2 – 8 November, 2016
Alicante, Spain

The Association EPEKA, Soc. Ent., is a partner in the Erasmus+ Youth Exchange project School of Tolerance. The youth exchange will take place from 2 to 8 November 2016 in Alicante, Spain.

The School of Tolerance is a 5-day training project that will bring together 22 youth leaders, workers, multipliers, trainers and volunteers. The training will take place in Alicante, Spain, from 2 to 8 November. The project will engage participants in a long-term preparatory and follow-up process.

Roma rights are violated every day in Europe. Even if the authorities acknowledge that the socio-economic situation of Roma is problematic, they continue to be denied their rights as equal citizens, are often completely excluded from active roles in policy-making and implementation, and continue to be treated in a patronising manner. Such “applied antigypsyism” is the background to the unequal treatment of Roma – in the labour market and in the provision of social services such as housing, healthcare and education. The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) has found that Roma are the most discriminated group in the EU: “One in two Roma said they have been discriminated against because of their ethnicity.” The 9th meeting of the EU Roma Platform confirmed that more emphasis needs to be placed on representing and promoting Roma equal citizenship and rights when confronted with their situation. Official recognition of intolerance towards Roma must be sought at all levels, including at EU level.

The project develops skills and knowledge on active European citizenship through the core values of the European Union, strengthens civic and democratic participation, in particular of Roma communities, and contributes to the formulation of a new policy on antigypsyism, which is currently in the works.

The main objective of the project is to raise awareness and facilitate dialogue on discrimination and antigypsyism leading to social exclusion of young Roma.

The project also aims to:

  • To develop the skills of youth leaders and multipliers to use the Living Library as a non-formal educational method in their work with young people.
  • To raise awareness about discrimination and antigypsyism and their negative consequences that lead to social exclusion of young Roma.
  • To exchange and share experiences of marginalisation and social exclusion faced by young Roma from different European countries.
  • To promote tolerance and respect for human rights.
  • To initiate/organise youth projects in different local contexts and to get involved in local and European political decision-making streams.

Participants:

  • Young multipliers, youth workers, facilitators and volunteers who work in any way with Roma.
  • An active and positive attitude to work is desirable.
  • Must be over 18 years old and have a good command of English.
  • 2 participants from each country.

For more information, please send an e-mail with a cover letter and CV to epeka@epeka.si.

Project coordinator of the partner organisation: Štefan Simončič, President of the Association EPEKA, stefan@epeka.si.

Project promotion: Tjaša Teržan, the Association EPEKA, Soc. Ent., tjasa@epeka.si.

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