POSITIVE STORIES OF INTEGRATED ROMA IN THE SOCIETY IPA Cross-Border Programme 2007-2013, IPA 2009, 2010 and 2011 annual allocations, Economic, Environment and Social Development Grant Scheme Project: DAYS OF ROMA CULTURE Aim of the project is: Socio-cultural approach for social cohesion and introducing the Roma in society, learning of cultural and traditional values, positive examples of education, exchange information and experiences between Roma and others. Authors: ASSOCIATION INSOC - INITIATIVE FOR SOCIAL CHANGE - SKOPJE Miladin Popovic 4-1a, 1020 Skopje | +389 2 61 42 690 | +389 2 61 42 690 [email protected] | www.insoc.org.mk EMANUEL MISSION - KORCA Dorcas Albania, Lagjia e Re e Sportit, Rruga e Unazes, Korce | +355 69 404 02 92 | +355 82 253 883 [email protected] | www.emanuelmission.org Partner: CENTER FOR DEVELOPMENT OF THE ROMA COMMUNITY - BAIRSKA SVETLINA - BITOLA Jorgo Kostovski bb, 7000 Bitola | +389 47 241 694 | +389 47 241 694 [email protected] | www.bairskasvetlina.org.mk Supported by: IPA Cross-Border Programme 2007-2013, IPA 2009, 2010 and 2011 annual allocations, Economic, Environment and Social Development Grant Scheme The content of this publication does not reflect the official opinion of the European Union. Responsibility for the information and views expressed in the publication lies entirely with the author(s). Contents Albert Memeti 8 Alketa Kurti 8 Arben Kosturi 9 Almira Redzepi 9 Arif Pini 10 Bashkim Hyka 10 Deniz Selmani 11 Danjel Hyseni 11 Drisilda Kulla 12 Elvis Shakiri 12 Engjellushe Kosturi 13 Engjell Rizvan 13 Erion Jonusllari 14 Ermira Kamberi 14 Feridiola Tare 15 Esmeralda Kulla 15 Iljaz Ismaili 16 Ipek Bajramova 16 Izet Hysa 17 Isna Skenderi 17 Kirshan Mamudoski 18 Kujtim Shabani 18 Miranda Fejzo 19 Letafet Isaki Shej 19 Mirsada Shabani 20 Muhamed Toçi 20 Nadire Rexhepi 21 Muhamet Rapi 21 Nesime Salioska 22 Olgerta Gorena 22 Ramiz Rustemov 23 Pranvera Guraj 23 Ruzhdi Hajredini 24 Shpëtim Xhambazi 24 Shazije Tonci 25 Saxhide Demiri 25 Rexhep Ali Çupi 26 Suad Skenderi 26 Vladimir Tanasica 27 Valbona Sula 27 ABOUT THE ORGANIZATIONS IMPLEMENTING THE PROJECT The Association Initiative for Social Change - InSoC - Skopje is a civil association founded in March 2009. The vision of InSoC is to upgrade each individual and society as a whole, which includes raising the value for sustainable development of democratic values, the rule of right / law, human rights and human capital, social change and equitable national development. The goal of InSoC is every individual in society to reach their maximum potential in individual development, and also society composed of such individuals to function harmoniously towards common sustainable development. Basic principle in the work of InSoC is to apply the values that promote democracy, rule of law, human rights and human capital with respect of the responsibility in work, empowerment of individuals and groups and their participation in the work, and equal opportunities, with a special focus on vulnerable groups, particularly Roma. Emanuel Mission Foundation is local NGO operating in the Region of Korca. It has a high profile as a Christian leading organization in Korca Region.Its mission is to better the spiritual, economic and social needs of people through the declaration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for all people without reservation and implementa- tion of educational, economical and humanitarian programs and activities for those in need. It organiza-tional structure includes a staff of 10 members devoted to fulfil the mission of the Emanuel Mission Foundation. Since 2007 Emanuel Mission has operated in the field of child abandonment at the orphanage and the maternity of the city of Korca with the purpose of reducing the number of abandoned children in the region of Korca. It has put back into the mothers’ arms more than around 30 babies who were left at the mercy of fate in the city orphanage. Actually it is implementing an EU funded project “Days of Roma Culture” in Korca Municipality, since September 2013. The overall objective of the project is “Socio-cultural approach for social cohesion and introducing the Roma in society, learning of cultural and traditional values, positive examples of education, exchange information and experiences between Roma and others”. The idea of forming Bairska Svetlina began with initiative of a group of young Roma enthusiasts in 2001, who recognize the problems that Roma are facing in Bitola and based on that they set a mission: “To facilitate the integration of Roma community in the society through education and economic development.” In the last period the organization was more active in the local level by representing the interests of Roma in Bitola. Through implementation of different kind of programs and projects, Bairska Svetlina has managed to inform the general public about ethno genesis and culture of the Roma population by organizing special events and activities. Bairska Svetlina has contributed in achieving positive changes in the Roma community, and they are seen in more serious approach in solving problems as a result of altered consciousness, and also the number of students in primary, secondary and higher education has increased. POSITIVE STORIES OF INTEGRATED ROMA IN THE SOCIETY Albert Memeti was born in Tetovo where he completed his primary and secondary education. He graduated in Economics in 2012 at the Department of Financial Management at the University of Economics in Skopje, Macedonia. During his studies he was an active member of the Roma NGO “Sonce”, Tetovo where he worked on various projects from 2006 to 2010. In 2009 he worked at ProCredit Bank, Skopje as an Advisor for information. In 2012 he successfully completed the preparatory program for postgraduate studies “Roma Access Program” (Department of Public Policy) of the Central European University in Budapest, Hungary. He is currently enrolled in a two year Master’s degree program at the Department of Economic Policy at the same university. His future plans are to Albert Memeti complete the Master’s degree and specializes in the field of economics. Albert is a young and promising Roma who is one of the first Roma students that will recieves a Masters degree in an international universities. 8 Alketa acquired her first working experience as a fish seller and later become a responsible person in this trade sector. She reached this due to her strong efforts and her positive behaviour and approach towards customers. She itself, indicates that this work helps her to integrate itself worthily in everyday social life in society. Her major difficulties were overcoming the bad economic conditions in Albania as a country in development and the low level of unemployment. Although, she have often faced with discrimination as well. She consider her profession good and decent and would not like to replace it with another . Her massage to Roma community is: “Roma people should Alketa Kurti take more initiatives and be more dedicated to work, in that way they will not be anymore discriminated”. Almira Redzepi was born in 1990. She completed her secondary education at the High school „Kiril Pejcinovich“ in Tetovo. She graduated at the Faculty of Law at the University of Southeast Europe in Tetovo. In 2012 she enrolled in a master degree majoring criminal law at the same university. Since 2001 she is a volunteer in the NGO „Sonce“ until 2010 when she is hired as Program manager for education and culture of youth. She acquires a certificate and she works as trainer of the project “Skills for employment” by the USAID. She worked as a tutor of Roma children and she was involved at the Roma Cultural Centre “Darhia” where she worked as a mentor for thе promotion of Roma culture and tradition. In 2012 she obtained the certificate for Roma education mediator by the Council of Europe. In 2013 she worked on the project “Best Practices for Integration of Roma in the Western Balkans” - OSCE / ODIHR as a Roma focal point in the Commission for Protection against Discrimination and she organized informative workshops within the Roma communities in the Republic Macedonia. She is a person ready to advance, Almira Redzepi but also a person who wants to help her community. She is a young person who is willing to make changes. 9 Arben says that only by his continuing efforts as Human Rights activist has managed to address and identify the socio-economic problems and even the cases of discrimination of the Roma community. Putting these problems in the spotlight has been the greatest achievement for Arben, even though he has done many sacrifices. The greatest difficulty for all his years of work has been the fact that there has been no opportunity for him to accuse an authority for the discrimination against the Roma community as a consequence of the Albanian society in development. He thinks that the majority has considered him as an abuser, just because he has highlighted the Roma community’s right for which the authorities should have the main responsibility. He considers his profession as a positive one and is satisfied that serves the Roma community by contributing to their integration in the Albanian Arben Kosturi society. The message he conveys to his community is: “A flower does not bring the summer” - which means – there should be more activists who are eligible to work for the rights and integration of Roma community.” Arif Pini was born in Gostivar in 1977. He completed the primary education in Gostivar, the secondary education in Tetovo and he graduated from the Medical faculty in Skopje. He is doing his specialization in Internal medicine in Skopje. He represents a good example in the Roma community through his engagement as: a Doctor, as a Professor in vocational subjects in secondary medical school in Gostivar, as a member of the City Council in the Municipality of Gostivar, as Head of the group of Experts on Health established by European Center for Minority Issues – ECMI from Flensburg – Republic of Germany, and as a Coordinator of the Project “Mentoring” supported Arif Pini by World Bank, etc.