Monthly Periodical of The Roma Inclusion Office The Roma Decade in AP

No. 52, august 2015 Photo of the month: Agreements for the education of Roma elementary school students in the Province Founder and Publisher of the Periodical: The Roma Inclusion Office of the Govern- ment of AP Vojvodina

Editor in Chief: Duško Jovanović

Managing Editor: Aleksandra Mićić

The team: Dragana Rajić Aleksandra Mićić Tijana Čubrilo Ljiljana Maričić

Graphic design Associate: Tatjana Bošković

Correspondents: Ferenc Koso DEAR Coordinators for Roma issues of the AP Vojvodina Ivana Koprivica READER,

Translation into Romani: Nota Bene, Centar za prevođenje i učenje stranih jezika n the August issue you can find two interviews that analyze the results of the Decade of Roma Translation into English: with Vitomir Mihajlović, president of the Nation- Aleksandra Vranić I al Council of Roma and Nenad Ivanišević, presi- Technical Preparation and Printing: dent of the Council for Roma Integration. Lola preduzetništvo, Beograd, www.lolapreduzetnistvo.co.rs We found out about the biggest problems of Roma in the municipality of Ruma from talking to Circulation: the Roma Coordinator. 1000 copies Agreements on financing elementary school Address: students were signed at the Provincial Secretariat Bulevar Mihajla Pupina 25, 21000 Novi Sad for Economy, Employment and Gender Equality Tel: 021/488-17-23 [email protected] with municipalities, and we also present to you www.inkluzijaroma.vojvodina.gov.rs public works of the Secretariat’s Call, implement- ed by an association of Roma in Mokrin, where CIP - Cataloging in Publication The Matica Srpska Library, Novi Sad nine Roma citizens were hired for the works. 323.1 (=214.58)(=497.113) In this issue we bring you the story of the The Decade of Roma in AP Vojvodina: Petrović family from Beška, a single father of Monthly Publication of the Roma Inclusion three sons who does everything in his power to Office / Editor in Chief Duško Jovanović provide a better life for his children. -2011, No. 1 - Novi Sad: The Roma Inclusion We remind you that, thanks to the Research Office of the Government of AP Vojvodina, 2011-.30 cm and Education Center and to the Preschool Teach- er Training College “Mihailo Palov” in Vršac, you Monthly. In Serbian, English and Romani language - In Romani printed in reverse can read our publication in its electronic form at COBISS.SR - ID 261834759 www.rec.org.rs/bilten/.

Your editorial staff Council for Roma Integration

 What are the tasks I must say that I think Interview with of the Council for the that the Decade was suc- Nenad Ivanišević, Improvement of Roma cessful, primarily because State Secretary Position? each result is better than in the Ministry of One of the tasks is to no results. has cer- coordinate activities at the tain results. We will work Labor, Veteran and national level, as repre- on analysis, in detail, all Social Affairs and sentatives of the Council are sectors in order to deter- President of the representatives of relevant mine where the results were Council for Roma ministries, primarily in ac- good. The part that relates cordance with Agenda 2020, to education is the most suc- integration where we have defined ba- cessful and that is the mark sic principles of the Euro- of both the European Com- pean Union and the Strategy mission and us. Some other for Roma Inclusion. In addi- segments have not had good tion, the task of the Coun- results, such as the registra- cil is to, as the only organ in tion of persons to the reg- DECADE the true sense of the word, ister, ie. documents that deal with Roma issues at go through the Center for OF the level of the Republic of Social Work. Of course, we Serbia through activities in have certain issues in hous- SUCCESS ministries that are defined ing and problems will remain Ministry of Health, Ministry until we resolve the issue of of Social Affairs, Ministry of legalization of substandard Economy and the Ministry of Roma settlements. This is Education. The future of the a real problem because the Council is to, in accordance law on the legalization does with EU requirements, and not recognize the legaliza- the needs, define the im- tion of settlements but of portant political figures that objects, but it is important will co-ordinate activities. that we are able to open It will be people from the the question on it with the Council and the ministries Ministry of Construction. and foremost, the Office for We have the support of Mrs. Human and Minority Rights. Tanja Miščević, who is the The Serbian government has chief negotiator, as well as designated Vice-President the Office for the European Zoran Mihajlović as the co- integration and together we ordinator of all activities are involved in problem solv- on the implementation of ing. In this field, GIS helped Roma-related issues in the us a lot on the latest project territory of the Republic of when they made a single da- Serbia. tabase of substandard Roma  Your performance as- settlements and that was sessment of the prior the first time that we had a Decade? record on all the existing lo-

2 Council for Roma Integration

cations. This will be one of State institutions have ment was important for the the basic things in the adop- been very involved because RCs, but some local govern- tion of laws or by-laws that the definition of priorities ments do not recognize the should define the legaliza- defined roles of ministries, need for a coordinator. I tion or housing. therefore the role of the think it is not good because  Are state institutions Ministry of Health through they are essential, primarily involved sufficiently in the health mediators, the for communication of Roma the implementation of Ministry of State Administra- with non-Roma population in the Decade? tion and Local Self-Govern- any of the local governments

3 Council for Roma Integration

and that the “cost” that ex- administration of health  What is it that you ists when hiring a person is mediators, because they are expect from the next much less than the problems still being financed through decade, and what will that arise if that person projects. change for it to be suc- does not exist. In Subotica,  In addition to Serbia, cessful? we have an excellent exam- in which countries has I expect better results ple where the local govern- there been an exten- than the last on, to maybe, ment adopted the budget sion of the Decade? at some point conclude that for financing the activities All Western Balkan coun- high school becomes com- of the RC and that’s great. tries are involved, except for pulsory for all citizens, and We had the establishment Slovenia, as in the previous to increase the number of of the Council for Intereth- Decade, except that Turkey people with secondary edu- nic Relations in the terri- was invited as an observer. cation in accordance with tory of local communities. I  What are the funds Agenda 2020, because this think these are examples to earmarked for its im- is very important. Educa- be followed, and it is there- plementation (from the tion is the fundamental way fore necessary that all local local to the republic out of poverty. If you have government decide on coor- level)? uneducated citizen, regard- dinators who will be dealing What we were suggested less of nationality, they are with Roma issues and will be by the European Commission destined in most cases to Roma. is that Serbia can count on deal with low-paid jobs and,  The Republic of Ser- the amount of 50 000 000 therefore, not be materially bia extended the Dec- euros for quality projects satisfied. ade. Why is it impor- concerning Roma inclusion.  To what extent do you tant? We already have projects for expect support from in- It is important because Roma inclusion through IPA ternational institutions we have good results and we projects through the Minis- for the implementation want to show that Serbia is try of Labor, Veteran and So- of the Decade? Inworking on the integration terviecial: IPA 2013 and IPA 2014 in We already have the sup- w of Roma, not because it is the amount of 1 500 000 eu- port of the European Com- an obligation in the EU ac- ros, but it’s important that mission, shown by a seminar cession process, but because as soon as possible we adopt organized every two years Serbia is an open society and the Strategy, implying aris- and where Mr. Paquet was I think that the integration ing action plans and then we present. So, it is only nec- of all of its citizens who are can define concrete projects essary to define good and not involved in the inclusion and withdraw funds. Now, sustainable projects. It is is necessary, regardless of without a strategic docu- important that we all know their ethnic community or ment and no action plans we what our goal is and then I sexual orientation. For Roma cannot count on resources. think the support of inter- people, the extension of the It will be at the national lev- national institutions will not Decade is of course very im- el, the Strategy aims to take fail. portant. We’ll make sure as much down to the local  In fact, the strategy that more children enroll level, as far as the realiza- could not be imple- in schools, at universities. tion, that we can get to as mented in full measure In addition, we need to in- many people and improve because there were no troduce the system of state their living conditions. funds in the state in-

4 Council for Roma Integration

stitutions. In what way is responsible for the imple- tional organizations. We are will the state be forced mentation of strategies and now solving employment of to plan budget lines for mechanisms for monitoring advisors whose contracts ex- financial strategies? the implementation of the pire together with the Min- Each ministry has a cer- Strategy. I think that the istry of State Administration tain part of its budget, strategy needs to be more and Local Self-Government. which defines the state ac- precise, to know the meas- It is necessary to solve this tivities relating to vulner- urable units for implemen- problem because we have to able groups, particularly tation and to know who is have Roma in our ministry the Roma community. The defined for its implementa- in charge of Roma Inclusion Government will adopt the tion. If we know that, then because no one knows bet- Strategy, and I hope the Re- the strategy will succeed. ter their problems than they publican Assembly as well.  What is the budget do to. Thus, only Roma know We managed for the Deputy allocated to Roma for how their compatriots think Prime Minister to be respon- this and the previous and they give us guidelines sible for coordinating Roma year by ministries? that are very valuable. issues. If the Office for Hu- At the moment we sent  This year, the num- man and Minority Rights, the letters to the ministries, to ber of Roma students Council and the Office for identify resources that will admitted through af- European Integration jointly be dedicated to Roma. We firmative action was embark on the implemen- know that our Ministry pro- again reduced, because tation of the Strategy, the vided almost 3 000 000 euros of the complicated pro- Strategy will not remain just through international pro- cedures for the issuance a dead letter. As president of jects. Also, through affirma- of certificates of nation- the Council, I will do every- tive employment measures ality. What is your com- thing to make it come alive. the National Service provid- ment? Who can deter- For Decade to be more suc- ed funds for Roma. So, those mine whether someone cessful, it was sublimated to are the details for our Min- is Roma or not? Intervieonly four areas, not nine or istry, and for the others we wUnfortunately, my com- eleven, as was proposed. It hope to know in about ten ment is the general state is time that we all realize days. of society, and that is pov- that Roma integration is a  The fact is there are erty. We need to define the common interest. Inclusion not many employed mechanisms that will solve of Roma in Serbian society Roma in the relevant it. I still think that the Na- is not the Roma issue but ministries. Is the Council tional Council is the address the Serb issue, which means prepared to raise this is- that should define measures that Serbian society needs sue because it is evident of positive discrimination. I to respond to the request of that there are a signifi- do not know how we’ll han- the Roma to be integrated cant number of young dle it, perhaps by typing in a into the society. and highly educated central voter register, which  What were the draw- Roma who are jobless? is a measure of people who backs of the old strat- At this point in our min- declare themselves as Roma, egy? istry, we have four advisers but in any case we must in- Drawbacks were that of Roma nationality doing crease the number of Roma it covered many areas, the an excellent job, thanks to students. lack of definition as to who the OSCE and other interna-  Ljiljana Maričić

5 Provincial Government

AGREEMENTS FOR THE EDUCATION OF ROMA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN VOJVODINA SIGNED

ice President of the Pro- thanked the representatives of vincial Government and local governments in our re- Vthe Provincial Secretary gion who are able to recognize for Economy, Employment and the importance of this compe- Gender Equality, Miroslav Va- tition, which should provide sin, signed the agreements for exemptions in the educa- with representatives of 14 lo- tion of Roma students in their cal governments in Vojvodina, communities. intended for non-repayable “It is certain that this funding for supporting the ed- money, which makes a mod- ucation of Roma children from est amount, serves its purpose 5th to 8th grade of elementary and that the number of Roma school. children, who could be includ- The value of the Call is ed in this amount, will get the 2,000,000.00 dinars, and total chance to get new textbooks of 1,565 Roma children in our and school supplies, which will province will have benefits in facilitate their entry into the education, thanks to the fact next class in this school year. Signing the contracts that their local governments It is the pleasure to follow applied for these funds. the events of the Sector for and medium enterprises, micro In this program, local gov- improving the Roma Position, enterprises, civic associations ernments who applied for this because they achieve great ef- and non-governmental organi- type of assistance participate fects in competitions with lit- zations used some of our sub- with half of the funds: Bela Crk- tle funds. Overall, the quality sidies Secretariat. Among them va, Kovin, Kikinda, Pećinci, Sub- of our Secretariat is not to give are the organizations that have otica, Ruma, Žitište, Odžaci, large subsidies, because we used tenders for public works Srbobran, Plandište, Bač, Bački do not have great resources at in the framework of the Roma Petrovac, Ada and Senta. our disposal, but we try to use ethnic community, creating Vice President Vasin, during these resources in the most ra- jobs for Coordinators for Roma the signing of these agreements tional way. As early as the first issues, as well as this one of to- in the Provincial Government, half of this year, over 800 small day, whose effects are signifi-

6 Provincial Government

same time, this is an invitation for others to join this action”, said Miroslav Vasin. Director of the Roma Inclu- sion Office, Duško Jovanović, expressed his satisfaction that, as he pointed out, the Roma issue transcended the borders of Serbia and that even within the EU, the Roma issue is un- der priority in the sense that it is a community that is on the brink of existence. Therefore, the efforts made by the EU to change the position of the Roma community are signifi- cant, noted Duško Jovanović on the occasion. He noted that education is a particularly im- cantly greater than the amount to invest, because it is easy portant factor for the Roma of funds intended, which is the when you have great resources and stressed that only an edu- largest preciousness of these at your disposal, but the right cated man can now be compet- effects”, said Vice President skills is to make art with small itive on the labor market and Vasin on this occasion. amounts of money. On the oth- find their place in society and Vice President Vasin er hand, we are sending the thanked the local governments pointed out that this modest message that the local govern- that have shown understand- amount is also the message of ments who have applied for ing and recognized this fact of the provincial governments to this help realized the impor- paramount importance for the want to help, and that this is tance of having assistance for Roma population. possible even when resources children from the most vulner- are smaller. “This is a wise way able ethnic community. At the  www.vojvodina.gov.rs

7 National Council

Interview with Vitomir Mihajlović, president of the Inter-Ministerial Group for Strategy and President of the National Council of the Roma national minority

Vitomir Mihajlović A NEW STRATEGY FOR IMPROVING THE ROMA POSITION IS COMING SOON

 How do you rate the and therefore were successful  Has there been im- success of the completion for them. The Roma national provement in some areas of the Decade of Roma? community has not felt pros- of the Decade? It’s a very difficult question perity and there are no results, We had achievements in to answer. On one hand, there except in the area of educa- the field of education and are objective and subjective tion that we have launched in- health, when we involved ped- reasons why Decade failed; on dependently to the Decade in agogical assistants and medical the other hand, my opinion is 2003 as the National Council mediators. That is only measur- that there are no visible re- of the Roma national minority. able and visible. At that time, sults. There are other opinions, So we can say that the Decade the Ministry for Human and by some NGOs, who worked on is the least successful project Minority Rights managed the projects and were financed by that has ever been carried Strategy and the Office for the certain international organiza- out in Serbia and in general in implementation of the Strat- tions that funded the Decade South East Europe. egy for Roma existed in the

8 National Council

Ministry. Head of the Office and 1000 students in high school of the final ranking. We had a other employees pressured the and thanks to this Instruction problem in the last three-four ministries to implement action that was developed by the Min- years, when some members of plans. Working groups were istry. To 2010, we did not limit the majority population or oth- formed in all ministries for the the number of students who er ethnic minorities who were management of the Strategy. could enroll through affirma- not able to enroll in college, Unfortunately, when it came tive action. But then there is declared themselves as Roma, to new elections, the Ministry the problem that the possibility in order to be able to do so. for Human and Minority Rights of payment of tuition fees for They apply at the municipality was shut down and the Office students who have not entered that are members of the Roma for the implementation of the to the budget. This puts them community, and receive a cer- Strategy was dismantled, and on a regular student lists and tificate and enroll. Unfortu- the Decade has not had any vis- then are not entitled to receive nately, we were there helpless. ible results since then. neither scholarships nor dormi- We tried to work together with  How will the new Strat- tories. It is not our purpose to the Ombudsman to prevent this egy for Improving the pay tuition to someone, but to abuse. However, the Ombuds- Status of Roma differ create conditions for a scholar- man and the Commissioner for from the old one? ship that a student could study Personal Data Protection stood The Government of the peacefully. Then we managed in our way that we should not Republic of Serbia will have to get a quota of 2% of the stu- discriminate against others who to provide a model for Strat- dents on a budget who enroll in wish to declare themselves as egy management. We will most the territory of the Republic of Roma. This year, we were able likely adopt a model that pro- Serbia, together with persons to perform this control because vides creation of the Agency or with disabilities. We accepted it is in the Instruction, which an independent body that will this solution because we had the Ministry forwarded the govern the Strategy, and that nowhere to go. colleges, which said that all the will Agency provide the  How would you solve the students, when submitting Fund for the implementation the problem of abuse of documentation should submit a of the Strategy. We hope to be affirmative action stu- special declaration where they able to do something big for dents who are not Roma, declare themselves as Roma, as the Roma national minority and but declare themselves well as a recommendation that for Serbia to take advantage to be to enter the desired can only be received from the of the situation because of the college? Council of the Roma national negotiation to join the EU, so in This year we got the new minority. In this way we ensure that regard, in Section 23 Roma Instruction, without the partic- that all students must come to are specifically emphasized. ipation of National Council. In offices that are authorized by  How many students en- consultation with the faculties the Council, to see them and if roll each year through af- we decided that students who they had nothing to do with the firmative action? want to enroll with affirma- Roma community they would Affirmative measures were tive measures, have to declare not receive the recommenda- launched in 2003 and were ap- themselves as Roma are on the tion. So we have reduced the praised as the best affirmative application form. In this way number of “false” students measures undertaken in Serbia. we prevent that someone sud- who enroll with affirmative Every year we enroll about 300 denly becomes Roma when you measures. We have given trust students at high schools and do not enroll in the Budget on to offices in other municipali- universities, and from 750 to 15 July, when are the outputs ties in Serbia, as prospective

9 National Council students would not have to Council members who will give However, it was not enough for come to . I think we us the information on the suc- the Ministry to open 400 de- will in that regard accept the cess of students in each quar- partments in Serbia, justifying condition with the Rector and ter. By this we want to increase the fact that there is no money the Minister of Education, and the number of students who in the budget for their salaries, will do the new Regulation and finish school. We often brag on because it was necessary to hire Guidance by the end of the the number of students who 40 teachers. This year it will year with representatives of enroll, and we do not know not be the case and it is quite the National Council, so I hope how many of them graduated certain it will be in the whole of that thereby the abuse will and we will work on it to cre- Serbia. Not because of political be completely removed. Our ate a database. will but because of the pressure problem is that we do not have  Roma language with ele- on the Ministry, since Roma are information on how many stu- ments of national culture the only minority group that dents applied this year, but just as a course is taught only did not exercise their constitu- how many of them received in Vojvodina. What about tionally guaranteed legal right

hen it comes to the Human and Minority Rights. I organized Strategy, it is something working groups composed of representa- „Wthat is the first and ba- tives of certain ministries, civil society sic document that has ever been made and members of the National Council. for the Roma ethnic community. We real- We worked for two years on this strat- ize that without this document we do not egy and another year on the develop- have any discernible future vision of how ment of action plans, where the Ministry to proceed. At the initiative of the OSCE, of Finance allocated funds, and in 2005 the Strategy for improving the Roma po- we embarked on the implementation of sition was implemented, which was origi- the Strategy. First, the National Council nally named the “Empowerment of the adopted this strategy, and gave it to the Roma ethnic community.” I was the advi- Government of the Republic of Serbia for sor to the Minister of Human and Minor- adoption, which it adopted only in 2009. ity Rights, so we worked at the Office for Then new action plans came about and

the recommendation - 150 for the other parts of Serbia? to study their mother tongue the whole of Serbia and 40 in When do you expect to with elements of national cul- Vojvodina. The novelty we in- open this question? ture. In this context, we have troduced from this school year That is right, this course opened the Instructorship with is student monitoring and help- has been studied since 1995. the Faculty of Philology in Bel- ing with problems during study- We tried to do that in Serbia grade. This is the path toward ing. The person conducting the in 2013/14 in the way that we opening the department. We monitoring will be a professor surveyed 8000 parents who are in discussions with the Dean at a particular faculty, and in gave consent for their children of the Faculty, to directly open high schools those will be our to learn the Romani language. the department there. There

10 National Council is good at the Dean’s Office to reading book for the third and and that they should not enter do that and I think we will do fourth, as well as instructions into the process of privatiza- it, if not for this school year, for teachers so that we can tion because hardly anyone for the next one surely. Also, welcome 2015/16 school year will want to buy a minority me- what we are facing is to hire 30 with the staff and textbooks. dia since it is not commercial. members of the Roma commu-  Privatization of the Therefore, the fate of these nity from the inside of Serbia media has been extend- media would be a shutdown. who are already doing course ed until October. What For this reason, they must be for certification. The certifi- is the fate of the media directly funded by the state. cate will be required for inclu- in Serbia that broadcast We indicated that to the Prime sion in the educational process programs in Romani lan- Minister and he ordered the of Roma, as teachers of the guage, and must be pri- Secretary of State of the Minis- Romani language. The course is vatized? try of Culture and Information in progress, and is led by Pro- We had a joint meeting to extend the deadline, which fessor Marija Aleksandrović. with the Prime Minister i.e. it is why the extension exists. So

the Strategy gets a new name - Strategy of which 30 000 000 was spent in the first for improvement of Roma Status and the year, and the rest was returned to the Roma Decade from 2005 to 2015, which budget, and the following year they gave was on a smaller scale than the original of us 30 000 000. The Ministry of Education 130 pages. It contained 13 divisions and has never given information on how much four priority areas: education, health, money they had to implement the Strate- employment and housing. The first funds gy, and the Ministry of Housing, which has that were allocated were appropriate. promised to do some 1000 apartments a The Ministry of Labor and Social Policy year for members of the Roma national set aside 130 million dinars and as not community awareness has never done a all funds were spent that year, so the fol- single apartment in the implementation lowing year the Ministry allocated only of the Decade.” 12 000 000, which is 10 times less. The Ministry of Health allocated 60 000 000

Graduation is scheduled for 23 became operational after five we have somehow saved the July, when will be the Certifi- years, the Republican Council minority media, to prevent cation. After that we go to the for National Minorities, chaired their privatization, and by Oc- preparation of textbooks and by Prime Minister Aleksandar tober we will solve this prob- most likely we will get the pro- Vučić. I was the representative lem that affects not only the ject from “EU Progress”, which of all the national councils, Roma national community but will finance 30 000 textbooks as the president, and directly also all other minority media. for Roma pupils, as follows: a spoke to him and just pointed picture book for first grade, to the lack of laws on the pri- speller book for the second and vatization of minority media,  Ljiljana Maričić

11 Employment

MIROSLAV VASIN VISITS PUBLIC WORKS CARRIED OUT BY THE ROMA ASSOCIATION "SRPSKI KRSTUR" IN NOVI KNEŽEVAC

ice President of the Pro- Economy, Employment and Mayor of Novi Kneževac and vincial Government and Gender Equality Miroslav Vasin, Duško Jovanović, director of VProvincial Secretary for together with Dragan Babić, the Roma Inclusion Office, visit- 12 Employment

ed the site in Srpski Krstur with the importance of public works number of unemployed people the ongoing works on the reno- involving Roma NGOs, such as, both with primary, secondary vation of Roma settlement. For in this case, the Association of and higher education. this purpose, the Province allo- Roma “Srpski Krstur”. To improve the position of cated 600,000 dinars to the mu- On this occasion, Vice Roma, Dragan Babić, Mayor of nicipality of Novi Kneževac, and President Vasin stressed the Novi Kneževac and Ninoslav people engaged in the imple- importance of public works on Jovanović, a representative of mentation of the Public Works the territory of Vojvodina, for the Roma National Council for are responsible for arranging which the provincial govern- Vojvodina, signed an agree- Roma settlements and the en- ment in 2015 allocated a total ment on the involvement of a vironment, in cooperation with of 160,000,000 dinars, pointing coordinator for Roma issues in local utility companies. Miro- out that by the conditions were the municipality, in order to slav Vasin particularly stressed created to engage a significant ensure better communication

13 Employment WORKING As the ban on employment has been beneficial, it has as well brought damage because of lack of em- ployment opportunities for Roma coordinators, doctors, FOR THE nurses, teachers and the requirements of the law should urgently be reconsidered, as it makes us lose the op- BENEFIT OF portunity to introduce Roma coordinators in the system of employment, to keep them indefinitely employed and THE WHOLE fully affirm municipalities with Roma population. COMMUNITY Miroslav Vasin, vice president of the Provincial Government The Association of Roma from Mokrin, Urma, received funds at the competition of the Provincial Secretariat for Economy, Employment and Gender Equality for the execution of public works. On that occasion, Miodrag Veldi, president of the association, told us the details related to the execution.

he association “Urma” was founded in 2003, Tand the primary area of activity was the preservation and cultivation of the Roma heritage, through the tradi- between local institutions and Roma national community will tional gypsy dance and music members of the Roma popu- feel prosperity”, said Vasin. performed by members of the lation. “Thanks to the under- Ninoslav Jovanović praised the cultural and artistic society. standing of the National Coun- municipality of Novi Kneževac They had outstanding shows, cil and the Municipality of Novi and pointed out that it is one performances and results. Over Kneževac, as well as the Roma of the few municipalities in time, the number of members Inclusion Office, we found a Serbia, which has accepted the of the cultural-artistic society way reinforce the function of initiative of the National Coun- decreased, and the association coordinators for Roma issues. cil and in this way facilitates has expanded the field of ac- Since Roma coordinators estab- the presence of Roma in local tion to formal and informal ed- lish a connection between the government. ucation, human rights, health, local government, Roma and housing and cooperation with senior civil institutions, the  Ljiljana Maričić other Roma NGOs.

14 Employment

Public works This association received 720,000 dinars for salaries of employees and related taxes at the competition of the Secretar- iat, and was also co-financed by the local community of Mokrin with 125,000 dinars, which were used to purchase equipment and tools for the work. A total of nine workers for two months were recruited. Among them are people without elementary school who belong to the hard- to-employ category, as well as those with elementary and high schools, and even a worker with completed higher school. Work- Miodrag Veldi ers are working on maintaining and restoring water permeable work has been successful, and the Roma are given the chance network in Mokrin, in order to the locals of Mokrin were very to work and provide financial re- prevent flooding and groundwa- satisfied. The work they did sources for themselves and their ter resulting from atmospheric was demanding, but in the end families. precipitation. Similar projects they could see the results. That President of the Association were already implemented: is part of why the public works expressed his gratitude to the “Protecting the village Mokrin have been significant, and the Provincial Secretariat for Econ- of high groundwater levels,” other part lays in the fact that omy, Employment and Gender in 2009, “The reconstruction Equality and the local commu- and construction of drains in nity of Mokrin as they have sup- Mokrin,” in 2010 and 2011. After all the work, ported their idea and desire to The two-month work in- everyone (both work. These public works have volved workers who were clean- residents of Mokrin unequivocally shown that the ing passes, shafts and pedestrian and the Roma who Roma in Mokrin want to work omissions, cleaning and deepen- were given a chance and make progress, not only for ing existing channels and car- to work) is satisfied themselves but for the whole ried away coarse soil and waste and grateful, and community. Miodrag Veldi be- material that did not allow the lieves that there should be more this is the biggest water to flow freely through. In of such actions, more Roma in- Mokrin, high rainfall may cause indicator that the cluded and with a chance to flooding of houses, but this was idea of public works work. In addition, a systematic prevented by this action. was completed and permanent solution should successfully and that be found that will ensure a bet- Acknowledgements it brought the desired ter competitiveness of Roma in Since the association “Urma” results. the labor market and more op- has been performing similar ac- portunities for employment. tions for a couple of years, the  Tijana Čubrilo

15 photo report

16 photo report

17 Provincial Institutions OBJECTIVES OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN SERBIA

A roundtable entitled "Objectives of sustainable development" was held at the Vojvodina Assembly, organized by the Association for Sexual and Reproductive Health of Serbia (SRH Serbia), GIZ Serbia, Regional Program - Social protection and prevention of human trafficking in Serbia with the support of the Provincial Institute for Social protection. This was the first of a total of four round tables that will be held in Serbia.

he round table was at- tions for the development of proposal of the Open-ended tended by Rada Mitrović, mankind, through economic de- Working Group of the General TDirector of the Provin- velopment and empowerment, Assembly of the UN contains 17 cial Institute for Social Protec- as well as through sustainability basic goals of sustainable de- tion, Stanislava Vidovic from of all the resources. The current velopment and 169 sub goals. GIZ, senior project manager and national coordinator for Serbia Dragana Stojanović, Executive Director of the SRH Serbia, Radomir Šovljanski, Advisor for Social Protection, Zlata Đerić, a member of par- liament. There were also rep- resentatives of other relevant institutions that contribute to defining and implementing the objectives of sustainable development in Serbia: Com- missioner for Equality, Provin- cial Ombudsman, Institute for Public Health of Vojvodina, National Employment Service, Roma Inclusion Office.

Objectives of sustainable development The Objectives of Sustain- able Development (2016-2030) are a continuation of the Mil- lennium Development Goals (2000-2015), and aim to reduce social and economic inequalities among people. The intention is to achieve the basic precondi- Roundtable participants

18 Provincial Institutions

In defining sustainable develop- The objectives incline to end sustainability of ecosystems and ment goals, the UN sought to poverty and hunger and the ac- sustainable forms of consump- ensure the participation of as cess to drinking water, ensure tion and production. One of many citizens worldwide to get healthy living, inclusive and qual- the major goals is to ensure all a more realistic picture of the ity education, gender equality, people equal access to justice, living conditions and problems sustainable economic growth, through efficient, reliable and of people from different coun- the fight against climate change inclusive institutions at all levels. tries and different social and and conservation of nature. Spe- As of September 2015, Ser- cultural groups. cial attention will be paid to the bia will align its development policy with the adopted sustain- able development goals of the Sustainable development is a development United Nations. Government in- that takes account of limited resources, stitutions, NGOs, international interconnectedness of the economy, society, donors, UN agencies, private sector and local authorities will culture and environment, as well as the right be included in implementing the of all citizens, including future generations, objectives of sustainable devel- to participate in the development process and opment and the creation of na- enjoy the benefits of development. tional indicators.  Tijana Čubrilo

19 Local self government

Interview with Darko Marković, Coordinator for Roma Issues for the municipality of Ruma LACK OF FUNDING FOR THE REALIZATION OF PLANS FOR THE ROMA THE BIGGEST PROBLEM OF ROMA COMMUNITY IN RUMA

 Since when have you  How do you get to the worked as a Coordinator information needed for for Roma Issues in Ruma? work? How do you im- I have had the position of prove your knowledge? Roma Coordinator since De- I find the needed informa- cember 22, 2014, and the Of- tion through health mediators, fice officially started running pedagogical assistants, as well on January 16 2015. as coordinators from other  Was the position of municipalities. In addition, Coordinators for Roma my source of information also Issues included in the comes form government insti- Systematization of Job tutions, such as the National Positions with local self- Employment Service and the governments? Center for Social Work. I im- There is a classification for prove my knowledge through the job position of Roma Inclu- various seminars, trainings and sion within local self-govern- workshops. ments.  How does your typical  Does the Municipal budg- working day look like? et encompass special fund- My working day starts at 7 ing for the implementation am and lasts until 3 pm. Dur- of Roma related plans? ing that period, I have clients For now, no funding was and am able to interact with planned for the implementa- people from my community, tion of plans for the Roma in which is so inspiring. I go daily the Municipal budget. to the Center for Social Work  What is your coopera- to submit applications for allo- tion with local self-gov- cation of short-term monetary ernments, provincial and assistance. If needed, I visit republic authorities? the field, talk about problems, Cooperation is good, and and then I have the ability to we hope that it will get even understand the situation and better in the future. the problems in the commu- Darko Marković

20 Local self government nity even closer, because I am nancing, I encounter problems The priority for this year is at the center of issues. with health, employment and to achieve as many success and  What type of problems housing. All those problems are finding both problems and the do you encounter at work? actually barriers to be over- effective solutions in the field Primarily, I encounter prob- come in order for me to include of education, employment, lems with financing, because the community in a better and housing and health. I also want no funding has been allocated more efficient way into the so- to progress both on personal in the budget, which is limit- cial and public life sphere. and professional field, as I be- ing me in a way, because I can-  What are your priori- lieve I will thus best contrib- not achieve the level of help I ties and plans for this ute to the development of my would want to. Apart from fi- year? community.

21 Local self government

 Could you tell us what are you particularly  Tell us something about the activities within proud of in your work and the Roma Decade on the territory of your munic- what do you find to be ipality in the fields of: education, employment, your biggest success? housing, health and human rights. Now when I look at the I tried to influence the implementation of as many fork that has been done so far, activities in the field of education, health, employment, I realize I would not be able to housing, as well as achieving human rights, above all and single out only one thing I am then the rights of national minorities. proud of; to every situation, Regarding education, I have sought to contrib- issue I solved, I accessed with ute to the staying of Romani children in schools through the same passion and desire to providing textbooks, school supplies, transportation to solve it the best possible way. I school, etc. am proud I stayed true to my- Regarding employment, I had an impact on em- self and that I know I have so ploying ten Roma nationals through a Call announced by far done everything in my pow- the Municipality, and that was in the field. I educated er to solve the barriers. I will the young Roma on how to write CVs, through what I continue to vigorously fight in wanted to contribute to their better social position. the same manner. I had solved housing matters of Romani families,  A message for your fel- where I influenced for them to be placed in social and low Roma? municipal houses. In addition, I came up with solutions Get your strength together on many issues related to paying the bills, where I rec- to improve our status! (Den tu- ommended and pleaded the public utility companies to mari zor te ando jekhipe vazda meet the needs of the unfavorable position of the Roma. amaro majlačhipe!)

 Ljiljana Maričić

22 Human rights HATE GRAFFITI TOWARD THE ROMA

In the Vojvode Bojovića street in Novi Sad, a graffito appeared directed against the Roma community. A message of inappropriate content was written on it. Workers of the Greenery immediately removed the controversial graffito.

Hate messages were unacceptable and should not be neglected, we should react to them and make them all gone. Foto: Radio 021

irector of the Roma In- clusion Office, Duško DJovanović, reacted to the writing of the graffiti and expressed concern that it happened right there, in Novi Sad, a city that has tradition- ally been a place of tolerance and multiculturalism. Accord- ing to Mr Jovanović, this is just the reflection of intol- erance in society. However, he considers that the stance written on the graffiti is not the attitude of the society as a whole, but of individuals. In Foto: Radio 021 addition, he stressed the necessity of official institutions to react and punish the perpetrators. Jovanović emphasized that the educational system needs to work on educating young people in order to prevent such events in the future. The solution is not only to penalize those who wrote the graffiti, but to find a systemic solution for the society, and that takes time and hard work.  Tijana Čubrilo 23 Life story

HEART FOR CHILDREN – RADIŠA: OUR FRIENDS WILL COME OVER NOW

"We are the happiest children in the world, because we will not take baths in a wooden washtub, but in a proper bathroom," Duško Jovanović, a straight-A student was thrilled.

hanks to the humanitari- With joint funds of the collapse”, says Vida Jovanović. an action “Heart for Chil- “Blic Foundation” and the town Although living in pover- Tdren” and the town of of Sremska Mitrovica, a ten- ty, Spomenka (4), Jovan (3), Sremska Mitrovica, the joy had member family Jovanović got a Dragić (7) Daša (17), Darko returned to the home of a sin- bathroom, and two bedrooms (21), Duško (12), Radiša (13), gle mother Vida Jovanović and and a kitchen were renovated. Dejan (15) and Aleksandar her nine children in the settle- A smallish house was plastered (11) are extremely cultural ment of Modran in Mačvanska and new windows and doors and well brought up children. Mitrovica. were placed. “Ever since I can remember, we Children’s happiness knew “This is an immense happi- bathed in the wooden washtub, no bounds when they saw ness for my children and me! during summer in the yard, guests from “Blic Foundation”, Thank you good people who during winter in the kitchen, who came with the city leaders have enabled us a better life. because is was the only warm to congratulate them on mov- We trembled in fear of snow place. New bathroom especial- ing into a renovated house. and wind and of house not to ly means a lot to me because of

24 Life story my baby, Nebojša, a two week of the new rooms. Duško and sure us they will no longer feel old”, says Daša, who recently Radiša, excellent students of ashamed to welcome friends to returned to her parents’ home. the elementary school “Do- their home. The children are squeaking brosav Radosavljevic - Narod” “Everything was rotten, and squealing of joy because in Mačvanska Mitrovica, as- wet and would fall off the ceiling at us while we would be asleep. Who would invite school friends there? I avoided going to their homes when they “Heart called me because I was not for Children” able to invite them back here. Everything is fixed now and in is the largest humanitarian action in the future I will make a birth- Serbia and we will always answer the day party and invite my friends home”, proudly says Radiša. call for help for children who do not “I study very hard to pro- have a happy childhood”, said Mayor vide my family a better future. I feel sorry for my mother who Branislav Nedimović, who distributed raised us in poverty and is still packages of school supplies, struggling. When I finish school food, sweets and toys to the and get a job, I’ll buy her all new appliances”, says Duško. Jovanović family.  www.blic.rs

25 Life story MUSIC FOR A BETTER TOMORROW

Children's hubbub and music are ever-present in the home of the four-member Petrović family from Beška. However, behind this seemingly idyllic story lays a story of hard life and huge efforts of a single father to provide quality life to his children, as well as the effort of his children to help him along that path. Still, despite all the adversity, this is a story of a family full of love, enthusiasm and desire for improvement.

Petrović family is an example of genuine parental devotion and care for children. When Dragan speaks of his sons, immense love is felt in his voice and look, but as well as a glimpse of concern and fears of things to come. However, with their harmony and love for music, we hope that what comes gets better than anything that had happened so far.

Family Petrovic

26 Life story

hen Dragan Petrović became a single father eight years ago, he realized there is no time for mourning, but that he must work even harder so he could provide his children Wa decent living. He had to learn to do all the chores around the house and to help his sons with school. Dragan has three sons: Radovan, Dejan and Dragan. Dejan and Dragan are in elementary school, while Radovan starts high school in September in Inđija. As he says, they help him a lot, are hardworking and good boys, which gives him incentive not to succumb under the problems, but to press ahead and continue to fight, to provide his children a better future.

27 Life story

The beginnings

he family’s only steady income comes from so- The importance of cial assistance and child allowances, and as education Tthat is not enough, Dragan had to find an ad- ditional source of income. Jobs were hard to find, ragan admits that it so he started to do what he only knew - to play. was difficult for chil- His sons showed interest in music and learned to Ddren to juggle school, play from an early age. That is how the Petrovićs studying and performances. started a band and started playing at fairs, vil- Hours of practicing and learn- lage Slavas, but also for celebrations, baptisms ing new compositions should be and weddings. Music has become their source added to the list. However, Dra- of income, a way to provide some funding for gan Petrović did not allow that his life. Dragan told us that it was very difficult children neglect school for playing in the beginning, but he realized that was and all three were good students. the only way to make additional income. Music is their craft, a way to earn That is why all four of them dressed in a living as their father taught them, suits, packed their instruments and sat although he wants something more down in the car and drive to places for them. He wants them to be edu- where they would play. cated people who will accomplish great things in life. Primarily, he wants them to be honest, hardworking and responsi- ble people.

The desire for musical education

one of them is a trained musician, all are pitch-perfect, but that does not prevent them from enjoying the music and amusing the audience. Dragan wanted to enroll Nthe eldest, Radovan, in music school, but this was not possible because he does not possess the theoretical knowledge. Outstanding hearing is present, and the desire, but it was not enough. They tried take private lessons, but it was just too expensive for the family budget. It would be a shame if only because of the financial difficulties of the three boys are left without music education, and therefore way has to be found to help them. So far all they have learned, they taught themselves, and they learned a lot. It is certain that they would have a faster and better progress with the professional help and would achieve their full potential.

 Tijana Čubrilo

28 Media PUBLICATION "MINORITY MEDIA - GENERATING CAPACITY"

rovincial Secretary for Cul- ture and Public Information, PSlaviša Grujić, attended the presentation of the publication “Minority media - generating ca- pacity,” published by the “Heror The new media laws access Media Pont”. This publication came about from a regional con- this area in a new way, following ference that was dedicated to European trends and approaches to the media in languages of na- tional minorities. The confer- practices that have long dominated ence was jointly organized by in Europe. Councils of national a daily newspaper in Hungarian minorities will continue to play a key language “Magyar Szo”, “Heror Media Pont” and the Centre for role in this process when it comes the Development of minority and to the functioning of the media in local media. minority languages. Existing legislation Rozália Ekres, director of the newspaper “Magyar Szo” ex- pertaining to national minorities plained the extinction of minority provides the opportunity to their media would impoverish the cul- ture of the majority of the peo- Councils to financially support media ple, and that they are trying to companies that produce media content find adequate answers to all the in minority languages. However, challenges that are before us: the era of digitalization, when elec- this option includes an obligation to tronic media relentlessly threat- ensure the editorial and programming en the press and when minority independence of the media and allow populations are dramatically be- ing reduced. Ekres added that to journalists to make the media content survive, we must work together, for minority communities. actively and with help. Slaviša Grujić said that it is more than important that mi- Source: "Minority media nority media join, especially in - generating capacity" Vojvodina, as a multi-ethnic en- vironment in order for them to secure the best possible work- ing conditions. “Radio-Television of Vojvodina performs its public

29 Media

Academy for Media Management

Academy for Media Management was cre- ated by a media con- sulting company “Gi- acomelli media” from Ljubljana. Through a partnership with the Centre for the Develop- ment of minority and local media and media agency “Heror Media Pont”, it was designed to meet the needs of minority and local me- dia in Serbia and the region. Our intention is to develop this pro- gram and apply it to the Western Balkans region, creating a new reality, which corresponds to modern trends of the media industry, while taking into account the specifics of the envi- ronment in which me- dia operate and create content. The program is based on a large num- ber of case studies, ex- amples of good and not Presentation of the publication so good practice, dia- service function, but it is very tial that these media do ex- logue between the par- important that at the local ist, they have stable funding ticipants and practical level there are media outlets and to inform citizens about creative workshops. that will represent the inter- what is important, not only in ests and inform the national their but also in other nation- community locally. It is essen- al communities.“

30 Media

Natasa Heror, executive consecutive regional confer- November 5, 2015 in Belgrade. director of the “Heror Media ence dedicated to the media In addition to presenting the Pont”, pointed out that this in minority languages called publication, the establishment publication could serve as a “Developing media brands. of the Academy for Media Man- guideline in the work of others. Are we ready for the experi- agement was announced. She also announced a fourth ment?”, which will be held on  Ljiljana Maričić

31