Description
In Sângeorgiu de Mures there is a low social-cultural cohesion of the local community due to marginalization of the Roma community and lack of intercultural communication between the different coexisting three ethnic communities. Objectives of projects: developing the multi-ethnic local community in Sg. de Mures by enhancing social inclusion and improving the situation of the Roma population by: elaborating and adopting local strategies; ensuring equal opportunities and increasing access to education for children at risk of school dropout by integrated local educational measures; increasing social inclusion through intercultural activities. The project is expected to diminishing prejudice; to increase intercultural communication; reducing non-participation in education and minimizing the risk of school dropout. Beneficiaries: 110 children, 70 parents (Roma), 74 young people, 20 teachers, 50 volunteers, 20 representatives of the community. Target group: multi-ethnic community of the commune. The Norwegian partner (Caritas Norway) will ensure the transfers of know-how from Norway on the domain of education and intercultural coexistence.
Summary of project results
In Sangeorgiu de Mures, the educational level is lower and the school drop-out rate is higher among Roma families. The lack of education leads to the lack of social integration. The project’s aim was to increase social inclusion and to develop intercultural relations in the village of Sangeorgiu de Mures. Therefore, social services were provided to 118 children, out of which 86 Roma children. At the same time, professional training was offered to 20 teachers, in order for them to develop a set of skills necessary to work in a multicultural environment with children of different ethnicity. 137 volunteers were recruited, out of which 32 locals, for implementing the project’s activities. 20 representatives of the community worked together during 3 meetings, for drafting the local Roma strategy. The most relevant activities were: - the training that the Norwegian partner offered to the team members and local instructors helped them bringing more innovation in the field of interethnic education. - the “Summer Kindergarten”, with the main goal to prepare children for their first contact with school. 70 children and 70 parents were the beneficiaries of this project, for a total number of 40 days. - the “School after School” programme provided pupils in preparatory class and first graders with a more basic knowledge and therefore helped reducing dropout rates. This programme was addressed to 58 children, 88 parents, and 11 teachers. - A social analysis survey (200 households were surveyed) aiming to find ways to improve the socio economic situation of the Roma community was conducted. - an intercultural youth festival was organized which significantly contributed to reducing the existing biases related to ethnicity and promoted intercultural communication. This event hosted 8 participating teams, including a total number of 40 youths. A debate competition was organised, where the young participants learned how to make use of arguments in order to back up their own ideas. The event was attended by local community representatives and journalists.
Summary of bilateral results
The most relevant achievement of the bilateral relationship is the know-how transfer between the two organizations/countries regarding intercultural education, coexistence, volunteering, and social innovation. The training provided by the Norwegian expert offered the project team, the local instructors and the staff of other organizations certain guideposts that assisted them in bringing more innovation in the field of interethnic education. Yet another key point in promoting mutual understanding and a long-term cooperation framework was the possibility of two Romanian civil society organization leaders to become familiar with several social/educational institutions in the socially developed country of Norway. It was a highly awareness-raising experience seeing how the issues of multicultural togetherness and interethnic relationships are approached in Norway.