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

No. 55, November 2015 Photo of the month: Teaching assistant with pupils 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 Dear Tijana Čubrilo Ljiljana Maričić Readers, Correspondents: Ferenc Koso Coordinators for Roma issues of the AP Vojvodina Ivana Koprivica

Translation into Romani: Nota Bene, Centar za prevođenje i učenje stranih jezika his is the November issue of our magazine. The lead-in column of this issue is Education, which Translation into English: brings texts about the work of teaching assistants Nota Bene Centar za prevođenje i učenje T stranih jezika, Novi Sad and about the jubilee of the City Library in Novi Sad. We bring you a report “Analysis of the position Technical Preparation and Printing: of Coordinator for Roma issues in local government Lola preduzetništvo, Beograd, units in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina” in the www.lolapreduzetnistvo.co.rs Provincial Institutions column. Circulation: The Employment column presents you the op- 1000 copies portunities offered by the National Employment Ser- vice. Another text in this column brings a true example Address: Mihajla Pupina 25, 21000 Novi Sad of a successful and young Roma woman, while in the Tel: 021/488-17-23 third, we write about the public works in Tovariševo. [email protected] In the Social protection column, we will intro- www.inkluzijaroma.vojvodina.gov.rs duce you to the “Center for Foster Care and Adoption” CIP - Cataloging in Publication in Novi Sad. The Library, Novi Sad International Day for Tolerance is an article 323.1 (=214.58)(=497.113) from the Human Rights column. The Decade of Roma in AP Vojvodina: The story of the Roma Educational Center and Monthly Publication of the Roma Inclusion of a project of Roma Cultural Center “Roma caravan of Office / Editor in Chief Duško Jovanović Art” is in the NGO column. -2011, No. 1 - Novi Sad: The Roma Inclusion We remind you that, thanks to the Research and Office of the Government of AP Vojvodina, Education Center and to the Preschool Teacher Train- 2011-.30 cm ing College “Mihailo Palov” in Vršac, you can read our Monthly. In Serbian, English and Romani publication in its electronic form at www.rec.org.rs/ language - In Romani printed in reverse bilten/. COBISS.SR - ID 261834759

Your editorial board Education

Interview with Zorica Kalanjoš, teaching assistant at the elementary school "Dušan Radović" in Novi Sad WHEN YOU LOVE YOUR JOB

 How did you decide to work as a teaching we have to motivate children and parents by hold- assistant? ing parent meetings or consultations. Given that I Initially, I worked in a kindergarten for Roma have worked for many years at this position, there children called “Step by Step” in Bački Monostor was a positive step. Before I constantly had to go and I really liked that I could help the children and into the field and talk with the parents, and now advance them to a higher level. Kindergarten was parents themselves come to school and this is very very successful. After some time, the vacant post important. However, I’m still on the field, but only for teaching assistants came out and I immediately once a week. Also, parents come to PTA meetings applied and got the job. with me regularly, and not with the teacher, be-  Have you completed additional training cause they still have a barrier. for teaching assistants? Did you not understand what your job en- I finished school, which was not related to tails? work in kindergartens and schools. However, I In the beginning, I did not, because we fought liked the job and then I enrolled in a higher school various resistances at school. School employees educator that I had an education in accordance thought that we are a type of control that will with my job. When teaching assistants started to oversee their work, because nobody knew what a employ, we had a variety of additional training in teaching assistant means. Teachers were mad be- the form of modules and training that we went for cause they thought they did not need a teaching years and last year they finished. assistant, but that is now different. I was lucky be-  How many children do attend your ele- cause the director at the time was sympathetic to mentary school? my work and me, and I was immediately presented This is a large primary school. There are about as an aid, and not as a control. 2000 students in three buildings.  How does your workday look like?  Was there a need for a teaching assistant? It is very turbulent. Not a single day is the The need was great because teaching assis- same. When I walk through the door, there is a tants are a great support to Roma children. The new situation every day. First, someone from the right word and right access are support to every- parents waits in the hallway. Then, it all depends one. Roma children have the language barrier, and on where I go to school, because I go to all the are included late in the school and have a number three facilities. When I’m in a school, I assist the of problems they face on a daily basis. When they first class and I am present with the teacher in come to school everything is unknown, and the class. In another school I am an assistant as well, teacher and teaching assistant join forces to re- but since there are many children who remain in turn a child into the school system. Jobs in educa- the extended care, I am partly in class, and partly tion should be loved. Successful teaching assistant there. Sometimes, when I’m working individually, I can be a person who loves their work and loves bring the students to the library or to a classroom children. that is free. I hold workshops that are very impor-  What is the cooperation like with the par- tant to them. The entire week runs so fast, so I ents? have to hold additional classes on Saturdays. In the education of children, parents are the  What do you see as an obstacle in your most important link. The problem is that Roma work? children are from backgrounds where their par- I do not have an obstacle but I try to be func- ents do not see the importance of education. So tional and do whatever it takes. I work together

2 Education

Zorica Kalanjoš with parents to solve problems around the pur- come to school, they are more or less neat and chase textbooks, various Calls because they are clean. There are some little problems, but we mostly illiterate and do not know how it works. solve them in school. I have a good cooperation  Is it difficult for children who are re- with the director, pedagogue, psychologist and the turned under the Agreement on readmission entire teaching staff, so we always come up with to fit into the school environment? a solution together. When they come back, we have a problem be-  Due to the fact that you have been work- cause they attend only language classes on Asy- ing this for the last ten years, did the chil- lum. Mostly, we put them in classes where they dren who went to school when you were were before. That period where they are not there starting to work completed their education usually lasts from 4 months to even a year. This is successfully? a big problem, but their teachers can meet with There are plenty of students who have suc- them, give them additional lessons, and I’m work- ceeded, and since all of them are from the area, ing with them. Also, the director really under- we see each other often. I cooperate with them, stands the children and does everything for them they greet me and are very successful. I’m really to pursue further education. proud of them.  What are you particularly proud of in  How many Roma children each year enroll your work? in the first grade, and how many of them I am proud to see that children attend school complete it? regularly. When I go to school, they greet, hug About 50 children attend first grade, but only me and rejoice to see me. They come from set- eight fifteen reach the end of the eight grade. tlements where they have nothing, but when they There is a lot of attrition when they reach the fifth

3 Education

Extended Day Care

4 Education

grade. Mostly good children go abroad and when they return they lose the thread, so we have to take them to adult school.  What would you say to your students? Education is the key to positive change and a better life. They can do anything, but only if they have the knowledge. I constantly repeat it to them, especially to girls, and I have a special workshop on the impor- tance of education for them. Some listen, but some marry early because of their tradition. Ljiljana Maričić

5 Education THE CITY LIBRARY IN NOVI SAD MARKED TWO JUBILEES

The City library in Novi Sad presented the plaques to deserving individuals and institutions on the occasion of two big jubilees in the reading room of the City Library in Novi Sad on October 28. The Roma Inclusion Office was among the winners of the plaque.

Celebration partnerships and cooperation could not be this powerful cul- A grand ceremony on the with representatives of gov- tural institution,” said Kojić. occasion of two jubilees was ernmental and non-govern- The program continued held at the City Library in Novi mental sector, public library with a short speech about SAd: 170 years of existence and operation of the City Li- brary in Novi Sad and 60 years since the children’s ward set aside as a special branch of the library. At the beginning of the program, director of the library, Dragan Kojić, ex- pressed satisfaction with the large number of attendees who also contributed to the success of the operation of the City Library in Novi Sad and who are responsible for its existence. Plaques were given to the Serbian Armed Forces, the President of SASA Branch in Novi Sad, , the Roma Inclusion Of- fice of the AP Vojvodina, some schools, cultural institutions and deserving individuals. “Es- timates of the general public about the work of the librar- ies are favorable. Libraries are appointed as a space of free- dom for the users, because only users give meaning to our existence and work and certify the profession. Without strong Awarding of the Plaque

6 Education

the history of the city library, isfied with the long-term coop- in South Bačka district, it de- and after that, there was the eration. He pointed out that signs and monitors the devel- stage show entitled “At the Li- it was the director of the City opment of library services in a brary” , by elementary school Library in Novi Sad, Dragan network of 250 libraries and li- “Dositej Obradovic” students, Kojić, who was responsible for brary units. City library in Novi under the mentorship of Vera the establishment of libraries Sad is located at the Dunavska Mihajlović, who also scripted in Šangaj called “Trifun Dimić” Ulica no. 1, in a building that the text. After that, Žarmira and he thanked him for that. was endowed by Anka and Arsa Benka from the cultural artic- Pajević, publisher, patrons tic association “Isidor Bajić” History of the Library and benefactors of the Ser- sang the “Oči čornie” song. City library in Novi Sad, bian people. The Library has Plaques were awarded af- with more than 25,000 cus- worked on continuing the tra- ter cultural programs. Director tomers and a fund of over dition of Serbian Reading Room of the Roma Inclusion Office, 500,000 books, is one of the of Novi Sad which was estab- Duško Jovanović, thanked for largest public library in the lished on 23 September 1845. the award and said he was sat- country. As the main library Its first president was John Rajić junior, a Novi Sad lawyer. The first Constitution, rules on organization and functioning, the Reading Room received in December 1860. Svetozar Miletić became the head of the Reading Rooma in 1861, and Jovan Jovanović Zmaj became a secretary. The Ser- bian Reading Room founded the in 1861, the first professional theater of . It is a patron of the work of the United Ser- bian Youth, Serbian Singing So- ciety and many other institu- tions and organizations. The Serbian Reading Room kept its individuality in Novi Sad until 1958, when it united with the Library “Djura Daničić,” rayon libraries of the city, and later with the Lending Depart- ment Library of Matica Srpska, and it takes the form and man- ner of today, as the Municipal Library in Novi Sad.

 Ljiljana Maričić Awarding of the Plaque

7 photo report

8 photo report

9 Provincial institutions

Roma Coordinators in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina

THE ANALYSIS OF THE POSITION OF ROMA COORDINATORS IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS IN THE AUTONOMOUS PROVINCE OF VOJVODINA

n late 2013, the institution of the Provincial the authorities, institutions, services and other IOmbudsman - in the area of national minori- holders of public powers. The institution of the ties protection joined the project “VET4 Media- Provincial Ombudsman in the field of protection tion between the Roma men and women.” This of national minorities rights wanted to estab- international project is being implemented with lish the manners of regulating employment of financial support from the Programme for Life- these Coordinators in local governments on the long Education of the European Commission, and territory of APV, and the influence of the form its main implementer in the Republic of is and manner of their employment on the quality the civil society organization “Work in progress” of their work and the work of the local govern- from Novi Sad. With its implementation and the ment, as well as the quality of the human rights strengthening of Roma mediators, the aim of of the Roma minority. the programme is to provide a greater degree of realisation, protection and promotion of Roma rights in the participating countries - Spain, Italy, Belgium, Romania and Serbia. The project envis- This analysis consists of three parts: ages that the Provincial Ombudsman as a partner institution, among other things, should also par- 1. Overview of the legal framework rel- ticipate in the analysis of existing formal legal evant to the employment of the Roma framework and practice in relation to mediation coordinators in local governments in among the Roma and the publication of the re- Serbia, i.e. APV, sults of the analysis, as well as the exchange of 2. Data and information from the field, experience of the participating countries related obtained from the Roma coordinators to the work of the Roma mediators in the four in APV, together with recommenda- areas covered by the Roma Decade - education, tions, employment, health care and housing. In the Republic of Serbia, i.e. the Autono- 3. Conclusions concerning the position of the Roma minority in APV. mous Province of Vojvodina (APV), there are Roma Coordinators who mediate communication between the members of the Roma minority and

10 Provincial institutions

The legal framework of Roma palities - Association of Towns and Municipalities Coordinators’ employment of Serbia within the project “SCTM Network for The establishment of Roma Coordinators, the Roma issues” for the period of engagement their authorities, role and position are not regu- between June and December 2015. The “SCTM lated by laws or by-laws of the Republic of Ser- Network for the Roma issues”, which is part of bia. Roma coordinators are mentioned in policy a larger project “Strengthening the role of the documents - The Strategy for improving the sta- local Roma coordinators in local governments in tus of the Roma in the Republic of Serbia and Serbia”, financially supported by the Kingdom the National Strategy for resolving the issues of of Sweden / Swedish International Development refugees and internally displaced persons for Cooperation Agency (Sida), and implemented the period from 2015 to 2020. The job title of by the SCTM and the Organization for Europe- the coordinator is not uniform - the National an Security and Cooperation (OSCE) in Serbia. Strategy for resolving the issues of refugees and Within this project, a Roma Coordinator can be internally displaced persons for the period from engaged for the period of six (6) months and has 2015 to 2020 uses the term Coordinators for the the role of providing professional and technical

Workshop for Roma Coordinators

Roma Issues, while the Strategy for improving support to local government in relation to the the status of the Roma in the Republic of Serbia areas covered by the Strategy for improving the states the terms Roma coordinators, coordina- status of the Roma in the Republic of Serbia and tors or Coordinators for the Roma Issues. local strategic documents for Roma inclusion. Most Roma coordinators were hired through Roma Coordinator provides professional and open competitions, which were within various technical assistance in improving the situation projects for improving the situation of Roma. An of the Roma (prevention of all forms of discrimi- example of such competition is a competition nation, employment, education, health, social for the position of Roma Coordinator in munici- care and housing) in the territories of cities, and palities and urban municipalities announced by municipalities involved in the project. Qualifi- the Standing Conference of Towns and Munici- cation: compulsory secondary education, fluent

11 Provincial institutions

Coordinators for Roma issues of the AP of Vojvodina

Serbian, speaking the Roma language is an ad- the assessment of the competent authorities vantage, the ability and readiness for intensive of the local government whether they will hire cooperation and communication with people of somebody new for the job, for what period of different national and religious background, be- time, which will be the legal basis of engage- ing familiar with the life and problems of the lo- ment, and what that person’s responsibilities cal Roma population, knowledge of the responsi- are. The absence of a legal basis in practice bilities and functioning of local self-government leads to unequal position of Roma coordinators, advantage, being familiar with the Roma inclu- inability to perform continuous operations and sion problems and the rights of minorities, un- illicit influence on their work. derstanding of the socio-economic conditions and institutional discrimination against the Data and information from the Roma Roma community, possession of organizational Coordinators and analytical skills and computer skills. From September 2014 until the end of March As Roma coordinators are not legal catego- 2015, 19 of the 25 local government units with ries, the establishment of such a mechanism at RCs on the territory of APV were visited. 162 the local level is not imperative. It depends on coordinators were interviewed, while the Roma

12 Provincial institutions

Coordinators for Roma issues of the AP of Vojvodina

Coordinator from Subotica sent the requested the formal and legal aspects of the employment information via e-mail. The text of the analysis of Roma Coordinators, the state of the rights below is based on the information and data ob- of the Roma in the fields of education, health, tained from the Roma Coordinators at these in- housing and employment, as well as the issues terviews, or received in writing. The interviews related to the elections for national councils of were conducted on the basis of semi-structured national minorities held in October 2014. questionnaires. The notes taken during the in- The analysis results below are grouped in terviews were later used to analyse the obtained relation to specific topics relevant to the work data and information. of the Roma Coordinators, and the realization, This questionnaire, during the interviews protection and promotion of the rights of the with the coordinators for Roma issues in Ap- Roma, and at the end of each section provides atin, Sombor, Odžaci, Žabalj, Zrenjanin, Alibu- recommendations. nar, Pančevo, Kovin, Inđija, Sremska Mitrovica, Vrbas, Beočin, Novi Sad, Bačka Palanka, Bač, Sečanj, , and the data obtained in writing Provincial Ombudsman from the coordinator from Subotica, reviewed of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina

13 Employment

ROMA PEOPLE WANT TO WORK

n Tovariševo, there is a large numbers of lage and accumules atmospheric precipitation, Roma and, therefore, it is additionally impor- and then transports it out of the village, has not Itant and commendable that the Association been cleaned for several decades, and its func- “Čarain” from this place received public work tion was greatly reduced. With these works, this in the competition of the Provincial Secretariat feature was brought to the previous level, which for Economy, Employment and Gender Equality. is very important for the entire village. Through this association, three Roma (Vladimir Seća Kolompar, on behalf of the Association Kolompar, Živan Pavel and Stanko Nikolić) from of Citizens “Čarain”, told us about the reasons Tovariševo were given the opportunity to work why they signed up to this competition of the and make money. They did the cleaning and re- Secretariat, its importance, but also about the moving garbage, digging and clearing channels in difficulties that have arisen when it was neces- the local community Tovariševo, over a period of sary to find three Roma in Tovariševo to perform four months (from July 1 to October 31), and the these tasks. locals are companions responded very positively The problem was not in the fact that Roma to this. From an elderly companions, we learned did not want to work, but that it was very dif- that the main channel that runs through the vil- ficult to find the Roma who have a valid identity

Doing public works 14 Employment

card. There were many Roma who wanted to apply for a job, but could not just due to that. Thus, another problem was discovered and sprung, and that is the lack of personal documents, which entails a number of other problems: the achievement of social, health, and edu- cational rights. It is necessary to work on solving this problem because it is unacceptable that in a modern so- ciety there are people who do not have personal docu- ments, and even less permissible that it hinders them in the performance of daily duties, but in a much larger and more serious activities, such as finding a job. At the citizens’ association “Čarain”, they consider that such competitions are a chance to Roma to enter the work system and feel as equal and valuable members of the society. For this reason they decided to apply for this vacancy, and are very grateful to the Provincial Sec- retariat for Economy, Employment and Gender Equality, which designed and completely implemented it. Every- thing would have been more complete and more suc- cessful if such projects were more frequent and when an increasing number of Roma would be included, but any initiative that improves the situation of the Roma is a huge, important thing and deserves to be told and written about. All three Roma who performed this public work ex- pressed their happiness and satisfaction with the of- fered opportunities. They say that they do not fear the job, they do not flee from it and would always respond when it comes to business, regardless of its weight and complexity. They find that it is not true that the Roma do not want to work, and this is confirmed with their ex- ample and responsible attitude towards work entrusted to them. It was very important for them that this work was accounted into their work booklets, and that their pension and social security was regularly paid for. They will spend the earned money on purchasing fuel for the winter, materials for house reparation, textbooks and school supplies, clothing, as well as daily necessities. Finally, they wish that this type of competitions and ac- tions would be more frequent, and for the Roma to be more active and more involved in the society, and work- ing is the first condition to be met on the way of full integration and equality. Tijana Čubrilo

15 Employment ANOTHER ONE IN A SERIES OF YOUNG AND SUCCESSFUL ROMA WOMEN

On October 1, 2015, the day of the new school year, the Preschool Teacher Training College "Mihailo Palov", Eldena Jovanović received her diploma and her thesis was awarded the best. In addition, October the 1st was her first working day as a qualified staff in teaching at the same school. This is the story of a highly educated and emancipated woman.

The road to education she had no problems in learning nor did she When Eldena was a child, Romani was encounter discrimination, even though she not spoken in her family. However, in fourth was the only Roma in the class. She regularly grade, her grandfather decided to enroll her received scholarship since she started high and her brother to Romani folklore, and thus, school. “When I went to college, I was the first together with the other children, they learned on the list for state funded scholarship, and I to dance folk dances and speak Romani lan- got two scholarships - from the Roma Inclusion guage. “I am proud to know my language, to Office and the Ministry of Education, Science be able to teach it and work with children who and Technological Development. I managed are my nationality,” says Eldena, satisfied. to get into the boarding school with these After primary school, she finished vocational points, “says proudly Eldena. She finished the school for financial technicians in Stara Pa- Preschool Teacher Training College “Mihailo zova. This beautiful Romani woman said that Palov” for vocational teachers in Romani, and

16 Employment

Eldena Jovanović with that degree she is able to work with both at the Paja Jovanović School. At the time, I Romani and Serbian children. volunteered and worked with children who barely went to school. Also, I worked with Education is worthwhile their parents. There were cases where the The key to success for the entire Roma pov- children had straight “A”s, while their parents erty is education. After a long and difficult road were illiterate. When they had problems with to education, Eldena has succeeded in her in- doing they homework, I would help. I did it tention. She has worked as a teaching assistant with pleasure because I saw that they needed and has taught five courses related to the de- it,” explains Eldena. She points out that she is velopment of speech and literature in Romani, very proud to have finished just this college. and will maybe teach mathematics as well. She is from Stara Pazova and originally wanted “Today is my first work day, and before to enter the Faculty of Philosophy in Novi Sad, this job, I worked as a pedagogical assistant but eventually opted for this school and she

17 Employment

Interview with Tatiana Vidović, director of Novi Sad branch of the National Employment Service We wish a lot of success and research papers to Elena, and she promised us that she will continue to evolve and learn,  because without constant Please introduce the institution where you are employed as the CEO. learning there is no progress. The National Employment Service (NES) is a modern public service that provides services to the unemployed and employers in Serbia. It consists of the Directorate, the two Provincial Offices, 34 branches, 21 offices and more than did not repent. Professors have helped her a 120 branch offices in all districts in the Republic lot and had a lot of confidence in her. of Serbia. If the unemployed want to start their own Thesis business or they need support, advice, train- Title of her thesis is Cognitive Develop- ing and mediation related to employment, they ment, Structure, Capabilities and Opportu- address the National Employment Service. If nities of measuring Intelligence of Preschool employers cannot find and choose the right em- Children. The paper deals with the intelli- ployees for their company, the National Employ- gence of children, and was praised to be the ment Service they can solve their problem. We best. Eldena admitted that she was a bit lazy have the largest database of the unemployed at when it comes to graduate paper, but her pro- the national level. The support that we provide fessor and mentor, Tanja Nedilović, helped a for employers comes with free trials and selec- lot in order for her not to give up in the end. tions, as well as financial support in the form of She points out that she was proud of having active employment policy measures: subsidies such a teacher. And not only her, but all who for hiring workers, exempting employers from work in this educational institution and who paying contributions for the People with disabil- are responsible for the fact that today she ity (PwD), public works, employment fairs, PwD completed a long journey to education. employment measures, training and mentoring, acquisition of practical knowledge, professional Message to her Roma compatriots practice, support in the process of reorganiza- Eldena says that education must be a pri- tion of business entities and declaring redun- ority. While she was studying, several students dant employees. left college because they got married. “I would  Small and medium enterprises are the not want to make this a practice and since I’m engine of development of any society, and now starting to work as a teaching assistant, many developed countries are now able I’d pay more attention to this problem and I to develop their economy by encouraging will talk with students about the importance small and medium enterprises. How is it of education,” says Eldena at the end of the done in Serbia today, and are we willing conversation. to follow European trends in this area? The Republic of Serbia has followed the  Ljiljana Maričić trends in the domain of supporting SMEs for long

18 Employment HELP AND SUPPORT IN EMPLOYMENT AND SELF-EMPLOYMENT years. What NES offers to the unemployed when training for assistant hairdressers and training they are starting their own business is support – for hands and feet care. informational and counseling, educational, and The NES is also involved in the implementa- financial. When it comes to financial support, tion of the project “We are here together - Eu- the Romani could apply in throughout this year ropean support for Roma Inclusion” implement- for self-employment subsidies, and employers ed by the OSCE Mission. One of its components could apply for employing less employable un- envisages the establishment of mobile teams for employed persons, which include the Romani the Romani, which would improve the status of people. All the other measures implemented the Romani through more integrated services by in the NES also involve the participation of the various institutions. Romani.  In August 2015, Serbia signed the agree-  Who do you cooperate with in the im- ment on the seven-year EU program for plementation of programs for the Romani? employment and social innovation, the so- The NES cooperates with numerous institu- called EaSI program. Is the NES ready for tions and organizations. The inclusion of the involvement in this program? Romani in the sphere of labor is also a reason to Minister of Labor, Employment, and Social cooperate. In order to improve the situation of Issues of the Republic of Serbia, Aleksandar the Romani in the labor market, we cooperate Vulin, and the European Commissioner for Em- with the Centre for Social Welfare, Directorate ployment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, Marianne for Economy of the City of Novi Sad, the Gov- Thyssen, signed the Agreement on the Accession ernment of Vojvodina, educational institutions, of Serbia to the EU Program for Employment and and a large number of governmental and non- Social Innovation - EaSI. governmental organizations, of which, among The Employment and Social Innovation Pro- others, include Romani Students Association, gram (EASI), together with the funding from the Roma Inclusion Office, Ecumenical Humanitar- European Social Fund (ESF), and the European ian Organization - Roma Resource Centre and Globalization Adjustment Fund (EGF), forms a Novi Sad Humanitarian Centre. coherent set of EU programs for the promotion  Is the NES involved in some special pro- of employment, social protection and social in- jects financed by international funds, or clusion, as well as working conditions in the pe- are there any plans for such projects? riod 2014-2020. Within IPA 2012, NES is involved in the pro- The program aims to support social policy ject “Increasing the effectiveness of employ- and employment policy in the European Union. ment policies towards disadvantaged groups”, The program supports the efforts of the Mem- which will enable the inclusion of 300 Romani ber States in creating and implementing social people in the two cycles of training during 2016 reforms and reforms in the field of employment and 2017. For that purpose, a survey was con- at European, national, regional, and local level ducted among the Romani at the end of 2014, through the identification, coordination, analy- and a proposal was made for verification of sis, and exchange of best practices.

19 Employment

Meeting at the NES

Given the fact that so far the NES has been According to the National Employment Ac- involved in a number of international projects tion Plan for 2015, the Romani are recognized whose aim was modernization of the NES ser- as hardly employable categories of unemployed vices, status improvement, and employment of persons, and therefore have a special treatment less employable categories in the labor market, when using active labor market measures. I believe it will also have the capacity for im- In 2015, a public call was published for self- plementing this Agreement within the scope of employment, designed only for the unemployed their activities. Romani for the allocation of 160,000 dinar grants.  Are there any competitions that are de- The response of the Romani was weak. Only two signed only for the Romani? If there are, of the three submitted requests were approved what is their budget, and what are they and two contracts were made on the allocation intended for? of grants (the third request had been withdrawn

20 Employment

because of the approved funds from the budget jobs, which brings the same results. of the City Administration for Economy). As part of the third cycle of Functional Ele-  What is the reaction of the Romani to mentary Education in 2013 and 2014, the Roma- retraining and additional training organ- ni who had completed primary education opted ized by the NES? for specific training. However, the groups either The Romani are mostly involved in the func- could not be established, or there were fewer tional elementary adult education, but due to people involved than the original applicants. the difficult life conditions of and for some ob- For example, only five of the seven candidates jective, but also subjective reasons, that often completed the pastry cook training, and only results in great dispersal. Upon completing pri- two of the five participants completed the sau- mary education, the Romani also have the op- sage making training. portunity to complete the training for simple Ljiljana Maričić

21 Social protection

Interview with Ivana Koprivica, Director of the Center for Foster Care and Adoption of Novi Sad SUPPORTING FOSTER PARENTS

Ivana Koprivica

22 Social protection

 Could you explain the need for opening The chart below shows the percentage of the Center for Foster Care and Adoption foster families per district founded by the CF- Novi Sad (CFCANS)? CANS Center for Foster Care and Adoption of Novi Sad was created as part of activities that serve to advance protection of children without paren- tal care and quality upbringing and the elderly in Vojvodina. Its foundation contributes to building quality systems for protecting social protection 780 families beneficiaries. The Center was established on 19 February 2014 by the Decision of the Government South Bačka 53% of AP Vojvodina, in the territory of South Bačka, Srem, and Central Banat Administrative Districts. Middle Banat 22% Its offices are located in House 1 in Children’s

Village in Sremska Kamenica. Initiating such a Srem 25% center in Vojvodina, directly contributes to the achievement of the most important reform aims set in the strategic documents of the Republic of Serbia, which are related to the development of services, measures and forms of protection of children and the elderly. The center is an innova- tive institution in the system of social protection in AP Vojvodina, and is the youngest institution  Who are your beneficiaries and how do of this kind in the territory of Vojvodina and Ser- you provide support? bia. It aims to build a modern and comprehensive As I have already mentioned, there are 780 approach to beneficiary protection. families providing foster care in the territory  Are there any other centers like this in for which the Center has been founded. This Serbia? segment of social protection enables a special Besides the center in Novi Sad, there are quality of cooperation with the beneficiaries, currently five more centers for Foster Care and or foster parents. Namely, the foster parents in Adoption in the territory of the Republic of Ser- the social protection system are considered to bia. They are located in Belgrade, Niš, Kragu- be service providers, based on the Law on Social jevac, Ćuprija, and also Miloševac, which is a Protection. The role of the Center is to provide place with a long tradition of fostering. The them with support and monitoring by maintain- plan is to establish two more centers in the ter- ing partnership relations. In this way the direct ritory of Bela Crkva and Subotica. beneficiaries of our services are foster parents,  What is the aim of establishing the while children and their progress are the respon- Center? sibility of the Center for Social Work. A holistic Based on the records from social welfare approach as our starting framework allows us to centers in the districts of South Bačka, Srem and create a service plan for each family, based on Central Banat, there are currently 780 families the specific needs of the family. In this way, by providing foster care. Our Center was founded supporting foster parents, we also monitor the with the aim of providing quality support and child in care. monitoring of these families. Furthermore, an- The following graphs respectively show the other important aspect of the Center is the as- distribution of the children, and the adults/ el- sessment of future foster parents’ eligibility, as derly placed in foster families in the adminis- well as their preparation and continuous train- trative districts of South Bačka, Srem and Cen- ing for foster care. tral Banat.

23 Social protection

1039 children

79 individuals

 Tell us about the structure of the Center The Center’s activities can be broadly di- (number of staff, organizational structure)? vided into two segments: the first relates to the There are currently 13 employees in the direct work with the family, while the other fo- Center for Foster Care and Adoption of Novi cuses on the creation of conditions to achieve Sad, including one supervisor (social worker), better cooperation with the family. an implementer of tra ining programs (teacher), When we say direct cooperation with the four foster care advisers (one social worker, two family, we primarily refer to the processes of psychologists and an educator) and one intern- selecting and preparing the foster; that is, de- adviser for foster care (a teacher), who work termining general eligibility for foster care. directly with foster families. The head of the Then there are the processes of selecting the Center is the director, while other employees adequate foster families, and participating in include the Secretary of the Institution, the planning services and protection measures in head of accounting, an administrative worker, foster care. CFCA of Novi Sad monitors and re- a driver, and a maid. The systematisation stipu- views the implementation of fostering, but also lates the total of 24 employees in the Center, supports the direct beneficiaries of foster care and we are still focusing on how to provide the and foster families. One of the most important necessary human resources to perform our ac- tasks of the Center is also to participate in the tivities freely. preparation of the beneficiary to the sys-  Tell us briefly about the activities of tem of social protection or change the service the Center for Foster Care and Adoption provided. Of course, we must not forget the of Novi Sad? constant support to foster families, the children

24 Social protection and the elderly, but also to professionals in the informing, and campaigning for foster care, but form of training, practice and work on strength- also by raising awareness and involving the local ening competencies. community resources; finally, by implementing The second segment of the Center for Fos- research and project activities, as well as by ter Care and Adoption of Novi Sad refers to publishing the professional literature. the creation and development of conditions to You can find more information about the ac- achieve better cooperation with the family. The tivities of the Center at the website: http:// Center achieves this by popularising foster care, www.cpsuns.rs

Work atmosphere at the Center for Foster Care and Adoption

 How can one become a foster parent? The process of establishing foster care begins by filing a request (free form) to the Center for Social Work in the municipality of residence. The application should include the appropri- ate documentation: 1. photocopy of the ID card; 2. birth certificate; 3. marriage certificate (if the foster parents are married); 4. certificate of citizenship; 5. medical certificate; 6. confirmation of employment and monthly income (including income from agricultural ac- tivities, rental of apartments/houses, and unregistered activities); 7. certificate of the property (the sales contract for appartments/ houses, the rental con- tract, the purchase contract, the probate); 8. police clearance certificate (issued by the police department); 9. certificatethat foster parent is not under any investigation or indictment (issued by the court) 10. certificate that the prospective foster parent is not deprived of parental rights (issued by the court); 11. certificate that the prospective foster parent is not deprived of the capacity for work (is- sued by the Center for social work); 12. certificate that the foster parent does not have a record as a person under measures of protection against domestic violence (provided by the Center for Social Work).

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Assessment of the general eligi- INTERNATIONAL bility foster families includes: * Analysis of personal documents DAY FOR / supporting documents for the prospective foster parents TOLERANCE * An interview with the prospec- tive foster parents at the insti- n the world and in Serbia, the International tution; Day For Tolerance is marked on 16 November, which was established because of a need for * An interview with the family I tolerance in society and to point out the nega- members of the prospective fos- tive effects of intolerance. The UN General ter parents in the home visit; Assembly urged the Member States in 1996 to * Assessment during the imple- mark the International Day for Tolerance – on 16 November. mentation of the programme UN member states in 1995 adopted a Decla- of preparation and training for ration of Principles on Tolerance in which it was foster care. pointed out that tolerance is neither indulgence nor indifference, but the observance of a wide spectrum of cultures, forms of expression and Spouses or common-law partners - the pro- humanity and is recognition of universal human spective foster parents, attend the preparation rights and freedoms of others. program for foster care. Training lasts 33 hours, and is organised into 11 thematic units. What is tolerance? Upon the completion of the preparation To be able to be tolerant, we must know programme, the Center for foster care makes what tolerance is. Tolerance is respect, accept- a synthesized report - the results and expert ance and appreciation of the rich diversity of opinion on the general suitability of the pro- world culture. It fosters knowledge, openness, spective foster parents, which are submitted communication and freedom of thought and be- to the Center for social work. The Center for lief. Tolerance is harmony in difference. This is Social Work shall decide on the general suitabil- not only a moral duty but also a political and ity of the prospective foster parents and issue a legal requirement. Tolerance is a virtue that certificate of foster care, with a validity period makes peace possible and contributes to the of two years. replacement of the culture war by a culture of After the two-year period expires, the Cent- peace. er for Social Work shall decide on the extension A tolerant person is not a person who makes or termination of the certificate of foster care, concessions, but a soft person, who holds their valuing the success of accomplishing the foster beliefs, but also accepts the fact that others role, based on the monitoring of the foster fam- are entitled to their beliefs, and that every hu- ily; that is, the report of the Center for Foster man being is equally valuable and has the right Care on the re-assessment of the foster family. to be who they are. The foster parents have the right to appeal The institution of regional ombudsman has against the decision of the Center for Social assessed on the occasion of the International Work in case they do not get general eligibility Day of Tolerance, that the society in Serbia for foster care. should put more efforts for the tolerance to be- Aleksandra Mićić come the rule rather than the exception.

26 Human rights

Commissioner for Equality, Brankica about other people’s differences we learn about Janković, said on the occasion of this day that the world that we do not know well enough. Af- since the beginning of the year, the number ter all, learning about different, and re-evalu- of Serbian citizens who have filed complaints ating your values, priorities and beliefs. People of discrimination is rising, and that most com- who are different with their lives and lifestyles plaints are related to discrimination in employ- do not disturb others around them but only ment. members of a minority and as such have the Tolerance, however, is no mere appreciation right to be part of the motley majority. These of the diversity of other people, race and na- are different people of different ethnic, sexual tion, tolerance is a way to improve our personal and religious beliefs, the sick, the poor, the el- development. By acknowledging and learning derly, refugees and handicapped.

How to prevent intolerance? Education is the most effective means of preventing intolerance. Educa- tion should be considered an urgent imperative. Therefore it is necessary to promote systematic tolerance teaching methods that will address the cultur- al, social, economic, political and religious sources of intolerance - the main root of violence.

 Ljiljana Maričić

27 NGO Roma Educational Center

oma Educational Center register of births and so far we munities) to be accepted and Rwas founded as a non- have brought about 90 people acknowledged as a member partisan, non-profit and non- to enroll later. In parallel, we and allowed to participate governmental organization in collaborate with other organi- with activism in creating an 2005 with the mission of Roma zations dealing with the same equal society. As part of this Inclusion into the local com- issue. Those are “Praxis” and process, a segment of personal munity on the territory of Ser- “Help the Children” from Bel- responsibility to act is always bia. The term “inclusion” is grade. So far, we are proud that present. viewed as a series of complex we have over 3,500 personal activities whose goal is to cre- documents renewed and that Xenophobia ate conditions for the equal we have defined a new position Stevan Nikolić, director of integration of marginalized of the local community, and to the REC, says that Roma are so groups (like the Roma) into the Committee on Inter-Ethnic close and so far away from so- society. This is accomplished Relations in Peščara. Chairman ciety and that forms a differ- through capacity building and of the Board is of Roma ethnic- ent mindset in thinking about their active involvement in ity. The core work of this com- their belonging. When a com- integrative social processes. mittee is that if the court finds munity always lives separately, Stevan Nikolić, president of a misunderstanding between they form their own world, cul- the Roma Educational Center neighbors, that body sits as a ture of life and point a finger told us something more about peace council. “ at the other. “Coincidentally, this association. I have traveled with migrants The vision of “Roma and my experiences were neg- Institutional cooperation Educational Centre” ative. It’s terrible that people system with NGOs The vision of REC is a are afraid of the unknown. From the perspective of society without prejudice, Roma live separately from oth- the NGO sector, certain or- where an individual has a dem- er communities and therefore ganizations in Vojvodina and ocratic right to participate in are unknown, they’re a little Serbia have made a very good creating an environment that different skin and because of platform that concerns the will provide equal opportuni- that people are afraid. They engagement and defining po- ties to everyone. fear that Roma will take their sitions to set up pedagogical Representation and media- position, and do not realize assistants, health mediators tion of the REC works towards that we are stronger together, and Roma Coordinators and it the implementation of exist- “said Nikolić. He pointed out is very important that the re- ing measures and proposes that the development of inclu- lationship between the insti- new for the advancement of sion rather depends on politi- tutional system and the non- Roma communities in the re- cal will. “It took a lot of time governmental sector is not gion. They promote all human win and have pedagogical as- interrupted. “We have to be rights and educate environ- sistants. Sixteen years have unique because time is not a ment that fosters diversity as passed and we were able to renewable resource, and we a top value. They advocate introduce them into the school have huge problems on the “living with each other” and system, but their position has field, such as people who do not “next to each other.” It is not not been defined. not have identity documents. a necessary prerequisite for The state has taken a loan Back in 2005/6, we registered the Roma national community of 12 000 000 euros, 8 500 124 persons in Subotica in the (and other marginalized com- 000 is earmarked for training,

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and 3 500 000 was given to cess must not be blocked. No tion with its performance and schools to improve the quality one has the right to say how results when it comes to the of early development. School far someone could prosper. education of Roma children. in Bor, which was in the pro- Therefore, the inclusion is un- In order to provide conditions gram, received about 30 000 limited, “says Nikolić. for ensuring quality-teachers euros. During the school year, in the education an institu- 16 children were transferred The results so far tion, they sought to establish to special classes. Of 125 chil- “Knockout Dropout” was partnerships with the respon- dren, 119 were Roma. Why? the last done project related sible institutions whose task Because it is a tradition that to the prevention of children is to monitor the performance their grandfather was in a spe- dropping out from the edu- of schools. Roma Education cial class, their dad and so the cation system and is funded Centre has signed cooperation grandson should be. However, by the Swiss Organization agreements with school ad- thanks to a courageous coor- Pestalozzi. It is implemented ministrations in : Sombor, Novi

At the premises of the Roma Educational Center dinator, this information was in Subotica, Kragujevac, Novi Sad and Zrenjanin, as well as leaked and then we went to Sad and Vranje. the Protocol on joint activities the meeting in order to resolve Roma Education Centre with the Secretariat of Educa- this issue, and we succeeded, has excellent cooperation with tion, Roma Inclusion Office of “said Nikolić. He also partici- educational institutions in the the AP Vojvodine and the three pated in school desegregation territory Subotica: preschool mentioned school administra- in Apatin where children were “Our Joy”, elementary school tion services for the imple- in a separate building for 25 “Matko Vuković”, “Djuro mentation of inclusive educa- years. Desegregation lasted Salaj”, as well as adult educa- tion in Vojvodina. for 4 years. “These are chang- tion school, where most of the es in state in our society where projects in the education pro- we learn how to live with each gram are being realized. other. When we look at the re- Roma Educational Center gion, we are proud to say we managed to establish itself as a work well, but the path to suc- leading cooperation organiza-  Ljiljana Maričić

29 NGO

YES, THAT’S ME “KAL is a band that not only represents Romani music, but speaks volumes about its people.” Dragan Ristić, Kal

Art exhibition “Famous Roma”

30 NGO

tal for the Roma national mi- nority, not only in Serbia but in Europe as well. Dragana Rajić, from the KNOW HOW Center, empha- sized that the Roma should be more vocal, not silent and that her organization, as a Center, build capacities of young Roma who will be tomorrow’s Roma elite and will have the pow- er to loudly and clearly say: “Yes, I am Romani and I am not ashamed of it, and I want to ithin the project of the successful Roma because change things in society. “ the Roma Cultural only a few people know their The traveling wagon is WCentre “Romani cara- origin. He added that this is a conducted by KAL band with van of Art”, in Novi Sad, the completely different concept the Roma Cultural Center, as- event was held under the mot- of presenting Roma popula- sociation of intellectuals of to “Yes, that’s me” with the tion, which is the essence of Roma and non-Roma origin, aim of educating the majority the project. founded as a non-partisan and of the population – to show on Zoran Tairović, painter, non-profit organization whose the examples of good practice said that this is a manifesta- main goal is cultural affirma- that Roma people have the po- tion of enormous cultural capi- tion of the Roma. tential and that they endowed both Serbian and the world cultural heritage. The project is being realized with the or- ganization Civil Rights Defend- ers in several cities in Serbia. Guest performance in Novi Sad is the fourth traveling caravan. It started in Decem- ber 2014, in Smederevo, and continued the way during 2015 through Požega, Belgrade and Sombor. For the next year are planned performances in 15 cities in the region. Dragan Ristić, director of the Roma Cultural Center, said the photo exhibition “The Most famous Roma people in the world” was a way to show  Ljiljana Maričić

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