in education, informing built buildings. Roma issues: “Roma organiza- and culture. The association’s Stojkov emphasized that tions do not have enough ca- goals: public advocacy for the children’s health was the most pacity and are not sufficiently preservation of language, cultu- important and that he tried to familiar with the work of NGO re and education of members of establish cooperation with he- sector; they were founded for this national community, edu- alth mediators; however, they their own purposes and not for cation of citizens and especially did not respond, even though it goals that were registered in children and young adults, or- was truly necessary. their statutes.” ganization of activities and se- He also said that children’s Coordinators in local self- minars, workshops and forums rights were violated several ti- -governments are inadequately about the respect of human and mes, which made him take ac- professional and are very gene- minority rights and other. tion to solve those problems in ral in their work and, due to po- “Multicultural Banat” has cooperation with parents. “The- litical affiliation, their hands are so far been a leader of many re were several such problems tied and they cannot succeed in projects which served Roma in the elementary school, but I solving all problems that need people. wouldn’t like to talk publicly to be solved. Most coordinators The association’s president about it. There are still some in Vojvodina have their own Aleksandar Stojkov did not hide problems and we are preparing NGOs, so they do not cooperate his great experience in working to report some of them. The with other organizations, which with his own people and said majority of them are related creates a fight for leadership in that there was no area in which to violence against Roma chil- the local community and opens his association was not active dren, but it still remains to be the possibility for other organs and tried to make progress. determined whether or not they of local self-government to ma- Considering that he is em- were based on nationality.“ nipulate with Roma organiza- ployed as a pedagogical assi- President of this associations, because they do not hold

26 The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina NGO

Stojkov is unsatisfied with the work of other NGOs, as well as with the coordinator for Roma issues: “Roma organizations do not have enough capacity and are not sufficiently familiar with the work of NGO sector; they were founded for their own purposes and not for goals there were registered in their statutes.” Coordinators in local self-governments are inadequately professional and are very general in their work and, due to political affiliation, their hands are tied and they cannot succeed in solving all problems that need to be solved. Most coordinators in Vojvodina have their own NGOs, so they do not cooperate with other organizations, which creates a fight for leadership in the local community and opens the possibility for other organs of local self-government to manipulate with Roma organizations, because they do not hold together and each does what it wants since there is not cooperation. “No one solves the problems, because no institution supports us. We have to do everything ourselves. The law is clear, but nothing is done in practice and no one cares about it. When Roma’s rights are violated, in order to conduct the law and accuse someone… It is all very difficult…”

together and each does what it “Members of Roma popu- with coordinators from those wants since there is no coope- lation know me very well and I municipalities, usually from ration. help them 24 hours a day, whe- Zrenjanin and sometimes Novi “No one solves the pro- never they call and ask for help, Sad and Subotica. Usually pa- blems, because no institution whether it’s 6 in the morning or rents of Roma children who are supports us. We have to do 11 at night, so you do not have my students come to see me. They come to school, because they know my working hours, so I help them as a pedagogue and a teacher and as a represen- tative of my association. Once a month I go to the settlement and sometimes several times a month, if necessary.” Proud on all projects which have been realized so far, because the results can be seen easily, Stojkov emphasizes that he is particularly pleased when a married Roma decides to go to school and finish high school or faculty. That shows that there

Photo: from association archive should be no obstacles to stop us in the process of education. “I am proud that I was able to help many people finish everything ourselves. The law working hours when you have school, and I still do it and al- is clear, but nothing is done in this kind of job. The work mo- ways will.” practice and no one cares about stly consists in printing of requ- On behalf of his associa- it. When Roma’s rights are vio- ests, complaints and certifica- tion, Aleksandar Stojkov says lated, in order to conduct the tes for school, filling of forms, that Roma should agree and law and accuse someone… It is acquisition of documents neces- that their strength lies in con- all very difficult…” sary for social welfare, acquisi- cord. We asked if the association tion of birth certificates, espe- was active even when it did not cially for those who were born realize any projects. Stojkov in another municipality, which Dragana Dimitrov said: I manage to do by cooperating

The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina 27 Culture “EYES OF PLAIN”

Institute for Gender Equality of AP Vojvodina presented the second revised edition of contemporary poetry of Vojvodina women poets called “Eyes of Plain” on Thursday, November 15th in the Ceremonial Hall of the Government of AP Vojvodina.

The book was discussed Vojvodina women poets betwe- (Wind is blowing from Mora- by the compilation’s editor and en a book’s covers”. va), a song of Bunjevci from poet, Olivera Sijacki and direc- Backa (Let’s sing, let the whole tor of Institute for Gender Equ- Magic power of poetry room moan), a song of Danu- ality, Vesna Sijacki. After that, Editor of the anthology be Germans from Backa (Auf authors who attended the book Olivera Sijacki emphasized the der schwabische Eisenbahne), promotion presented and reci- magic power of poetry at the a song of native Serbs from ted their verses to the audience. beginning, saying that it is “the Backa (I sold my earrings) and best connection between people a song of Vlachs from Serbia Affirmation of Vojvodina (Mandra mea). Ana Zornjan women poets and their emotions” and as such it is “her greatest love”. performed a song of Slovaks Vesna Sijacki was the first “In the fertile Vojvodina from Backa, Tej noci so mi pri- who addressed the audience. plain where everything grows, snilo. She emphasized several re- poetry is not an exception. I Ergensko kolo could also asons why the Institute decided wanted to save that rich Vojvo- be heard, performed by accor- to print this anthology. As the dina poetic treasury from wa- dionist duo, as well as Subotic- first reason, she gave the insti- sting and oblivion. This antho- ko kolo performed by a duo of tutions’ responsibility to make logy is my present to all people an accordionist and tamboura the artistic creativity of Vojvo- who enjoy poetry and it is, at ensemble. dina poets, who write in diffe- the same time, the fruit of my rent languages, under various own enjoyment.” The first edition of this influences, more visible. book, published in 1998, in- Music and poetry in a duo “This anthology is a public cluded the poems of 63 wo- and official acknowledgement The third part of the book men poets and 50 years of for poetic creativity of Vojvo- promotion included ethno mu- their creativity. Unfortunate- ly, most of it was burnt in a dina women, because their en- sic and poetry in a duo. Poets deavor is not at all easy and fire in 2000, which happened recited their verses, while the at the Novi Sad Open Univer- simple. In addition to poems, breaks between the recitals in- sity. the anthology includes poets’ cluded the performances of The second edition is re- biographies, which are impres- university students of ethno- vised and expanded with po- sive in both professional and musicology at the Academy of ems of 58 women poets. private way and represent all Arts in Novi Sad, in class of their faces and roles”, director Professor Dr. Nica Fracila. The of the Institute said alluding to concert was prepared by Vesna the title of the recently promo- Ivkov, MA, teaching assistant Pair dance from Vojvodina, ted biography of a renowned Vesna Karin and demonstrator Gypsy Girl was performed by drama artist, Mira Banjac. Vladimir Dabic. Martina Karin, Goran Milosev According to Vesna Sijac- Colorfulness and diversity and Aleksadra Aleksandrovic, ki, the anthology represents a brought by the anthology were also accompanied by accordio- reward for poets’ efforts, but followed by the concert. nist duo. also editor’s efforts, because Female music band perfor- “she did her best to gather all med a song from central Serbia D.J.

28 The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina Culture Photo: M. Karadžić

The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina 29 Culture

Roma voice in anthology

The anthology Eyes of Plain included a poem Night and Day by poet Maja Familic, which was published in her last collection of poems Jar of Hopes- Khoro azurcarimasko, a bilingual Serbian-Roma edition. Her poem represents a voice of Roma culture and tradition in this anthology.

Words of Maja Familic “Language is culture and culture is language. Having left their homeland India, the Roma were forced to be well-acquain- ted with the cultures of all non-Roma nations they lived with for Photo: M. Karadžić several millennia around the world. Roma nation has a clear mark of Indo-European climate Poet Maja Familic with anthology “Eyes of Plain” above their facial features and I did not choose accidentally and, being artistic, graphically illustrated the character of a Hindu Night and Day woman for the front page of my collection of poems “Jar of Ho- pes - Khoro Azucarimasko”. After a thousand years, Using your mother tongue is a basic human right, because I return with the footsteps you thus contribute to its development. Language is a means Of my ancestors. which serves as a basis of social living. Roma language is lag- I am welcomed by the sound ging behind as far as standardization is concerned, but is has a Of forged strings priceless value - national, cultural and historical significance. And there in the shoal of pond Thus, the state authority should protect the preservation of the grass Roma language as a cultural good. A shadow of humiliation is Without writing, Roma cannot create national, collective withered. and cultural integration, which is why it is very important to Could it still be there?! hear Roma voice in the anthology of women poets in the Cere- monial Hall of the Government of Vojvodina in Novi Sad. Where is the humanity of a The anthology “Eyes of Plain” is a testimony of public and frosted morning official acknowledgment for my poetic and cultural contribution That breaks the petals Of Magnolia just blossomed? to Roma population.” A little girl collects them With a spring zephyr And makes – a new flower.

Buxom in youth She is like – an old woman.

The bells weep…

Are we still not human? Is there still A demon rising from the skull And dividing us on voids?

On night and day... Photo: M. Karadžić

Poet Maja Familic recites her verses at the book promotion

30 The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina Successfull Roma

Stanko Petrovic, handball player WITH ALL HIS HEART ON THE GOAL Even as a child he could see himself in sports. Back then he was a little bit of a football player, a little bit of a karate kid. When he was twelve years old, he learned about handball at the sports classes. And he fell in love with this sport. Although he had the predisposition to play back , on his first training his friends from the club convinced him to stand at the goal. Stanko Petrovic still stands at the goal defending the colors of handball club “Metalac” from Futog. According to Stanko, his liking for this sport was born on his first training, and it quickly grew to true love, which became stronger during years.

When he finished high school, he came to Novi Sad. Since he had Parents and liberal approach enrolled on a school which lasted to upbringing for three years, his choice of higher education was limited. When he “Even when I was a was supposed to enroll on Higher child, my parents would School of Professional Business treat me as an adult, as a Studies, he realized that it was not true person. They respected for him after all, that he could not my choices and my opinion. see himself in it. Together we would decide “I had already applied and about everything, taking paid the cost of taking the entrance into consideration good and exam, but then something changed bad sides of my options. I in me. I called my parents and am very grateful to them for told them that I wasn’t fit for it, that, because on one side, that sport was my only love. My they taught me to express

Photo: M. Karadžić parents supported me. I found a my opinion freely, but also to High School of Traffic in Zemun respect opinions of others and Silver medal as lodestar with the help of my old school in their advice.” Even as a member of cadet Zrenjanin. There I finished the fourth year. When I came back to When he was about to finish team “Radnicki” from Jasa Tomic, his obligations at the fourth year of my hometown, I started training he was invited to be on a wider school, he came back to Novi Sad for the senior team of “Radnicki”. list of the national team of Serbia. for the preparations for the enroll- My biggest wish was to play for When he was seventeen at the ment on the Faculty of Sport and the first team from my hometown. tournament in Hungary, he won the Physical Education in Novi Sad. I had the complete support of my second place as a member of the “At the preparations I met the coach for my irregular school national team, having lost from the current assistant coach of handball Hungarian team in the finals. attendance and that meant a lot to club Vojvodina Vladimir Cvijan, “That medal was not only my me.” who was then a coach of Mili- first, but my biggest success. It encouraged me in those moments when my will was not strong Camp won – love won enough. It was my motivation and lodestar. I would often say that its Handball camp “Let’s grow up” is one of well-known camps silver shine made me lucky.” for young athletes, not just in our country, but in Europe too. For five years Stanko would choose camp between summer Education and sport, holiday at the seaside and sports camp. He would go there with a hand by hand smile and would come back with a smile, not caring about hot tem- Having finished elementary peratures which are not exactly ideal training conditions. school, he enrolled on the High His choosing camp, instead of sea, fun and rest, is a clear proof School of Traffic in Zrenjanin. He of his great love for this sport. Besides great sports experiences, spent one year defending the goal the camp brought him friendships, which take a special place in his of Zrenjanin’s “Proleter”. heart.

The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina 31 Successfull Roma

Choosing healthy life

“Sport is a choice of healthy life. Youth often brings bad choices. Alcohol and drugs are becoming widespread nowadays. So, sport is a way for young people to stay in the right track. They develop their body in the right way, but also their mental abilities; it encourages team spirit and socialization.”

cioner from Klisa and teaching Club “Metalac” where Stanko assistant at the subject Handball at still plays managed to enter the the Faculty of Sport and Physical First Federal League of Serbia. Education. He recognized me from This club has been playing in that the matches in the previous period league for half a year and soon it and talked to me about my sports will go on a break it deserves. career. I told him then that I would stay in Novi Sad and continue Trainer of professor? playing handball, if everything As far as his future plans are went well with the enrollment on

concerned, even though handball Photo: from S. Petrović archive the faculty. Luckily, I enrolled on is his biggest love, Stanko puts the faculty I wanted and became a At Difovijada in Sokobanja education and graduating in the student funded by the state budget. first place. Now he is at the fourth After the enrollment, I met with a greater challenge for me. The year, majoring in Professor of Cvijan. I made a deal with him and options are equal at the moment. I chose club Milicioner from Klisa. I Physical Education with handball occasionally incline towards one, played for them for one year. After as his main sport. He says that he but then I feel the same about them. that, the club was shut down due to is still not sure whether he would So I am still choosing between financial problems and I went back work as a trainer for adults or chil- those two options.” to Metalac from Futog, which was dren and youth. in the same league as my previous “I am trying to realize which D.J. club.” of those two options would be Energy and strength of Dar- ko Stanic as a role model

Goalkeeper of our country’s handball national team Darko Stanic is one of sports role models of Stanko Petro- vic. “What impresses me most about him is his great energy at the court. Besides, he managed to get back into Stanko Petrovic with Serbian national team on a tournament in Hungary shape after going through hell – failing his doping test. I don’t think that everyone can do that and I think that it takes strong will to do it. That’s why I would single him out. He is not the only sports role model I have. Considering that I watch not only handball, but also other sports, I try to take and adopt good

Photo: from S. Petrović archive things from every successful Handball Club “Metalac” Futog athlete.”

32 The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina