Regional experts discuss the good practice of Roma integration in Rezekne municipality
On 25 January, the “Latvian Roma Platform III: Promotion of Cooperation and Participation” was carried out by the Ministry of Culture in Rēzekne Municipality, a visit to the good practice of regional experts organised by the Ministry of Culture was held.
The representatives of the Ministry of Culture and the local government, the Roma representatives listened to information about the situation in Rēzekne municipality with the Roma population.
The guest was AT Maltas in secondary school, a successful example of Roma children's integration, as 11 Roma pupils also learn here. Maltas High School Director Vinera Deme provided information on the school and the implementation of Roma education promotion activities, integration experience at local level. Regional experts met with Roma children and their parents. The guests were pleased by a group of children who also participated in Roma pupils.
The vice-president of Dobeles municipality, Guntis Safronovičs, acknowledged that they were surprised by the positive atmosphere AT Maltas in secondary school: “the human factor is important. We see you're really a patriot of your native place. I would like to bring our pupils and teachers here, because schools such as schools are an excellent example of how to integrate children of different nationalities, how to implement a variety of inclusive programmes. In Rezekne, a person and school students have a value - they can be felt. '
A meeting of regional experts with local government representatives took place in the municipality of Rezekne. Director of Development Planning External Relations Inta Rimšāne reported on projects carried out in the municipality. Since 2012, 37 million euro have been mobilised in local government projects: “We are implementing many projects, building roads, restoring degraded environment, our pride is Lūznavas manor and water tourism development centre“ lighthouse ”. It is very important that we have projects in which we see examples of good practice from other countries. We are currently participating in the CRISCO project, where we learn how to live with people who have different types of barriers to integration in society, helping to overcome these difficulties. In the Nord plus project, we learn how to integrate the various learning subjects in which our pupils speak. Social workers in Scandinavian countries learn how to work with special children by integrating children into the general education system. We are proud of the digital art project EUCIDA, which tells Latgale and the whole of Latvia that there is not only traditional art but many interesting new industries that enrich our everyday life.”
The head of the educational administration, Guntars ants, said about the education system in the municipality, informing that many minority pupils, including Roma, are studying in schools. Similarly, IN Griškānu parish, the Gypsy music ensemble “Charger” is active. On the other hand, the head of the social service, Sylvia Strankale, said that the social centres in which the people of parish can meet, receive social services, and organise various ethnic minorities in each of the parishes.
The municipality of Rezekne is one of 19 Latvian municipalities who participate in the regional expert on Roma integration set up in 2014. Thanks to the project “Latvian Roma Platform III: Promoting cooperation and participation”, it is possible to organise visits of local government experts at Latvian level and organise meetings on Roma integration activities and development of cooperation. The task of the project is to promote cooperation and dialogue between Roma civil society, representatives of state and local government institutions and social partners in order to ensure greater participation of stakeholders and better coordination and implementation of the Roma integration policy package at national, regional and local level.
Diana Selecka Text and Photo
