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A Monthly Periodical of The Roma Inclusion Office

The Roma Decadein

AP Vojvodina

The Roma Decadein

AP Vojvodina

no. 37, april 2014.

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The founder and the Publisher of the Periodical:The Roma Inclusion Office

of the Government of AP Vojvodina

Editor in Chief:Duško Jovanović

Managing Editor:Aleksandra Mićić

The Team:Dragana Rajić

Zita FarkašTijana Čubrilo

Jovana DavidovićEmil Šrajber

Correspondents:Roma Coordinators of APV

Ivana Koprivica

Translation into Roma:Igor Dimić

Translation into English:Ana Kozlovački

Technical Preparation and Printing:MONDO-GRAF, Novi Sad

www.mondograf.co.rs

Circulation: 1000

Address: Bulevar Mihajla Pupina 25,21000 Novi Sad

INTRODUCTIONDear Readers,You are holding the April issue of The Roma Decade

in AP Vojvodina magazine. The first part of this issue is dedicated to the

International Roma Day. We atended the celebration of this international holiday at the Assembly of AP Vojvodina, Association of Roma Students and National Theatre in Belgrade.

In the Coordinators for Roma Issues section, there is an interview with the Coordinator for Roma Issues for Zrenjanin, Dobrila Nikolić.

Employment features two articles. The first one writes about the employment of ten Roma nationals in Sombor, while the other one about the results of PGF team.

Marking ten years of work internship program of the University of Novi Sad, the interview with the rep-resentative of the Youth Association of Serbia, and Aleksandra Aleksandrović’s study on Roma culture and tradition are presented in the Education section.

Social protection presents you the Net-age project.The NVO section follows the award winning cere-

mony of the Golden Wheel to the Ecumenical Humanitarian Organization and two book promotions and a painting exibition by Maja Familić.

Culture features Roma myths and legends, as well as the book «History of Roma Literature» by Rajko Đurić.

Roma in the world features a story about one of the top ten flamenco dancers in the world, Joaquín Cortés.

We hope that this issue will also fulfill your expec-tations and we expect your suggestions and criticism, so that we can achieve a better quality together.

Your editorial board

2 The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina

In addition to representatives of Government of AP Vojvodina and the University of Novi Sad, representatives of local govern-ments, councils of national minor-ities, Roma NGOs, as well as other public and cultural figures all attended the ceremony.

Rich cultural program of Roma students of the Academy of Arts at the University of Novi Sad, Department of Music, elementary school pupils and Romani theater “Suno e Rromengo” from Novi Karlovci enriched this celebration.

Gold medal was awarded to Director of the Roma Inclusion Office for all the efforts invested in improving the position of the Roma youth, on behalf of the Youth Association of Serbia. Vojvodjanska banka provided a laptop for students of the Preschool Teacher Training College „Mihailo

Palov” in Vrsac, Department for Teachers in Romani.

The slow process of Roma integration

Director of the Roma Inclusion Office, Duško Jovanović, congrat-ulated his compatriots this great holiday at the very beginning of his address, while warning the institutions that the process of Roma integration must take place quicker and more vigorously.

Jovanović also sought to focus the attention of the public to the ongo-ing extremely difficult position of Roma community.

“This day provides a motive to analyze the work of the Office in the past year, and to reflect together with the relevant institutions and organizations on the period behind

us and on what has been done, and on what is yet to come. Unfortunately, the process of the Roma integration has been slowed doen. Lack of funds is the most frequently used excuse which causes a slowdown. Fortunately, problems in AP of Vojvodina are still amortized.”

Pointing out to the fact that the problems of Roma cannot be solved without the presence of Roma in institutions, Jovanović

International Roma Day

INTERNATIONAL ROMA DAYRoma Inclusion Office, together with the Government of AP Vojvodina and Association of Roma

students at the University of Novi Sad marked the International Roma Day, on April the 8th, at the Assembly of AP Vojvodina.

The decision to mark the International Roma Day on April the 8th was made at the f irst International Roma Congress, held in London from 4-8th of April 1971. By adopt-ing the Declaration that con-demns every form of national, religious or racial intolerance, introducing the language, flag, anthem and the term “Roma”, World Roma Organization paved the way for the integra-tion of Romani community into the society. Today’s aspirations of Roma are intertwined between the traditional and integrative in order to provide a better status in the society with education, to influence allevia-tion of poverty and to improve the role of this community in the society.

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Director of the Roma Inclusion Office

�The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina

listed Sector for improving the position of Roma at the Provincial S ecretar iat for Economy, Employment and Gender Equality as an example of good practice.

At the end of his address, Jovanović presented three projects that the Office is currently implementing. The first two are financed by the Open Society Foundation Budapest: the first project is Capacity Building of the Roma Inclusion Office of AP Vojvodina and the second one is a project entitled Building the Recycling Center. The third project deals with improving the employability of Roma women in AP Vojvodina and is financed by the Embassy of Norway.

Great progress in Vojvodina

While congratulating the holi-day on behalf of the Government of AP Vojvodina, the vice presi-dent of the provincial government and the provincial secretary for science and technological develop-ment, Professor Dr. Dragoslav Petrović said that the Government of Vojvodina, starting with the principle that everyone has the right to equal chances, made great efforts in the past years to improve the conditions for education, development and life of each indi-vidual and every family. He pointed out that, among the others, these activities were related to the entire educational system that represents the key element, as in forming the personalities, as well as in prepar-

ing the youth for the possibilities to create and participate in the business, cultural and every other segment of life.

„Without a doubt, great progress has been made in the Province. Only in the last three years, 247 students of Roma nationality were enrolled to the state university and 217 additional students were enrolled to nine col-leges in Vojvodina”, said Prof. Petrović and the before-mentioned Preschool Teacher Training College „Mihailo Palov” in Vrsac as an example.

The vice president of Government of AP Vojvodina stated that great efforts were made in the past couple of years in improving the living conditions of Roma population through the Capital Investment Fund. A series of adaptations of housing object for Roma families has been imple-mented, as well as a series of projects related specifically to Roma settlements and improving their infrastructure. Petrović

announced the continuation of those activities, as well as the use the budget funds for stimulating the participation in projects,

intended for applying for EU funds for improving the living and work-ing condit ions of Roma population.

Perseverance in the struggle for improving the Roma position

Presenting the work and efforts of the Provincial Secretariat for Economy, Employment and Gender Equality, Secretary Miroslav Vasin emphasized the importance of the annual gather-ing and marking this significant holiday.

“This day serves as a reminder for all of us and to focus on the condition and facts which the Roma community faces in our country, Europe and in the world. Globally looking, the improvement is lagging behind in this field. AP Vojvodina is a light pebble in a dark mosaic. This is a European region that is a leader in attracting the foreign investments, the repre-


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With representatives of the Youth Union of Serbia


sentation of gender equality, and also in improving the Roma posi-tion. We make efforts to instill the awareness of citizens of Vojvodina that our civilizing mission is to improve the position of this poor community. That struggle for the system of value that characterizes our province must be preserved. ”, said Vasin and stated that there are still children in the 21st century who go to bed starving from hun-ger, live in mud huts and in living conditions that are below any standard.

Examples of good practice in employment and education

The Assistant Secretary of the Provincial Secretary for Economy, Employment and Gender Equality, in charge of the sector for improv-ing the Roma position, Slavica Denić, presented four new Calls for applications in this field. The Calls were announced on 2nd of April 2014, and Secretariat allo-cated the funds in total of five mil-lion dinars. Three calls are intended for cities and municipal-ities from AP for co-financing the development of local action plans for improving the Roma position, than for contracting Coordinators


“Roma children in separate classes, peer violence against Roma children, cutting Romani language out of the curriculum, accentuat-ing the nationality of criminal offenders in case of Roma nationals - there are just some of the examples of media coverage of Roma in the last year.

According to the data collected by the Commissioner for Equality, out of the total number of articles about the members of different national minorities, one third was related to Roma, and mainly because of the assaults, open calls to intolerance and various inci-dents. The picture formed in the media is a picture that later forms the awareness among citizens, and this is why it is important to intro-duce the public with the good examples. Among the Roma, there are those who complete university studies, are excellent students, active socially, economically independent and successful in their respective professions. Let’s find those examples and present them in the best way possible. Let’s affirm the potentials of Roma people, to point to their contribution in this society, and to show there are Roma who managed to overcome huge obstacles and achieve their goals. Let them serve as good examples to Roma children and to all of us.

80% of Roma say they didn’t feel the benefits of previous meas-urements and activities aimed at improving the Roma position, and they still feel discriminated in all areas. That is why the International Roma Day should additionally remind us that as a society, we have the responsibility to enable every Roma child to live in a society where they could achieve their talents, gain knowledge and acquire skills. Only with join efforts in fight against stereotypes, prejudice and dis-crimination and by solving the problems that Roma face as being a primary political and democratic issue, will we manage to achieve the goal which we set as a society.”

Statement of CPE Source:

http://www.ravnopravnost.gov.rs/sr/aktuelno/svetski-dan-roma

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5The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina

for Roma Issues and for co-financ-ing projects for education of Roma children aged from 5th to 8th grade. The fourth Call is intended for Roma non-profit organiza-tions, i.e. civic associations for financing projects in the field of gender equality in Roma commu-nity, in the amount of million dinars.

Slavica Denić also emphasized that the examples of good practice are seen in the areas of employ-ment and education, specifically in Vojvodina.

At the end of her address, she wished the Roma population as many enrolled students, as well as graduates.

Mutual respect – prerequisite for success

Petar Nikolić, president of the Roma Integration Council of AP Vojvodina said that the sistem of equal opportunities is promotes in the right manner in Vojvodina: “Problems of the Roma are here dealt together with the Roma pop-ulation, at the institutions, and that is a model that we can rightfully call European Roma Policy.”

Nikolić also stated that the identities of those who abused the funds provided from the funds for Roma integration and inclusion need to be investigated.

At the end of his address, Nikolić said that the success in this process in only possible with great mutual respect, and to speak with evidence, not emotions.

Jovana Davidović

A JOINT MESSAGE FROM STUDENTSRoma Students Association, Association of Students at

the University of Novi Sad, and the Initiative of Roma Female Students together with the Cultural Center of Novi Sad all celebrated the 8th of April, International Roma Day.

The program followed the playing of both Roma and Serbian anthems, with the purpose of the program being to present all talents of Roma pupils and students, as well as the talents of their guests, and also the cultural richness, his-tory and tradition of Roma nation.

A documentary about the successful Roma students was screened, clothes which made out of recycled materi-als, poetry was recited in Romani, a paper of a student at the Academy of Art was presented, and there were aphorisms, sketches, rapping. Hosts were talking about famous Roma in the world, for whom the general public doesn’t even know were Roma, and who left a great mark with their music, mov-ies, literature. Member of GRUBB took the stage and performed dance choreogra-phies and singing acts.

The central part of the ceremony was the awarding the almanac with messages of positive affirmations for stu-dents at the University of Novi Sad to Roma students. Messages were collected a day in advance at the University Square, when all students got

the opportunity to write mes-sages for their Roma col-leagues. Representatives of Students from Faculty of Medicine, faculty of Law, Faculty of Science, Faculty of Technical Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and faculty of Philosophy, on behalf of their colleagues, conveyed best wishes and sincere congratu-lations to Roma students for the International Roma Day. They were all-unique and emphasized the importance of education and training, and expressed their hope that in the years to come, there will be more Roma students. Education is the safest way to raise the awareness about their own culture and to cre-ate opportunities for the improvement of the position of Roma.

Roma students showed with this that their culture and tradition could and should be cherished and preserved, so in the future to have young and educated people to take care of it. This is why the support Roma students received from their colleagues from the University of Novi Sad is of paramount importance.

Tijana Čubrilo


� The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina


„CARMEN” FOR INTERNATIONAL ROMA DAY On the occasion of International Roma Day, on Tuesday, April the 8th, opera by Georges Bizet,

“Carmen”, was performed at the Great Stage, directed by Nebojsa Bradic and the conductor Ana Zorana Brajović.

Aleksandar Angelov portrays the title character, while the part of Mikaela was entrusted to a visitor - soprano voice, Natasa Tasic Knezevic, a member of the Roma national minority.

Admission for Roma students

Before the show, a reception was held at the Museum of National Theatre for a group of fif-teen members of the Roma popu-lation, otherwise excellent students from several high schools in Belgrade, who live in slums, in Krnjača.

The friendly atmosphere, vice director of the Opera Jelena Vlahovic, director of the Museum of National Theatre Dragan Stevović, Principal Opera Artist, Jasmina Trumbetaš Petrovic and soloist Natasa Tasic Knezevic.

Stevović told them about the history of the National Theatre in Belgrade, as well as about the

numerous activities of the museum, whi le Vlahovic , Trumbetaš-Petrovic and Tasic-Knežević tried to get them better acquainted with the opera “Carmen”, which they watched that night for the first time.

Carmen - gentle, wild and free

Vlahovic, who has been sing-ing the title role in this opera mas-terpiece, explained that the hero-ine “can be both gentle and wild, but always has to be a person who strives for freedom”.

- When she falls in love, Carmen does it till the end. When she falls out of lave, she leaves without any compromise. There is no force that can prevent it. It is a role that is not as demanding for singing, but it is physically. For me it was a major challenge, because I was given it at the begin-ning of my career - said Jelena Vlahovic.

Temperamental Carmen and Tosca

Trumbetaš-Petrovic, who has played the character of Mikaela for years, said that the role “is not at all naive, because it is necessary to have good technique for it”.

In the context of character, she noted that in that view, Carmen and Tosca are very similar.

- Both are temperamental, character personality which you love and hate till the end, or, as the saying goes, they do not save them-selves - said Trumbetaš-Petrovic.

The future of Roma is in their hands

Tasic-Knežević, who debuted at the National Theatre in 2010, precisely in “Carmen”, with the role of Frasca, said she was very excited on the eve of every performance in that opera house.

- Also, I’m excited because I will be singing in front of you, because I think that the future of us Roma lies within you - said the artist, who has completed post-graduate studies at the Faculty of Music in the class of Višnja Pavlovic Drakulic.

In the end, the representative of the “Circle of Arts”, Ema Gočević, presented to each of the students an appropriate gift on behalf of that charity organization.

Jovana Davidović

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At the Opera performance


* What are the activities organized within the Decade of Roma related to education, employment, housing and human rights?

- When it comes to education, we solve problems with documents related to registering children or parents, because sometimes the parents do not have the necessary documentation and we must first solve their documentation and only after that can we solve the documentation for their child. This initiative was started in year

200�, by a non-governmental organization “Lodestar”, and ever since, parents have acquired a very great and a good habit to do it without our support.

As for education, when I started working as a coordinator in 2007, , we received a joint deci-sion with social activities after fif-teen days, that all children whose parents receive social assistance, regardless of their nationality, are entitled to free textbooks for pri-mary school up to 8th grade. It works even today, and they also

have the right to free lunches, day trips and anything else that other children who come from disad-vantaged families receive. Children who are enrolled in high school get three types of scholarships, two of which are funded by the state, from the Provincial Department of Education and the Ministry of Education, and the third scholarship is provided by the Roma Education Fund from Budapest, which went primarily to those who enrolled into medicine, but bas later on changed in such

CONVERT WEAKNESSES INTO STRENGTHDobrila Nikolić has worked as a coordinator for Roma issues at the City of Zrenjanin since 2007, but

under a service contract. The position of the Coordinator for Roma issues is not systematic. In an interview for our magazine, she presented her activities in the field of Decade of Roma Inclusion, pointing out that education is the weakness of Roma. .

Coordinator for Roma Issues

One of the coordinators - Dobrila Nikolić

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Coordinator for Roma Issues

an order that even others can receive scholarship under the con-dition they have enrolled to higher education.

Regarding the employment, we got lucky with “Draexlmaier”, a German cable factory which opened in 2008, where we employed about a hundred Roma permanently. The problem appeared after the introduction of a visa-free regime, when many left their jobs, and a few months later when they returned, we were able to re-hire some, but some unfortu-nately weren’t able to get their jobs back.

As for housing, there are major difficulties that are unsolvable for the simple reason that the City Administration is unable to do legalization. Each year we try to solve the problem in one of the three largest Roma settlement, Surdučka, where problems arise when it rains and access becomes impossible. Children step out of their houses in clean clothes, but when they get to the yard, they’re all muddy. Another problem are infections that are spread from a nearby canal, and many have prom-ised that everything will be resolved, but given that their words serve mainly as a political market-ing, so far nothing has been done about these problems. I commend the Ecumenical Humanitarian Organization in Novi Sad, who helps us annually, by sending tools for seven or eight people, provide free courses through which they can receive a certificate that can help in seeking employment, and some Roma even received material for bathroom. Ecumenical Huma-

nitarian organization was willing to enter into this settlement in order to assist in the house paint-ing work, and help with the bath-room equipment where necessary. The project failed to be realized because the city administration did not do their part, and the streets have not received any road or sewer.

Naturally, everyone should be equal in being entitled to all human rights, but Roma often face dis-crimination, and discrimination is a double-edged sword. It has two beginnings and two ends.

*How would you describe your cooperation with local governments, provincial and national authorities?

- I always find good people and good cooperation, whether in terms of local government and provincial and republican authori-ties. I can say that I have good cross-border cooperation with reg-istry services such as Germany, Italy, and France.

* How do you promote Roma culture and tradition?

- We try to present the his-tory of Roma through projects and media in a better light, to talk about famous Roma and to point out that anyone can be suc-cessful if they work hard. The elderly Roma who survived the Second World War pass to us their life stories because unlike the Jewish people who were liter-ate and could have left written evidence of their history, the Roma history is largely passed on orally.

* What are the most common problems you face in your work?

- Problems are inevitable. The difficulty remains, mainly due to a lack of willingness to fulfill given promises, because people are still hopeful that someone will actually do something, and then they get disappointed. The coordinator should be someone who is willing to work with everyone.

* How would you describe one of your working days?

- This is not an easy task. I try to separate work from home, but when I see some really sad things I cannot just forget about it, because it leaves a mark. But it’s not always black, when I con-vey good news to someone, that makes me happy, too. When you need something in writing, I help them to write it, or if you do not know where to go to solve something, I take them.

*What are your suggestions for solving Roma problems?

- We lack education. We lack an incentive, someone to point out the opportunities that are off-ered to us even in gray economy.

For the end, we leave you with words of the coordinator, who tells her fellows nationals: “We should not fail under the notion that someone is better. Everyone is as good as they strive to be. You just need to convert weakness into strength and not give up”.

Emil Šrajber


Employment

EXAMPLES OF GOOD PRACTICE IN THE EMPLOYMENT SECTORSeminar on examples of good practice in the employment of Roma was organized by the Team for

Social Inclusion and Poverty Reduction Strategy and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe ( OSCE). The purpose of the seminar was to exchange success stories in the employment of one of the most vulnerable groups in Europe and the Republic of Serbia. In addition, one of the key objectives was to promote existing practices aimed at building human capital and local development which supports the inclusion of Roma.

Roma Inclusion Office for Roma of AP Vojvodina, JUROM Center, RIC, HELP and CARE have shown ways to use the exist-ing human capital and resources for economic development in the best way possible and put into operation the employment of Roma, and presented the success-ful users of the employment process.

The seminar was attended by representatives of the Council for Improving the Position of Roma and the Decade of Roma, the Office for Human and Minority Rights, Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Affairs, Delegation of the European Union, civil society organizations and representatives of civil soci-ety of Czech Republic, and the academic community of Spain, who presented examples of good practice in the employment area of Roma in Europe.

A new strategy until 2020

Suzana Paunovic, Director of the Office for Human and Minority Rights ( KLjMP ), wel-comed the participants on behalf of the Office and stated that the Office took over most of the activities for the coordination of line ministries in the Government of RS when it comes to the imple-

mentation of the Strategy for the Improvement of Roma Position in 2012. She states that they do not yet have reliable statistics on the success of the strategy since it was adopted, nor a clear sys-tem of monitoring the imple-mentation of the strategy. KLjMP has been working to establish a new mechanism that will allow for the strategy and the action plan to be based on a clear sys-tem for monitoring results. Monitoring the implementation of the Strategy for the possibility of looking at problems and inter-ventions in specific sectors is one of the main problems in the implementation of the Strategy. There must be more accounta-bility of each line ministry for activities that have been agreed.

KLjMP will work in future on the adoption of a new strategy until 2020, as well as on the for-mation of a new strategic frame-work for the functioning of the Government of RS when it comes to the inclusion of Roma. Suzana Paunovic said on this occasion that KLjMP supports the estab-lishment of the social inclusion, stating that 2.� billion from the RS budget earmarked funds for various vulnerable groups. Only �� % of the funds were spent, which means that budget funds

haven’t been distributed well.

Capacity building at the local level

Ljiljana Džuver, Deputy Minister for Labor, Employment and Social Policy (MLESP), said that Roma mark an important place within the vulnerable groups in the labor market. Since 2009, Roma are able to profess on national basis without discrimi-nation and thus to engage in active employment measures at the NES. The number of Roma who have used subsidies or are employed by an employer is not great. You must take into account the poor educational structure of the Roma population, because the low level of education is the general factor of unemployment. Therefore, it is necessary to take measures for including Roma in the education system. In the last three years, a large number of Roma has been included in a functional training for adults. More than 22,000 Roma are reg-istered as unemployed and a large number of people is interested in trainings for starting a business, ie. entrepreneurship trainings. For other types of training, there is much interest, a large number of Roma is not included in the public works, because there are


Employment

The voice of Europe

Mihal Miko, from Czech Republic, presented the project “Improving the position of Roma in Prague in the labor market”. The project is a long-term (includes age ranges from 15 - 55 years). In 2011, �00 Roma participated in the project, and �7 got employed. Project activities include: in partner-ship with another organization, conduct pleas to potential customers, visits to Roma communities, motivation trainings, employment seeking trainings, retraining... The employers get subsidies for wages, for the first � months for Roma, in order to gain experience in their firms. Salary of 450 euros is payable from a specific fund, instead of the employers’ incomes. Project Assistants are in daily contact with cus-tomers, RCs, local governments, local self-governments. Individual plan is being made for each user and their development is monitored. The total project budget is around 150 000 euros for a period of 2 years. Retraining courses are paid out of project funds. The price depends on the profile of vocational training, an average of �00 euros. In the previous period, 25 people were employed, and by the end of 2014, they are hoping the number will be slightly higher.

David Berna Serna from Spain said that his team is focused on working with Roma women. Roma in Spain, namely women are more vulnerable and prone to discrimination. Women’s associations in Catalonia, SURT, performs a program of vocational training for young Roma women, who are an inte-gral part of the Leonardo Da Vinci (EU 1999 - 2000). The target group were Roma from Barcelona and from the surrounding area. Number of participants was 55. The project is directly intended against social exclusion of Roma women, especially the most vulnerable ones, such as young women. The aim was to encourage change through professional training that would include training in cultural values, recognition of the situation of Roma in society. The main objective was to formally employ them. Spain is a conservative society when it comes to the role of women. The role of Roma women work outside home is not acceptable. There was a change in the society after the project. Roma generally have only primary education in Spain, vocational training were different profiles (cashier, trader...), and after the project 18 % of the women were given employment in shops such as Zara, Mango.

Roma Women Association from Barcelona has realized a program with non-refundable grants Dafne�, trainings for job posts in school cafeteria. The training is intended for Roma women who have no academic training, it lasts for �08 hours, and half of the training is conducted through theory and half through practical training. The second part of the course consists of practice in schools that are located near their homes.

Darko Rudes and Samjuel Friscic from Slovenia, members of the project team Romano ker, realize a project funded from Operational Programme for Human Resources. The model of “employment agents” has been applied for Roma community, they organize workshops and trainings for Rome to empower them to perform better in the labor market. This training is conducted through an individual approach, which is most effective.

In Slovenia, the unemployment rate in the Roma community is high. The labor market in EU is open to them, and is successful in supporting Roma to find employment in neighboring Austria. Between 400 - 500 Roma have found employment in Austria.


Employmentno jobs, “First we need to raise the capacity at the local level, a MLESP to work with “Twinning” project and other projects financed from IPA funds, so that the issue of the employment of Roma be specifically treated through preparation of local plans for”.

It is evident that there should be a better connection between Centers for Social Work and National Employment Service, in order to include the welfare recip-ients in active labor market measures.

Economic empowerment of Roma families

Osman Balic, a representa-tive of JUROM center believes that in the relation to the invested, too little has been accomplished.

Project of JUROM center for supporting employment has been implemented in the municipali-ties of Bujanovac, Vranje and Vladicin Han. Caritas is trying to reduce the number of false asy-lum seekers so they joined JUROM center. A team of local people has been formed, devel-oped a program to support infor-mal waste collectors and they were provided tricycles (50 pieces) which the users said were valuable to them. Presses for raw materials, trainings, and protec-tive equipment for work have been provided. Balic added that he gave up the model od state cooperatives, due to large state taxes, but formed a cluster of associations in recycling:

“These projects should be implemented by the local govern-

ment and the states, not NGOs such as Caritas. A direct and immediate support is needed”.

Cooperation with local governments

Ana Molnar, HELP and Bosko Maksutović, the user of HELP said that giving in goods is a good model to ensure that the funds are being spent justly.

HELP projects are not goal oriented exclusively to Roma, but the Roma as a vulnerable cate-gory are often their customers (in 50 % of cases). HELP fosters pub-lic- private partnership agree-ment with the municipality in case someone gets help in goods or otherwise, it must be “com-pensated” through community service work for the community. Field check for the candidates who apply for assistance is performed.

HELP believes that it is a good practice to implement projects so that local communi-ties feel like it is their project, and not from some organization on the side.

Based on the joint conclu-sion of participants within the strategic framework it is impor-tant to define a sustainable model of Roma employment prospects for IPA and various other funds and projects. A broader approach to social inclusion is needed for improving the employment. It is necessary to involve other depart-ments of the Government of the Republic of Serbia, which have not been sufficiently involved when we talk about social inclu-sion of Roma, for example, agri-

culture and rural development. It is also necessary to strengthen the monitoring and evaluation of strategies for improving the situ-ation of Roma and related action plans, as well as better coordina-tion at the national and local lev-els. Social inclusion of Roma should be part of the regular activities of the institutions. What is important is the cooperation with civil society, as well as with other relevant partners. In the end, it is necessary to measure the direct results and effective implementation of the measures to be implemented and concerns about their sustainability.

According to the adopted recommendations of sectors, the focus should be on young Roma, as well as for successful models to be based on data, namely, on what happens in practice. Individual approach is needed, as well as empowering families, and economic empowerment of Roma families. A good example is shown to provide a service package combined mentoring and other business services. A direct, long-term, sustainable help is needed, maybe even the started project, but it takes the system to have a viable solution. There is not only one model of successful employment of Roma, it is necessary to take into account the regional diversity and the environment which provides sup-port and the exchange of experi-ences is certainly important in the group , as well as the promo-tion of good practice.

Mirjana Maksimović


Employment

RESULTS OF THE PGF TEAM VOJVODINA In March 2012, Know How Center started working of PGF program, (Project Generation

Facility, i.e. “Component for writing projects”) and worked hard throughout the year on empowe-ring Roma associations, but those associations and institutions that work for the welfare of Roma in Vojvodina. The Know How Center, now known as PGF Team Vojvodina, has gotten the chance, thanks to its great results, to continue working in the following 2013/2014 year, with the support of the Open Society Foundations within the MtM program (“Making the Most of the EU Funds for the Roma”).

The task of PGF Vojvodina team is to contribute to improv-ing the position of Roma popula-tion through mentoring support in project writing, organizing informative round tables, organ-izing trainings for writing and managing EU funded projects, and advocacy and support to Roma associations in opening channels of communication with

the local authorities and includ-ing them in the decision making process at the local level.

Support for project writing

Starting with March 201�, the Know How Center started providing free assistance to the institutions and associations in writing quality projects for European and National Calls,

with the help of its four consult-ants, with the goal to improve the position of Roma popula-tion. This assistance consisted of the support in the process of designing the project ideas, find-ing partners, mapping the appro-priate donors, and above all, the actual writing of project propos-als. Up so far, with the help of the Center, 8� project proposals

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Employmentwere written! Out of that number, 27 projects have been approved in the total of 745, 27�, �0 EUR. The results of 20 more project proposals are being awaited in total of 7�9.979,50 EUR.

Cooperation with the association “Roma Women

of Vojvodina”

In addition to these activi-ties, the Know How Center entered into cooperation with the Association “Roma Women of Vojvodina”, and jointly organized informative round tables about PGF services in Vojvodina. At the round tables, representatives of associations, institutions, compa-nies and media were all able to hear all details regarding the PGF program, to describe the issues at the field, which are the real needs of the place where they are com-ing from, and to ask the ques-tions they are interested in. A

total of 7 round tables were held, attended by �1 representatives from �0 associations and institu-tions. Round tables were held in Odžaci, Pančevo, Inđija, Novi Sad, Zrenjanin, Kikinda and Subotica.

Workshops organized by PGF team

PGF team of Vojvodina organized two two-day work-shops entitled “Preparation and managing the EU funded projects, aimed at improving the Roma position”, for repre-sentatives of associations and institutions in Vojvodina that write project proposals for EU Calls, aimed at improving the position of Roma population. 48 people attended the work-shops, and they largely contin-ued their cooperation with the PGF team, using their other services provided by the project.

PGF program in Serbia showed to be very successful and necessary for the further progress of the society. Due to great results, quality work and great motivation, the PGF program will continue to function in year 201�/2014. In addition to these projects, the Open Society Foundations will support programs Supplementary Grants (allocating funds needed for the associations to have as their own participation, in order to be eligible to implement the EU projects),as well as the mentoring program (mentoring support on behalf of experts, in the process of managing EU funded and appro-ved projects).

Tamara Paroški

In case you want to know more about the pGF program, or to use some of the above mentioned services, PGF team of Vojvodina invites you to contact them by using one of the following ways:

All information about the work of PGF team and news could be found at the PGF Serbia facebook page (www.facebook.com/pgfsrbija) or on their webpage (www.pgf.rs/index.php/sr/).

For specific information, questions and information, you can dial the Know How C enter at 021/�00��4; 0�0/5�50111, or write to off [email protected]; [email protected].

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Education

TEN SUCCESSFUL YEARSA program was organized at the Rector’s Office that presented the aims and achievements of the

Internship Program, on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the University program at the Assembly of Vojvodina, Government of AP Vojvodina, the provincial administration and funds, authorities and insti-tutions founded by the AP Vojvodina. In addition to interns who finished the program last year, the celeb-ration of this anniversary was also attended by the Rector of the University of Novi Sad, Milorad Vesković, president of the Assembly of AP Vojvodina, Istvan Pastor, Deputy Secretary for Science and Technology Goran Stojanovic and Advisor for Public Administration democratization Department of the OSCE Mission to Serbia, Karin Wagner.

The University Internship Program has been successfully implemented since academic year 200�/04, and the holder of the pro-gram is the University of Novi Sad, which implements the program on the basis of the Agreement on Cooperation with the Parliament and the Government of AP Vojvodina, and with the organiza-tional expertise and support of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Serbia. The aim of the Program is to enable the interns

to get directly acquainted with the work of the Assembly, the Government and other provincial authorities. Also, the goal is to establish a circle politically aware young people, dedicated to the democratic process. Upon comple-tion of the program, which lasts for six months, the interns receive a certificate that significantly enriched their business resumes. In addition to the practical com-ponent of the program, the interns have attended additional training

(workshops, seminars, lectures and visits to different institutions).

Entrepreneurial spirit

Rector of the University of Novi Sad spoke about the impor-tance and role of the University in the Program. University of Novi Sad, together with the Government of AP Vojvodina proclaimed year 2014 to be the year of employabil-ity. Through collaboration with the Assembly of AP Vojvodina, Government of AP Vojvodina, and

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Educationthe large number of local govern-ments, we are trying to make you to use your knowledge gained in aca-demic settings, and to apply it in real life situations. Internship has enabled the students to experience how one working day looks like. Appropriately, we have tried to pro-vide you with certain possibilities and therefore would like to thank all those who support this action in addition to the University. Vesković emphasized that the University of Novi Sad increasingly pushes entre-preneurship, because the state can-not solve all problems for us, we need your knowledge and entrepre-neurial spirit and for you to try to create your own product and then offer and sell that product, and

make means for living to yourself, and then to people around you this way. “Entrepreneurial logic should

prevail, especially in you, and with the support of our older and more experienced colleagues, and then at some point, that becomes the pre-vailing spirit that will form the eco-nomic environment of the Republic of Serbia. I want to thank you for adequately representing the University of Novi Sad, and I believe that the knowledge you have gained through this internship will be useful in the future”, con-cluded the rector.

Strong University

In addition to the Government of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, the Assembly of AP Vojvodina is also an important pil-lar of the implementation of the

Internship, so, accordingly, the pres-ident of the Assembly addressed the audience. Istvan Pastor stressed the

importance to have a strong univer-sity, with good human resources, institutional, well equipped, in order to create the possibility for our tomorrow to be better. In his opin-ion, the University of Novi Sad is one of the best brands of Vojvodina today, and the measure of the suc-cess of the university are its prod-ucts, ie . young people who gradu-ate here. “In difficult times, when the state is the largest employer, we provided the best opportunity for young people who cannot find jobs in the labor market, and are waiting for a job, to enrich their theoretical knowledge acquired at the univer-sity through work internships. I thank all those who have gone through this program, I thank the

mentors, and I am pleased to say that 19 % of those who went through the program of work internship

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Educationobtained employment in the pro-vincial administration. This is important for the provincial gov-ernment, because this way, it improves its own capacity”. President of the Assembly, as well as Rector pointed out that the state is important, but that the state should not be the largest employer in this country. The greatest success would be if young people found a job in the private sector after graduation.

In the name of the responsible Secretariat for Higher Education, the Provincial Secretariat for Science and Technological Development, the audience was addressed by Deputy Secretary, prof. Dr. Goran Stojanović, who said that he was always glad when all involved par-ties benefit from a project, with the Internship program being a typical example. “Students gain valuable experience in the institutions where they did their internship, and on the other hand, our institutions benefit because young people always bring new energy and new knowledge”, says Stojanovic. The importance and relevance of the Program is reflected in a large number of stu-dents, much larger number of appli-cants than the number of free posi-tions. The desire of the Provincial Secretariat for Science and Technological Development is to create the conditions in which stu-dents could do internships in the business sector. Finally, he expressed his hope that this program still con-tinues to exist for mutual benefit and satisfaction.

Long-term support

The Program of work intern-ship was launched in the academic

year 200�/2004 on the initiative of the OSCE Mission to Serbia. Their support is present even today, and is reflected in the contribution of staff and experts of the OSCE, edu-cational and other facilities that are organized for the interns, along with work internship. Karin Wagner, Advisor for Public Administration of the Department of Democratization Department, OSCE Mission to Serbia, expressed satisfaction that she can address everyone on behalf of the OSCE Mission to Serbia, on the tenth anniversary of the program of work internship. “We are excited and proud to see that this program has been successful for ten years and the program has become self-sustaining, which is a clear sign of its success and commitment of all stakeholders”. OSCE has supported this program for two main reasons: first, it provides excellent opportu-nity for young people to gain their first work experience, and second, young people get familiar with the principles and procedures of dem-ocratic governance. Another posi-tive result of this program of work internship is that some of the train-ees get permanent employment in institutions of Vojvodina.” Yet, I would add that I agree with the previous speakers that it is impor-tant for young people to continue their careers, not only in the insti-tutions of public administration, but also in the private sector”. She wished to the University of Novi Sad and all institutions a success-ful continuation of this program, and to all practitioners to continue their fur ther profess ional development.

Summarized results

In honor of the tenth anniver-sary of the program of work intern-ship, C enter for C areer Development and Student Counseling of the University of Novi Sad prepared a short promo-tional video material, which depicted with pictures many par-ticipants of this program and activ-ities carried out.

�71 students participated in the program, and 101 student men-tors. In average, seven times more students applied than the required number of interns. Nevena Markov, from the Center for Career Development and Student Counseling, presented the results of research on the employment of the interns and the research on the ben-efits of the Program. Participants who were interviewed believe that the practical experience in the pro-gram they gained through the internship assisted them in career development, enriched their resumes, helped in gaining relevant competencies and experience, and a large number of interns contin-ued their professional development as a follow-up. The general conclu-sion was that the interns had multi-ple benefits from participation in the program of work internship.

At the end, president of the Assembly and Rector awarded the interns in the academic year 2012/201� certificates for success-ful completion of work internship.

Roma Inclusion Office has par-ticipated in the program of work internship since 2007, and had had more than 20 practitioners so far.

Tijana Čubrilo


EducationInterview with the president of the Youth Union of Serbia, Strahinja Stojkovic

SERVING THE YOUTHThe Youth Union of Serbia is an independent body that represents interests of all its members as to

improve the living conditions and better standards for youth in the Republic of Serbia. After years of success and ups and downs, the Union finally reorganized in October 2013, and became

open to all youth organizations and organizations dealing with youth. This way, it began serving once again as a service to young people.

Strahinja Stojkovic, president of the Youth Union presented their activities, goals and organization of the Union. He also conveyed a positive experience of the Union and its member organizations in the imple-mentation of projects for the integration of Roma and announced plans of the Union intended for the integration of Roma. As a solution to the problem young Roma are facing, Stojkovic perceives favoring higher education and self-employment.

*When was the Union foun-ded and why?

-The Youth Union traces its roots to the break of Yugoslavia, however, due to political turmoil; it hasn’t been active for many years.

The Union was renewed in 201� and re-registered in the Ministry for Youth and Sports. Tasks of the Union are to: connect youth organizations in the

Republic of Serbia, fight for the realization of their rights for equal working opportunities and fund-ing, participate in youth policies, create the basis for youth organi-zations, help them in writing and realization of international, national and local projects, as well as to present their work. In addi-tion to this, the Union organizes a large number of training sessions and seminars.

*Who are the member of the Union, and what is the working organization?

-The Union currently consists of twenty youth organizations from the Republic of Serbia.

After the re-reconstruction, reorganization was also performed. For easier association and net-working, the Youth Union is divided into four regions: Vojvodina, Belgrade, Central and

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EducationSouthern Serbia, each region has its own representative, who repre-sents the Union and serves the members of their region.

*Which projects have you implemented so far?

-To date, the Union has been a partner on the programs within the fund “Youth in Action”, funded by the European Union. Organizations, which are members of the Union, have extensive expe-rience both in local and interna-tional projects.

*What is your experience in work with Roma population?

-Previous experience of the Union in working with the Roma population is not large, but the organizations, members of the Union had really positive experi-ences in the implementation of projects related to Roma inclusion.

* You awarded the Roma Inclusion Office for great results on the International Roma Day. How did you come up with this idea?

-Gold Medal, awarded by the decision of the Presidency of the Union to the Roma Inclusion Office is a public recognition of the visible commitment of the Office to improve the lives of young Roma in Vojvodina.

*What are the plans of the Youth Union?

-As part of the curriculum for 2014, the Union has planned a number of projects in the field of

social inclusion of Roma, and thus will directly work on improving the lives of young Roma. Projects should be carried out in Vojvodina, as well as in other regions.

Also, one of the first steps is the establishment of a permanent seat in the presidency of the Union

for representatives of Roma population.

*What is your proposal for im-proving the position of Roma youth?

-The problem of Roma com-munity is national in character, and therefore we all ha ve to par-ticipate in its resolution. Through joint projects and cooperation, we will be getting closer to solving this very complex problem.

One of the suggestions for improving the lives of young Roma is favoring higher education and self-employment. In this way, young people will become inde-pendent economically and over-come the edge of existence.

D. J.

Example for the youth

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Tradition

CONTRIbUTION TO THE STUDY OF ROMA TRADITIONAt the Cultural Institute of Vojvodina, Citizens’ Association, “Phralipe” organized a promotion of eth-

nic studies among the Roma on the topic: “Gipsy - tunes for playing in two in Vojvodina”. This research represents a term paper by Aleksandra Aleksandrovic, a student of the Academy of Arts in Novi Sad, Department of Ethnomusicology.

At the beginning, the attend-ees were addressed by a represent-ative of the Department for Culture of Vojvodina and he expressed joy that there is new young profes-sional staff that will be able to help the Roma culture to fit into a wider

framework. Cultural Institute of Vojvodina is here to help, for such events to be still organized and to be raised to a higher level. With a warm welcome and a desire to present a pleasant feeling, he began presenting a seminar paper.

Academic work

Maja Jovanovic was a guide during the presentation, and at the outset she gave the word to Savi Aleksandrovic, who thanked eve-ryone on behalf of the Association

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Traditionof Citizens “Phralipe” which is the carrier of this project, to everyone who took the time to come and listen to the results of Aleksandra Aleksandrovic. He said that the association of citizens especially wants to help young Roma who have academic training and to provide support through their aca-demic and research work. “We will provide them with logistical sup-port, as much as we can, the rest is up to them”, said Sava Aleksandrović.

The presentat ion was attended by the seminar paper and Rajko Jovanovic, who expressed regret that such gather-ings and events that thematize Roma culture are not organized more often because they contrib-ute to the emancipation of the Roma and the preservation of Roma tradition. He presented some data from his own research on “”Gypsy Girl”, which were until now, and are relevant to the topic. He spoke about the importance of young Roma researchers and scholars for Roma nation and its position in society. It was an intro-duction to the central part of the event - the presentation of results and methodology of research.

A large number of variations

This paper came about as the result of field research in the municipality of Žabalj and Novi Sad, in October 201�, until February 2014. Eighteen instru-mental variations of “Gypsy Girl” were recorded, as well as a great number of dance variations. In addition, stories of older story-

tellers were noted down, who illustrated the old ways of per-forming the “Gypsy Girl”. Transcribing melodies and their analysis followed after the field research.

In order for us to better under-stand the essence of the dance and the melody of the “Gypsy Girl” in the rendition of the Roma, Aleksandra Aleksandrovic pre-sented general characteristics of dances for two, which are numer-ous in Vojvodina (Riči, Ja sam Jovicu, Todore, Sirotica, Ficko, ’Ajde malo Todore, Ruzma-rinka, Jabučica, Kisel vode, Keleruj).

The dance is consisted of two parts. In the first part, tempo is a bit slower, and in the other, it is usually with higher intensity turns.

The male dancer grabs the female dancer around the waist, and the female dancer puts her hands on his shoulders. The play is performed live, and the body is slightly tilted forward and that enables entanglement and decora-tion with feet. Male and female dancers perform the same steps, although it has been noted that the male dancer frequently dances his own variation of steps, while the female dancer performs basic model with much less ornamenta-tion. One of the main features of these games is the insertion of steps.

The main and the biggest difference between the Roma “Gipsy Girl” and its other recorded dance variations is reflected in the fact that, in any Romani variation, partners do not touch hands. All dance steps

identified during these field stud-ies are continuously varied, as is the case in pre- recorded exam-ples of games “Gypsy Girl”. It is very difficult to observe the same patterns in dance steps, indicat-ing a high degree of diversity and freedom in performing dance. “Gipsy Girl” has never been played twice the same way, there were always fluctuations, changes and insertions, as each dance seemed different.

As the “Gypsy Girl” falls under the category of dances for the rallying, competition of play-ers, as well as instrumental per-formance, this melody is aimed for the performer to express musical and technical possibilities of the instrument to the audience. Different musical variations depend on the performer’s talent and their need to express it. The volume of the melody is never fixed, but varies depending on the instrument and the method of performance, and it all contributes to the avoidance of monotony.

Alexandra Aleksandrovic came to a conclusion based on field studies and additional lite-rature on the subject of “Gypsy Girl” that there is a number of variations with present rich ornaments and improvisation in her performance as the main fea-tures, both in instrumental per-formance, as well as in dance and this is all in line with the Roma way of understanding life, where no discipline and bounda-ries could be overcome and curb the free spirit.

Tijana Čubrilo


Social protection

„NET AGE“Beginning with October 1st 2012, the implementation of the “Net Age” project began, in which the AP

of Vojvodina included two partners: Provincial Institute For Social Welfare and Novi Sad Humanitarian Centre, together with 10 other institutions and organizations from Italy, Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro and Albania. The carrier of the project is Italian region of Marche. The project duration is 3 years, until May 2015, and is financed from the IPA Adriatic and is worth 1,880,437.49 euros.

An aging population brings with it a number of challenges in providing assistance and pro-tection to the elderly, not only in the field of social welfare, but also in other areas of life, partic-ularly in the areas of health care (where it has increased the demand for services and pre-serving the mobility and health of an elder person); in the area of pension (resources) and disa-bility insurance. Due to the complex changes that occur at old age, there is an increasing need for the introduction of integrated social services to meet the needs of older people in a better way in local communities.

Project NET-Age aims to improve coordination between stakeholders from the public and private sectors, in order to overcome obstacles in the sup-port of elder people and to encourage local partnerships and partnerships throughout the Adriatic region, which will contribute to the provision of innovative social and health services to elder people to lead active, healthy and independent lives!

Goals and expectations

Full name of the project is “Promotion of regional social development that promotes net-working of relevant public and non-profit stakeholders to strengthen innovation in the pro-vision of social health services for people in the third age”.

Provincial Secretariat for He-alth, Social Policy and Demography provides full support for the imple-mentation of this project, as well as financial contribution to its implementation. Providing clear guidelines on the best ways that will help in order to meet senior citizens to the maximum and to contribute to quality aging process is expected from this project.

In accordance with the devel-opment plans of the social pro-

tection system in the AP Vojvodina, the new and enhanced existing services could be started through project activities, like objectives of the project, and the Secretariat expects recommenda-tions from project partners for further work in the field of eld-erly care.

The mobility program

CSV Marche is responsible for coordination within the fourth work package (WP4) enti-tled “The establishment of cross-border networks and joint deve-lopment of innovative manage- ment tools and capacity building”. Within NET-Age project, RP4 has a great role from a methodo-logical standpoint since it has a goal to lay the foundations both from the theoretical and practical

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Social protectionpoint of view in assisting the eld-erly. RP4 is built around basic networking activities, which is defined in the Memorandum of Understanding. All project part-ners are joining forces in a joint effort for the development and integration of networks in the Adriatic region.

Through study visits, training semi-nars devoted to spe-cific topics, work-shops and social events , mobi l ity becomes an opportu-nity for the transfer o f s k i l l s a n d knowledge.

Study Visit

Provincial Social Welfare Office ( PZSZ ) and Novi Sad Humanitarian Centre ( NSHC) hosted a study visit within the “Net Age IPA Adriatic”, together with the institutions and organi-zations involved in the care of elderly in Vojvodina. The visit

took place from 7th to 11th of April 2014. and during this period guests from Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro and Albania were able to see the

services that elderly receive in Subotica, Sremska Mitrovica, Ruma, Futog, Beocin and Novi Sad.

Within study visits, repre-sentatives of groups from Slovenia have established formal coopera-tion with the municipality of Sremski Karlovci and the Provincial Secretariat for

Economy, Employment and Gender Equality.

In Sremski Karlovci, repre-sentatives of groups from Slovenia have established coo-

peration with the mayor, as for the municipalities of Kanal ob Soci and Sremski Karlovci to continue their partnership, to work on various joint projects and activities.

Also, at the Provincial Se-cretariat for Economy, Employ-ment and Gender Equality, rep-resentatives of municipality

Kanal ob Sochi dis-cussed with the Secretary Miroslav Vasin te potential cooperation and con-necting these regions.

The participants of the study tour attended a ceremony to mark the Inter-national Roma Day, on 8th of April at the Assembly of Vojvodina.

Ivana Koprivica

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NGO

GOLDEN WHEEL FOR EHOAt the Belgrade Youth Center, the National Council of the Roma national minority, organized a gala

event, “A step in time”, marking the 8th of April, International Roma Day. On this occasion, the Council awarded the “Golden Wheel” for the outstanding contribution to the

inclusion of Roma in the Republic of Serbia, in the following categories: government institutions, embas-sies, international organizations, civil society organizations and individuals.

Ecumenical Humanitarian Organization (EHO) is one of the winners of this award. Robert Bu, deputy director of EHO, shared their impressions with us, who received this recognition on

behalf of the organization. In addition, Bu summarized previous results and unveiled plans of EHO in the field of Roma integration. Finally, he stressed that the agents of change in the inclusion of Roma must be precisely Roma, who have the capacity to do so within their communities.

* Each award is an incentive and an obligation. Tell us what you think of this recognition.

- Ecumenical Humanitarian Organization ( EHO) is one of the civil society organizations which received the award, the Golden Wheel plaque for out-standing contribution to the advancement of the status and

improving the quality of life of Roma in Serbia. This is the first national award for our work with the Roma community in Serbia and the third prize in the last four years .

Golden Wheel, which has awarded by the National Council of the Roma minority in Serbia, confirms the credibility and

expertise of EHO, in work with Roma / activists .

I believe there are more peo-ple who think that the only and right way to support the process of inclusion of Roma is to establish a cross-sectorial cooperation and to insist on the active participation of Roma / activists in the decision making process.

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NGOWe at EHO certainly con-

tinue with our distinctive work. This award confirms that we are on the right track.

Personally, I am sorry for the lost time, a lot of repetition, a lot of meetings, a lot of conclusions and recommendations, multiple fall backs on previously esta-blished errors and lack of coope-ration between the state and civil society.

* What have you achieved so far in the area of improving the pos i t ion o f Roma ? Summarize the results. What is what still needs work?

- Since 1999, EHO has been providing services to Roma / activists and other socially vul-nerable groups, through the Roma Resource Centre (EHO RRC), in the areas of education, employment, housing and infor-mation and advocacy.

In the past 15 years, EHO RRC has implemented more than 100 projects, which involved more than 85,000 people. In all our projects Roma ethnic com-munity has a very important role and thus, more than �0 Roma

communities in Vojvodina have been mobilized. EHO RRC has always strived to be innovative, and often had a pioneering role in launching various initiatives.

A great experience and exper-t i s e s t an d s b e h i n d u s . Subsequently, we want to share our knowledge with institutions, Roma communities and civil soci-ety, and thus define new and via-ble system solutions, and to improve the status of the Roma community.

* What are your plans in this area?

-EHO will work on institu-tionalization of their expertise

and strive to become a partner to the country in the implementa-

tion of the National Strategy on Roma in Serbia. Also, EHO RRC will continue to implement projects exclusively in coopera-tion with local authorities and Roma communities.

EHO RRC does not want to act in areas that have already been “covered”, but will seek to build participatory and sustaina-ble mechanisms for the success-ful cooperation with the Roma community.

We do not want to duplicate existing projects and programs, but to improve our existing projects and start the replication process of EHO work model to other parts of Serbia.

Jovana Davidović

* Message to Roma on the occasion of International Roma Day.

-Many are exclusively concerned with the problems of the Roma community, and do not provide you the opportunity to dem-onstrate capabilities you have within your community. We know that your community can be active in a variety of processes and we believe that by working together and understanding, we can do much together. You need to be agents of change. Not EHO, not someone else. Organize yourselves. Do not allow to be used for someone’s personal interests. And do not allow the others to dis-credit yourselves, but show how much you know and can do.

Winners

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LANGUAGE, CULTURE AND TRADITIONOn the occasion of International Roma Day, on April 8th, the City Library in Novi Sad hosted the event “Language,

culture and tradition” in the reading room, with the event being sponsored by the Foundation “Nomadik”.

Actor Bosko Petrov pre-sented a collection of children’s poetry through recitation in Serbian, Romani and English “The host guest / in a rather ćheresko / Homli guest” and the poem “Black and white happi-ness / E bah kalo steam / Black white happiness”, by poet Maja Familić.

The honor guests spoke of the poet and her poetry, Prof. Jovan Ljuštanović Ph.D. and Prof. Ph.D., who are also reviewers of the published books.

In addition to poetry, the event visitors were able to see paintings of Maja Familić through the setting of art works from the series “Roma –Art”.

The event was enriched with the performance group Ethno of Music High School “Isidor Bajic” under the guidance of prof. Sanje Benić.

Continuous concern about the Roma

At the very beginning, the audience was addressed by the Chief of Cabinet of the Mayor of Novi Sad Aleksandar Petrovic and director of the City Library in Novi Sad Dragan Kojic .

Petrovic first pointed out the importance of marking the International Day of the Roma, and congratulated this holiday to all members of the Roma popu-lation stressing that Roma should

not talk and worry only on their day, but continuously, ��5 days a year, without stopping:

“City of Novi Sad does just that. In the last six months we have done an Action Plan to improve housing conditions in the village of Veliki Rit. Nearly 90 % of the plan so far has been done. On behalf of the city of Novi Sad, my colleagues and myself signed in early an agree-ment with the OSCE, to work together to improve the living con-ditions of Roma in our city“.

Finally, Petrovic said that such an event is the right way to fight and permanently remove prejudice and stereotypes that exist against members of the Roma population.

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The mixture of Roma oral literature and life experience

Prof. Dr Jovan Ljuštanović stated that his role is double at this ceremony, since he is both the reviewer to the edition, and a teacher to Maja Familić:

“It is a great joy when I meet a talented former student, who was able to self-express, to demonstrate their talents and to show the full spiritual, artistic and intellectual strength and beauty”.

These two books are important for Roma culture here as well as for abroad. Roma have a great cul-ture, but the oral, traditional one, which is not collected enough in the books, which is not codified in the literary canon, especially in the more general global and national. Roma make their culture alive, sponta-neous and pristine. This is a good time to translate the primordial, great experience in some way into writing, into something that is more modern, more appropriate to the world that exists today. These books are in favor of the emancipation of Roma culture in general. Songs for Children by Maja Familić are written from authentic Roma experience. They live inclusion. They are yearning for emancipation, for inclusion, for equality, for finding their place in society and the community, for equalization of opportuni-ties and rights. Desire is programed in a way, but not theoretical, abstract. It arises from the inner experi-ence, experience that is sometimes painful. To be marginalized and pushed aside is certainly a painful experience, especially for someone who has such a powerful talent, like Maja Familić. This livelihood of the experience, the desire for inclusion, but fueled with the internal energy and the feeling is one of the main thematic and poetic feature in this book. At the same time this book presents those deeper layers of authentic Roma culture. So for example, you can find that the lullaby of Roma children is a ballad, with love, and fights, with suffering. This ballad is one of the most important kinds in the oral Roma culture. There are also stories about the customs. Traces of folklore, breakthrough in many places. There is one actual ballad, namely a romance, since it is conditioned with a happy ending, about marrying a Roma woman who has succeeded to trick the suitor who gave the money for the wedding with her family.

A whole series of layers of Roma culture appears in these books. They are the restoration of the rich oral traditions of Roma and its transfer in writing.

The poem “Nomads” depicts a primal connection with nature, while the utopian ideal of schools in the song “Chocolate students” is surrounded by sunflowers. In the poem, between its nature and the abstract school knowledge there are no walls, no limits to the school that blends with nature.

Poetry of Maja Familić stems from the Roma culture and life experience. That’s what is the most valu-able and the best in these books. This is her contribution to the culture of their own people and their own community, and as she sings also in Serbian language, it is a valuable clue for our point of view and our social sensibility and attitude towards the Roma”.

Multiple reasons for congratulation

Director of the City Library in Novi Sad expressed his great pleas-ure to have the opportunity to par-ticipate in this event, noting that it is the realization of a dream for the artist Maja Familić.

Kojic spoke of long experience in the institution he represents, and of Maja Familić, who has now committed to the project to digi-tize the artistic heritage of the pub-lic utility company “Informatika”.

Kojic also reminded about the public and social activism of the artist, as well as her active partici-

pation in the activities in the City Library, especially at the library “Trifun Dimic” in Sangaj.

The world of childhood is sup-posed to be marked by imagina-tion and dreams.

It’s as she had one lovely say-ing in mind for her entire life, a saying from a medieval bishop


NGOfrom Verona: The best teachers to people are quality books. Books teaches you without a rod or harsh words, books never sleep, when-ever you get near to them, they will provide salvation.

Maja Familić deserves all congratulations today: we con-gratulate her the International Roma Day, to her and her nationals, we congratulate on recently becoming a member at the Association of Writers of Vojvodina. We congratulate her on applying the most uni-versal library definition in practice. Public library is a loyal gateway of knowledge that pro-vides essential condi-t ions for learning throughout lifetime, independent decision-making and cultural development of an individual and social group. Our Maja has been doing all of this for a long time. We congratu-late her on being worthy of the rooms in this house where Jovan Hadžić, Svetozar Miletić, Jovan Jovanović Zmaj, Laza Kostić and many others. I didn’t say this out of convenience, but I firmly stand by my words.

I also congratulate Maja Familić on confirming the well-known saying: “Everyone grows up, but with books, one becomes a man”.

Poet’s gratitude

Maja Familic said that she has a great honor and pleasure to be welcomed in a cultural institution as the City Library in Novi Sad.

The artist expressed gratitude to Dragan Kojic, director of the Library on cooperation: “I cannot not to mention his great commit-ment for protection and improv-ing the culture of sensitive minorities”.

For the end of his address, the poet applauded the support

of Mayor of Novi Sad to manifes-tations of this kind, that have a goal to nourish melodies of mother tongue and traditional characteristics of a nation, besides literary affirmation and spiritual growth.

With hope that poet Maja Familić will preserve her persis-tence, continue to carry the stars in her eyes and the vast spaces in her songs, which are the real magic of smell and sound, the crowd awarded her with a round of applause. After the official part of the event, the poet’s own poetic works were handed out to the audience, carefully writing com-ments in books and eagerly expec-ting from them to share their impressions with her after the reading.

Connection with the tradition and culture

Prof. Zoran Djeric Ph.D. referred in his speech to the art setting, emphasizing its connection with the poetry of Maja Familic, and expressed his hope that Maja’s collection will be illustrated with her paintings next year:

“Maja is a multitalented artist. In addition to that, she puts a lot of effort into the promotion of Roma culture. This means she is really busy and particularly dedicated to her cause.”

Given that I had the opportunity to get familiar with her songs for the adults, I must admit I was a bit skepti-cal when I got her manuscript with songs for children. After I read them, I was really pleas-antly surprised. Maja has shown great knowledge of lit-erature for children.

As children’s poetry is very important for their edu-cation, didactic element is present in almost every Maya’s poem.

The poet relies on oral tradition and native melody, the myths, and the literature. A tribute to the great Indian writer Tagore, who received the Nobel Prize for Literature 100 years ago, is on the cover. This dedication is not acci-dental. Due to the fact that in both books the author returns to homeland, the story about India. “

Book signing

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Jovana Davidović


Culture

ROMA MYTHS AND LEGENDSIf we want to talk about Roma literature, we first have to pay attention to myths and legends, which

form the basis of the Roma folk literature, beside fairytales, stories and poetry but also make a foundation for written literature.

Roma myths, as well as myths in general, talk about the lives of Gods and other divine beings, the creation of the world and its ele-ments, and are created from peo-ple’s need to explain and under-stand the phenomena that surrounds them, and cannot be rationally explained. In myths, gods have human qualities and often come into contact with peo-ple, but are immortal and omnipo-tent. Roma name for such stories is “purine paramiče”, old stories, and stories about the life of gods are called “Devlikane paramiče”, divine or sacred stories.

One of the most popular Roma myths is the myth about the

Earth, Heaven and their children, and talks about the way Earth, Heaven and natural elements (the

Sun, the Moon, Fire, Wind and Fog) are distributed in nature:

Fairytale of Peng

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While people haven’t yet been on Earth, Heaven and Earth lived happily married. They had five chil-dren: Sun, Moon, Fire, Wind and Fog. There was discord among them.

The Earth and Heaven decided to create a space among them and close their maladjusted children there. That saddened and infuriated the children, so they decided to separate their parents and follow their eyes and heart, far away from their mother and father. They intended to build a castle in the place where they would live, and to live separately from one another.

First the Sun plunged to the mother with all his might, thinking that is the way to separate her from Heaven. That attempt wasn’t successful. Then, Moon tried the same thing. He either wasn’t successful in separating their parents. Fire and Fog’s attempts were also in vain. But in the end, Wind attacked the mother. He managed to do what the others weren’t able to do – to separate Earth from Heaven.

But Sun, Moon, Fire and Fog stirred up a conflict about who is going to stay and live with the mother, and who with the father. Who would know when and how would that fight end, if it wasn’t for Earth. Earth stepped in and said: “You, Sun, and you, Moon, you attacked me the first! Get out of my sight! You, Fire, and you, Fog, you haven’t caused as much harm as much as Sun and Moon have. Stay with me! You, Wind, you caused the greatest pain to me. Go away! Never get into my sight again and may you never have home again! ”

Since then have Earth and Heaven been apart, and their children have constantly bickered and can-not live in peace.

Rajko Đurić, The History of Roma Literature, �0-�1.


CultureThe myth about the origin of

Roma is one of the more popular myths, since it has been included in many myth anthologies and le-gends of the world:

One day, god decided to create man. He took mud and made a statue which he later put in a pot to cook. Then he went for a walk. After he had returned, he had something to see: man became com-pletely black from all the cooking. Then God said: „You shall be the ancestor of the Black Men. “

Unhappy with his work, he started creating man again. He made another mud statue and put it in a pot to cook. This time, he took the statues out of the pot a little bit too soon, so the man came out completely white. Then, God said: „You shall be the ancestor to White Men. “

Unhappy with his work once again, God decided to try for the third time to create man. He made another mud statue and put it in a pot to cook. This time, man got golden color, and that was the best work God had made. Happy with what he had done, God said: „You shall be the father of all Roma people. “

Retrieved from: http://www.romalen.com/portal/tema.php?vijestID=�5

In Roma legends, it is narrated about both historical and fictive figures and events and happenings on the way from India to Europe. There are a lot of historical legends that write about the Roma king Peng, but are really about a histori-cal figure, king Džajčandu, who was the ruler of medieval India. He has remained as one of the main culprits for the demise of the ancient Roma homeland and their exodus.

In the following legend, Roma memories on roots from India are clearly expressed:

Roma myths and legends found their place even in world anthologies and thereby contri-

buted to the history of world literature. It is important to men-tion that many myths and

legends have taken elements of traditions of the majority nations and that there was a mixture of

themes and motifs, but the point in all of them stayed the same.

Tijana Čubrilo

We had one great, famous Roma king. Roma then lived together in one place, in one country of miraculous beauty. That country was known as Sind. There was a lot of joy and happiness in that country. Our leader’s name was Amengo Dep. He had two brothers. One was named Romando, and the other one Singan. It was all good, until the war. The Muslims attacked our country and made it into ashes and dust. Roma fled their homeland. As poor peo-ple, they traveled from place to place, from country to county. One went to Egypt, and the others got to Byzantium. The third lived in Armenia.

Rajko Đurić, The History of Roma Literature, �5.

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�0 The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina

Culture

MORE THAN HUNDRED AUTHORSThis is a new, extended edition of

The Roma and Sinti Literature, pub-lished in 2002 in German, and then translated into Romanian and Hungarian. The History of Roma Literature is the first book to deal with this issue, and this is why it has a great contribution in disco-vering and explor-ing the Roma literature. The author spe-cifically emphasizes the fact that Roma literature was written about for the first time only between 1990 and 2000, although it has existed for a couple of centuries. Like all literatures in the world, Roma literature is divided into oral and written, and we find universal themes and motifs in it, as in world lit-erature. With these statements, Rajko Đurić wants to show that Roma litera-ture shouldn’t be considered as a sepa-rate system, but as a literature that is no different than any other national literature.

As a part of literature studies, his-tory of literature is very specific, because besides considering literary works and their authors, it has to include historical and social knowledge about the origins of these works, to include culture and people. When it comes to the history of Roma literature, it is even harder, since Roma people do not live only in one or several countries. That is why Rajko Đurić had to observe and get to know the culture of many nations, in order to be able to put the Roma authors in a par-ticular context, in an actual country.

The book consists of four parts. The first part deals with the relationship of Indian literature and Roma people, and the second with folklore literature of Roma. The third chapter is the most extensive, and deals with lives and works of Roma authors around the world. The last chapter is the concluding word of Rajko Đurić, about the origins of the book and a brief review on the status of Roma people and Roma literature now-adays in the world.

The author of the book establishes direct link between Indian and Roma lit-erature. The connections isn’t surprising, if be bear in mind the fact that Roma lived in India up until 1912, and conse-quently, their literature was part of Indian folk literature. Indian epics Mahabharata and Ramayana are partially preserved in the oral tradition of Roma, which is reflected in the same personal names, themes and motifs in traditional Roma stories, as well as in identical rituals.

After the persecution of Roma form India, Roma folk literature became the guardian of cultural, spiritual and liter-ary heritage, together with folk traditions and Romani language. The largest number of folk stories and poems was published in the 20th century, although it occasionally happened in the 19th cen-tury as well. The main core of folk litera-ture is made of folk stories and songs, legends, fairytales, myths and poetry. Myths deal with the creation of the world, Gods, the first humans, origin of Roma, and while legends thematise per-secution and wandering of Roma. Crossing of Roma themes and motifs with folklore of the majority is present. A large number of Roma fairytales was published, which are great tool for learn-ing the language, beliefs and tradition of Roma, while styles of fairytales are com-parable with Indian. Nevertheless, folk poetry reached the highest popularity since lyric poems became the part of music tradition.

The chapter about the life and work of Roma authors provides information on over hundred Roma authors all over the world, from the following countries: Spain, Great Britain, Russia, Serbia and former Yugoslav republics, Romania, Hungary, Check Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, France, Italy, Sweden, Finland and non-European countries. There are the coun-tries in which Roma live, but there is no Roma literature, such as Turkey, Greece,

Portugal , The N e t h e r l a n d s , B e lg ium and Norway. Out of the aforemen-tioned countries, Roma literature is still in its i n f a n c y i n A r g e n t i n a , Brazil, Poland, and in Sweden and Finland, it developed at the end of the sixties, and in Italy, not until the nineties. When it comes to Check Republic and Slovakia, Roma literature started to develop just after World War II, and more influential and more important authors come from Slovakia. Roma authors from Austria and Germany write the most about the consequences of suffering of Roma in German Nazi concentra tion camps. Those are mostly, according to Rajko Đurić, books of remembrance, which were mostly created as a result of artistic and creative desires than as a result to express personal suffering.

Without a doubt, the most promi-nent representative of Roma literature in the world is Miguel de Cervantes, who introduced Roma theme and motif into European and world literature with his work “La Gitanilla” (“The Gypsy Girl”). That is why Rajko Đurić says: “The small and unrecognized nations could be on par with the largest nations in the world thanks to the great artists.”

The greatest value of the book lies in the fact that it provides general infor-mation about a large number of Roma authors from the past, but also provides information on contemporary Roma authors, and thus it opens completely new paths to research for those inter-ested in literature.

Tijana Čubrilo (Adapted from: Literary Gazette year LXV, No. 1211, March 201�

�1The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina

Roma in the world

DANCE THAT LEAVES NO ONE INDIFFERENTJoaquim Cortes, the most popular flamenco dancer in the world, took the best from Roma culture:

passion and love for dance. The spirit of nomads inspires his dance, but also his life.

“I’m proud of my Roma origin. I’m not sure whether I would be able to be what I am now had I had different origin but if my fate was to dance, then it is very special in our culture and I think that fla-menco is what makes me different”.

This choreographer and fla-menco dancer was born on February 22nd 19�9 in Cordoba, in Roma family. He showed inter-est in dancing ever since he was a little boy. He moved with the fam-ily from Cordoba to Madrid, where he began his formal ballet training. He joined the Spanish National Ballet at the age of fif-

teen. Cortes has traveled the world with ballet, and danced in the most famous theaters, on the most important dance stages. After leav-ing Ballet, he performed with major artists from the world of dance such as Maya Plisatsekaya, Silvia and Peter Schauffuss Guillen.

Wider audience knows him for his collaborations with Jennifer Lopez und Alicia Keys. Film lov-ers have seen him in films of Pedro Almodovar, like in Gitano with Leticia Castro. As a crown to his twenty-year long career, he established his own group “Joaquim Cortes Flamenco Ballet” which has 1� musicians, eight dancers and a total of �4 people. They travel the world and convey the magic of this fiery dance

packed with energy and emotion. Cortes is also both the director and producer.

In 2009, he was recognized by UNESCO because of its persistent fighting to promote the culture of dance and flamenco worldwide.

It represents an important milestone in the history of Spanish dance and flamenco. He is consid-ered to be in the top ten dancers in history.

His dance has captivated fans of flamenco around the world. He simply does not leave anyone indifferent.

Aleksandra Mićić

Living Art

Flamenco is a Spanish musical genre, which is char-acterized by a strong rhythm and graceful and passionate dance. It is also considered to be a musical phenomenon, because it outlived fashion, and set deep roots in the nation. This is actually a liv-ing art. The main characteris-tic of flamenco is its connec-tion with the audience that reacts very emotionally. Flamenco is performed dur-ing religious holidays and rit-uals, church and private cele-brations. It is a significant part of the identity of many social groups, especially the Spanish Roma and therefore is often referred to as the “Gypsy Art”. Flamenco is being spread within families and flamenco clubs.

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�2 The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina

Rumunija 1. Jul 2005 - 30. Jun 2006, Bugarska 1. Jul 2006 - 30. Jun 2007, Ma|arska 1. Jul 2007 - 30. Jun 2008,Srbija 1. Jul 2008 - 30. Jun 2009, Slova~ka 1. Jul 2009 - 30. Jun 2010, ^e{ka 1. Jul 2010 - 30. jun 2011,

1. Jul 2013. - 30. Jun 2014.

MINISTARSTVO ZA LJUDSKA I MANJINSKA PRAVA,DR@AVNU UPRAVU I LOKALNU SAMOUPRAVU

UPRAVA ZA LJUDSKA I MANJINSKA PRAVA

Makedonija 1. Jul 2011 - 30. Jun 2012, Hrvatska 1. Jul 2012 - 30. Jun 2013, Crna Gora 1. Jul 2013 - 30. Jun 2014.

DECADE OF

ROMAINCLUSION

2005 - 2015

CRNA GORA

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