Projects(Slovakia-RomaScouting).pdf

DIVERSITY TOOLKIT

PROJECT EXAMPLES: SLOVAKIA Î GUIDING AND SCOUTING IN THE ROMA

COMMUNITY http://www.scouting.sk/english/

ROMA SCOUTING PROJECT

The Roma community, often referred to as ÒgypsiesÓ, is seen as a problem in many

European countries, due in part to their nomadic nature and exotic culture. In

eastern and central Europe the Roma community is the regionÓs most marginalized

and vulnerable minority. The community is spread across most of this region and the

Roma population in Slovakia is around half a million, from a total population of five

and a half million people.

Poverty is widespread within the Roma community and many live in ghettos on the

edge of urban centers in unhealthy housing. There are high levels of unemployment,

partly due to the low level of skills within the community. The children are most

affected. As many as half of Roma children do not complete primary school and

Roma children often end up working on the streets to support their families. This

results in the community becoming more and more marginalized from the rest of

society in Slovakia.

Scouting didnÓt exist in the Roma community before 2000. The small independent

Club of Right Roma boys and girls was founded in that year but to have a bigger

impact in their community and become part of the world-wide family of Scouting it

had to become part of Slovensky Skauting.

Following discussions with the Roma Scout leadership, the Club of Right Roma boys

and girls was transformed to Roma Scouting and very early Roma Scouts accepted

Òin whole the constitution of Slovensky SkautingÓ. They were however set up as a

Scout District and this has enabled them to keep some of their specificity. The

following aspects were also part of the overall agreement.

¤ Roma Scouting has retained its own symbols, uniform, badges, flags, hymn, etc.

and agreed to present national symbols on their uniforms at national and

international events. This is important because the Slovakian Scout uniform would be

too expensive for many of the Roma Scouts.

¤ Due to the economic situation in the Roma community, there is a different fee

structure for Roma Scouts within Slovakia and Slovensky Skauting has agreed to

make up the difference for the WAGGGS/WOSM membership fee.

¤ An Advisory Council for Roma Scouts, which reports to the National Council, has

been formed and its members receive training and support in Scouting and strategic

planning to strengthen their management capabilities.

¤ Trained Slovak leaders and Rovers who were interested in this project are now

providing leader training for Roma leaders and training Roma Scouts as Patrol

leaders. The results of the work have been validated by experts in the professional

sphere and it has been described as one of the best projects for Roma children and

youth in the field of education. The media are also following the project closely and

being very appreciative.

¤ To further develop the educational framework for Roma Scouts, which uses the

Scout principles and method while meeting the specific needs of the Roma

community.

¤ To develop the patrol system in Roma Scouting, by providing training in patrol

leadership for young people and adults.

¤ To build a network of both Roma and non-Roma volunteers who will work directly

in the field, visiting Roma settlements and communities with the aim of setting up

new groups with the help of local community leaders.

The project has generated energy and enthusiasm in Slovak Scout leaders, with

leaders volunteering to organise camps and training courses. Scouts from both

communities performed songs in public and a CD has been produced.

This project was instrumental in opening up Scouting to a new group of young

people and reducing prejudice and intolerance towards the Roma community in

Slovakia.

The main achievement has been the integration of Roma Scouts into Scouting in

Slovakia ÒSlovensky SkautingÓ and the impact this has had on the young people

concerned and their communities. There were no Roma Scouts before year 2000

and within 4 years the number has risen by over 800 new members.

Roma Scouting is fully integrated into Slovensky Skauting but it also retains

aspects which meet the particular needs of the Roma community and its specific

history and culture.

Scouting in Slovakia is playing a role in the integration and development of the

Roma community in Slovakia.

This rise in Roma Scouts has meant that the overall membership of Scouting in

Slovakia has risen by 5%.

An education programme has been designed to meet the specific needs of Roma

children and youth. Literacy rates among children and adults are very low. The

programme has been designed with their particular skills and interest in music,

dance, Roma culture and sport in mind. This work has received financial support

from the European Scout Foundation.

Through the project there is now a more tolerant attitude towards the Roma

community in non-Roma Scouts. There are now many positive examples which

help to eliminate the prejudice against the Roma community in Slovakia.

The participation of Roma children and adults in Scouting has had an impact on the

wider community. Results show that many Roma Scouts are more active and

responsible students and their school attendance and school grades have improved.

Roma parents have also fed back that they have noticed an improvement in their

relationships with their children. There are also noticeable changes in public life, with

Scouts (young people and adults) being more active in volunteering and community

service.

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