Foundations and Organizations Concerned With the Romani Minority
The information can and most likely will change, and we may not register this change
in time. We apologize in advance for this and welcome any information on changes in our list of Romani organizations and foundations.
MUZEUM ROMSKE KULTURY (The Museum of Romani Culture)
The Museum of Romani Culture has operated as an association museum since April
1991 and was founded by the Society of Specialists and Friends of the Museum
of Romani Culture. It is managed with state contributions provided by the
Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic's Department for Regional and
Nationality Culture.
Special Activity of the Museum
One significant event was the exhibition "Roma in Czechoslovakia", set up in
the leased premises of the Ethnographic Institute of the Moravia Museum in
Brno. It documented the historical evolution of the Roma after their departure
from India, their gradual spread throughout Europe, the ups and
downs of their life in Europe leading up to the tragedy of the Holocaust,
attempts by the state to assimilate them, and the unprecedented upsurge
in Romani movements and parties after the Velvet Revolution of November 1991.
During the exhibition, there were presentations on the distinctive Romani
culture
and way of life, traditional Romani crafts, and Romani folklore in both live
performances and recordings.
Lecture Activity of the Museum
In order to address the public, in April 1993 the Museum launched a
popular-academic lecture series entitled "Who are the Roma?" in the lecture
halls of the Moravia Museum. The collecting-investigative activity in this
area consists of a collection of documentation and objects,
photo-documentation,
books on Romani topics, and an archive of all available Romani magazines and
newspapers. The documentary-historical archive gathers and files copies of
the various decrees, patents, and ordinances related to the Roma through
history to the present time. The section of current documentation also makes
use of a clippings service.
Cooperation with Other Museums and Scientific Institutions
The museum has agreed to cooperate with the MZM Ethnographic Institute in Brno,
the Moravian Slovak Museum in Uherske Hradiste, the J.A. Komensky Museum in
Uhersky Brod, the National History Museum in Olomouc, the Institute of Popular
Culture in Straznice, the Silesian Museum in Opava, and several others.
Some Foreign Partners
The SAV Ethnographic Institute in Bratislava, the Slovak National Museum, the
Ethnographic Museum in Martina, the Provincial Museum in Tarnow (where part of
the permanent exhibition is devoted to the life of the Polish Roma), the
Ethnographic Museum in Budapest, and the newly-opened Holocaust Memorial in
Washington, D.C., whose exposition refers to the suffering of the Roma during
the Second World War. In the latter half of 1993, part of the Museum's
collection was loaned for an exhibition in the Austria town of Kittsee.
Personnel:
PhDr. Jana Horváthová, Museum Director, Historian
Contact Address:
Muzeum romske kultury
Bratislavská 67
602 00 Brno
tel.: (+420) 545 571 798
E-mail: sekretariat.mrk@posta.cz
ATHINGANOI, o. s.
Aims and goals
- Integration of the Romani population in the society by educational projects
aimed at both individuals and organizations
- Removing prejudice and misunderstanding between the Czech majority and Roma
minority by presentation of Roma traditions and culture
Target group
Roma high school and university students, basic school pupils and teachers,
Roma non-profit organizations, majority society
Current activities
Romaverzitas CZ II.
The project is continuation of Romaverzitas CZ and it aims to assist to
Roma high school and university students and to improve knowledge of the
majority society of the Roma ethnicity. Romaverzitas helps students to gain
funding for their studying, informs them of educational opportunities in the
Czech Republic and abroad, it further offers a specialized library, archive
of articles about Roma ethnicity, database of academic thesis dealing with
Roma
"Romaverzitas CZ" is also preparing thematic discussion evenings dealing
with human rights issues and problems of other national minorities living in
the Czech republic.
Roma desegregation project
This project deals with the serious issue of segregation of Roma children at
remedial special schools. We are concerned about the overrepresentation of
Roma pupilsat remedial special schools for mentally retarded pupils. The aim
of this project is to find new effective tools to improve current situation.
Realized projects
Weekend-long meetings of Roma students
This project offered young Roma students the opportunity to establish a
contact with people of the same ethnic origin and interests.
Lectures about Roma history, traditions, music or language helped the young
Roma to regain interest in their own culture. Various educational programs
(fundraising, drafting of project proposals, presentation in the media etc.)
were also part of the meetings. They helped the participants in their work
for the Roma community.
Within two years, five such weekend-long meetings and two week-long holiday
schools took place.
Legal Handbook in Critical Situations
This project had the aim to create a simple but comprehensive juridical
manual - handbook for the citizens with lower juridical awareness, who can
get into situation, where they might face racial discrimination, or they
might get into contact with the legal authority.
The juridical manual is a simple but comprehensive guide, how to behave in
the four following situations:
* when denied access to public places
* when discriminated at work
* when physically attacked
* when arrested or in other contact with the police
Roma Political Leadership Programme in the Czech republic
First round of this project took place in 2000-2001 and gave its
participants theoretical and practical training in political questions with
the aim to increase participation of young Roma in the political process.
In 2002, the second round of this project took place and at present we are
working on preparation of another round for 2004. Some of the participants
have been active in the political work, especially at regional level.
The International Roma Day
In 2001, the first celebrations of the International Roma Day, which Roma
people all over the world celebrate on 8th of April, were organized by our
organization. The aim of this event was to manifest presence of a new Roma
generation which wants to encourage renaissance of the Roma nation and
improve relationship between the Romany minority and the majority society.
The cultural events and seminars organized on this day were meant to present
the Roma nation from a new better side and to present to the majority
society the Roma culture and history.
Traditional celebrations of this important day took place also in 2002 and
2003.
Roma Students' Information Centre
The centre was established in April 2001 and open to public in September of
the same year.
Aspiration of the "Roma Students´ Information Centre" was to provide both
the Roma minority and the majority with comprehensive information regarding
the Roma nation.
The centre was helping students to gain funding for their studying, informed
them of educational opportunities both in the Czech Republic and abroad,
offered a specialized library, archive of articles about Roma ethnicity in
Czech press in 2002, database of academic thesis dealing with Roma issues.
This project was replaced at the beginning of 2003 by a new project
"Romaverzitas CZ", continuing as well as expanding its activities.
Romaverzitas CZ
The project was continuation of Roma Students` Information Centre and was
still provide services, which clients use to know. Along with the standart
offers Romaverzitas also oranized "Program of individual preparation of Roma
high school students and graduates for university entrance examinations for
the academic year 2003/2004." This program completed with the more or less
success 10 students.
"Romaverzitas CZ" also offered thematic discussion evenings dealing with
human rights issues and problems of other national minorities living in the
Czech republic.
How to become a good manager in NNO
The project "How to become a good manager in the non-profit sector" we
prepared for delegates of Roma non-profit organisations. Its aim is to
reinforce development of the Roma non-profit sector.
Fifteen weekend-long courses are focused on drafting project proposals,
fundraising, basic knowledge of economics, usage of internet, presentation
of the organization in the media.
Contact Address:
Athinganoi, o. s.
IÈO: 69057451
Na Poøíèí 12
115 00 Praha 1
Czech Republic
tel.: +420-224872090-91
fax: +420-224872092
e-mail: athinganoi@athinganoi.cz
URL: http://athinganoi.cz
Gabriela Hrabanová, chairwomen
SPOLECNOST PRATEL CASOPISU ROMANO DZANIBEN
(Friends of the journal Romano Dzanibem)
The society Friends of the journal Romano Dzaniben publishes the Romano
Dzaniben magazine of Romani Studies.
Contact Address:
Spolecnost pratel casopisu Romano Dzaniben
Ondrickova 33
130 00 Praha 3
ROMSKE CENTRUM PRO STREDNI A VYCHODNI EVROPU (The Romani Center for Central and Eastern Europe)
The Center was set up in Brno by the Romani section of the Helsinki Citizen's
Assembly. It's goal is to coordinate and support regional efforts to protect
human and civil rights through the Phare program. The Center intends to monitor
the position and rights of Roma in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe
and to prepare reports for European nongovernmental organizations.
The Center also supports individuals and organizations occupieded with the Roma
question, acting as a mediator in relations between the Romani community and
European institutions, and it works on specific cultural and educational
projects. In 1997 it will take part in three international conferences: in
August/September in London on the raising and education of Romani children,
then another in Vienna on human rights, and then in several Czech cities on the
questions of citizenship.
Contact Address:
Ing. Karel Holomek, Chairman
Dominikanske namesti 3-5
602 00 Brno
Tel.:(+420) 543 321 289
Fax.:(+420) 542 211 171
SPOLECENSTVI ROMU NA MORAVE (The Society of Roma in Moravia)
Activity: Extramural education for children and young people, theater
presentations, sporting events, lectures and meetings, counselling, assistance
during the application for Czech state citizenship.
Contact Address:
Spolecenstvi Romu na Morave
Ing. Karel Holomek, Chairman
Coordinator of Municipal Organization: Arpad Saray
Rasinova 2
602 00 Brno
Tel.: (+420)542 212 748
Fax.: (+420)542 133 302
OPEN SOCIETY FUND
Activity: In May 1995, the Fund announced, in cooperation with other
organizations involved in the advancement of the education of the Romani
minority, a stipend program for gifted Romani students. The intent of the
program was to encourage Romani students to complete the highest possible level
of education. The stipends are provided for tuition (for private schools),
additional training, and for some living expenses.
Contract Address:
Open Society Fund
Seifertova 47
130 00 Praha 3
Tel: 222 540 979
Fax: 222 540 978
E-mail: osf@osf.cz
http://www.osf.cz
NADACE MOSTY (The Bridges Foundation)
The Foundation's mission is to support the development of the culture and
education of the Roma. By doing so it hopes to contribute towards the
elimination of social inequality, racial discrimination and hatred. It acquires
and distributes finances toward the support of projects utilizing complex and
technical means of developing positive elements of coexistence between Romani
and non-Romani inhabitants in the localities where the Roma communities live.
The Foundation was established in 1992 by a group of people who had been
involved for a long time through their professions with the questions
connected with the life of the Roma in the Czech lands, and who had come to the
conviction that it was necessary to look for new, "independant" possibilities
to support positive models of coexistence with the Roma population in the Czech
Republic. Since 1992, it has concentrated funds from foreign sponsors (the
Council of Europe, the Dutch government) and from the Foundation for the Advancement of a Civil Society.
The Project of Coexistence of Romani and non-Romani Inhabitants
in Prague 5 and Its Southwest Side
The object of the project is to provide financial support for securing
above-standard resources and opportunities for individual initiatives, which
the project brings to fruition. The Project arose at the start of 1993 at the
Ministry of the Interior, and since June 1, 1993 it has been in effect in the
fifth district of Prague. To prepare a basic model of the
project, a working group of experts at the interdepartmental level was created
from the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs,
the Ministry of Education, Youth and Physical Education, the Ministry of
Culture, the Czech Government's Council for Nationalities, and the Office of
the President of the Republic.
The projecthas provided financial support to elementary schools where
Romani children are concentrated, it has covered four terms of summer camp for
Romani children from both localities, it continually provides work for two
children's folklore groups, and it has started to contribute to the activity
of the Barrandov missionary center (the parish of Zlichov), which works with
"children from the streets".
In the future, the foundation will attempt another development of the project
and it
intends to participate in the development and pursuit of other projects, and it
will attempt to present to the professional as well as general public, through
the above-mentioned means of support, positive changes in the relations between
the Roma community and the rest of society.
The Addresses of members of the Administrative Council of NADACE MOSTY
and their collaborators:
Ladislav Goral, Chairman of the Administrative Council
Urad vlady CR (Office of the Government of the Czech Republic)
nabrezi Edvarda Benese 4
118 01 Praha 1
Tel.: (+420) 224 002 728, 224 002 746
JUDr. Hana Fristenska
vedouci sekretariatu Rady pro narodnosti vlady CR (Executive Secretary of
the Council of Nationalities of the Government of the C.R.)
nabr. Edvarda Benese 4
118 01 Praha 1
Tel.: (+420) 224 002 711
Jitka Gjuricova
poradce namestka ministra vnitra (Adviser to the Deputy Minister of the Interior)
Ministerstvo vnitra (The Ministry of the Interior)
Na Stolou 3
170 00 Praha 7
Bozena Filova
romsky poradce (Romani Adviser)
Precechtelova 2229
151 00 Praha 5 - Nove Butovice
Tel.: (+420) 236 002 093
Ing. Petr Visek
Ministerstvo prace a socialnich veci (The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs)
Na poricnim pravu 1
120 00 Praha 2
Dr. Tatjana Siskova
kooordinatorka projektu "Souziti"(Coordinator of the Coexistence Project)
Ceske centrum pro prevenci a reseni konfliktu (The Czech Center for the Prevention and Resolution of Conflicts)
Brehova 3
110 00 Praha 1
Mobile Tel.: (+420) 604 959 657
Contract Address:
Dr. Anna Gorniakova
tajemnice nadace "Mosty" (Secretary of the Bridges Foundation)
Holeckova 53
150 00 Praha 5
NOVA SKOLA (The New School)
The New School is engaged in the education of Romani children and the
teachers of Romani pupils. Among their projects are the placing of Romani
assitants in elementary school classes with Romani students. So far these
assistants have been placed in schools in Prague and Usti nad Labem.
For teachers of Romani pupils the foundation prepares an annual week-long
course and a monthly half-day seminar. For those interested, it holds a course
in the Romani language (in Prague, Ostrava, and Pardubice), courses in Romani
music, a course in Wallachian (a dialect of Romany), and the foundation has a
library open to the public on its premises with books on the Roma and the
education of Romani children.
The New School also held a writing contest for Romani students in the Romani
language, and is preparing a drawing contest as well. It also issues a bulletin
and presented a reading by the Romani children's author Tera Fabianova.
Contact Address:
Nova Skola o.p.s.
Na Porici 30
112 86 Praha 1
Tel.: (+420) 221 733 067, 221 733 167
Tel. / Fax. (+420) 221 733 068
E-mail: novaskola@novaskola.org
NADACE TOLERANCE (The Tolerance Foundation)
The Tolerance Foundation is a
Czech nongovernmental organization established in
1992 in Prague. Its object is the furtherance of understanding and tolerance
between various social and ethnic groups, as well as the prevention of racism,
anti-Semitism, xenophobia, and violence.
The Program "For Equal Rights"
Within the framework of the "For Equal Rights" program, the Tolerance
Foundation
prepared a number of documents about the problems of the Romani community:
The project "The Mobilization Campaign of the Romani Community During the
Application for Czech Citizenship" (1993/94).
The Project "Who's Who". A list of individuals and organizations active in the
Roma minority.
"The Report on the Czech Citizenship Law/Results of the law for the Romani
Community" (May 25, 1994)
"A Need for Change/The Czech Citizenship Law/Analysis of 99
Individual Cases" (November 21, 1994).
"Notes on the Czech Citizenship Law's Background" (February 2, 1995)
"The Non-Czech Czechs" (August 7, 1995)
Contract Address:
Nadace Tolerance
Milan Pospisil
Chairman
Helena Klimova, Vera Roubalova
Deputy Chairwomen
Senovazne namesti 24
110 00 Praha 1
Tel./Fax: (+420) 224 102 314
E-mail: tolerance@ecn.cz
ROMODROM
ROMODROM is an NGO dedicated to improving the
lives of Roma children in the Czech Republic and
Central Europe.
Our Mission and Objectives:
* TO SERVE Roma children under the age of 18
because this
is where we feel we can have the most impact.
* TO DOCUMENT through words and images the
current state
of Roma in the Czech Republic and Central Europe.
* TO PROVIDE an information resource for the Roma
community.
www.romodrom.org.
DOKUMENTACNI STREDISKO PRO LIDSKA PRAVA (Documentation Center for Human Rights)
The civic association Documentation Center for Human Rights is a legal entity registered according to the law on the
association of citizens. The object of the association is the gathering and providing of information relating to human and civil rights, mainly in the Czech Republic. Further, it supports the legal awareness of citizens and influences legislative and executive bodies in the interest of upholding human and civil rights.
Contact Address:
Dokumentacni stredisko pro lidska prava
Postovni schranka 70
149 00 Praha 415
Tel./fax.: (+420) 222 522 083
E-mail: info@lidska-prava.cz
www.lidska-prava.cz
PORADNA PRO OBCANSTVI BYVALYCH OBCANU CSFR (Citizenship Counselling Centre )
In summer 1996, UNHCR-Prague asked Czech Helsinki Committee to sponsor a Citizenship Counselling Center
to assist many of the thousands of Roma who are de facto stateless following the
split of Czechoslovakia in obtaining Czech citizenship.
The 1993 Czech citizenship law, which was strongly criticized by local and
international human rights community, made it difficult, if not impossible, for
thousands of former Czechoslovak citizens living in the Czech Republic to obtain
Czech citizenship. Although the law has been amended three times, complex
procedures for obtaining citizenship remain.
For the first time since it was empowered to oversee statelessness worldwide, UNHCR
has established the first citizenship counselling center in the world. In its
first six months the CHC citizenship center assisted close to 2,000 former
Czechoslovak citizens to obtain Czech citizenship.
Contact Address:
Pavla Bouckova
Marta Miklusakova
Vladislavova 10
110 00 Praha 1
Tel.: (+420) 224 946 635
CENTRUM ROMISTIKY (The Romani Studies Center)
The Center for Romani Studies came into being in 1996, when it replaced the Institute for the Study of Romani Culture. The Center's concept is the training of
future educators - as well as those in practice - in the field of Romani Studies. Two subjects are taught at the Center - the Romani language (Romany or Romales) and the history and culture of the Roma.
More significantly the Romani Studies Center cooperates with the New School Foundation, taking part in their projects as a specialized educational workplace, and it attempts to be of some assistance to schools in northern Bohemia which have a high percentage of Romani pupils. The Center provides technical advice and information within the framework of its oppotunities.
Contact Address:
Centrum romistiky
Veronika Kamenicka, Director
Horeni 13
400 96 Usti nad Labem
Tel.: (+420) 475 301 370
E-mail: romistika@ps.ujep.cz
HOST - HNUTI OBCANSKE SOLIDARITY A TOLERANCE (The Civil Rights and Tolerance
Movement)
The Civil Rights and Tolerance Movement arose spontaneously as a reaction to
the growing violence in society, particularily violence motivated by
discrimination. The main mission of HOST is the propagation of
nonviolence, monitoring the social situation, and providing legal protection
and guidance.
Among its many different objectives, HOST also placed the exposure of the
existence of the discrimatory tendencies in society and, through its
Information Service, attempts to warn of their non-resolution. The Movement
follows individual cases and the reactions of the state administration and
the police. In cooperation with he mass media it attempts to publicize its
inquiries. HOST intends to be involved in programs to educate adults
and children, to provide guidance for events that benefit the public, and to
provide legal
protection and couselling to victims of racially-motivated attacks.
HOST's Minorities Section monitors racially-motivated attacks and
discrimination toward the Roma, and is creating a legal counselling and
information center for projects related to the Roma in the Czech Republic.
Through its information service, HOST publicizes a summary of attacks motivated
by discrimination.
HOST has more than 300 signatories, among the first being Fedor Gal, Martin
Mejstrik, Karol Sidon, Zdenek Trojan, Kamila Mouckova, Jan Urban,
Petr Uhl, Stanislav Penc, Lenka Prochazkova, Jan Slovak, Vaclav
Trojan, Lumir Tucek, and others.
Contact Address:
P.O. Box 13
128 00 Praha 2
Tel./Fax.: (+420) 224 914 690, ex. 3405, 3451
HCA - HELSINKI CITIZENS ASSEMBLY / ROMA SECTION
HELSINSKE OBCANSKE SHROMAZDENI Romska sekce (Romani Section) HCA
Activity: monitoring the state of human rights in the Czech Republic,
racially-motivated attacks, and the Czech Republic's State Citizenship Law.
Contact Address:
Ing. Vaclav Trojan
Korunni 14
120 02 Praha 2
Tel.: (+420) 224 254 391
E-mail: hca@ecn.cz
HCA Roma Section
Dominikanske namesti 4-5
602 00 Brno
Tel./Fax: (+420) 542 210 265
E-mail: rshca@ms.bm.cesnet.cz
NADACE ROMANE CHAVE (The Romane Chhave Foundation)
This foundation was formed in 1992 with the intent of supporting the education
of Romani children and the Romani Center. During this period its activity has
provided for summer camps for Romani children, various tours, a parade of
Romani children's groups, and the Advancement of the Education of Romani
Children and Youth project in cooperation with the Tolerance Foundation.
Contact Address:
Chairman: Ing. J. Stibich
Deputy Chairman: Milan Duna
Pozemkovy fond (Property Fund)
Tesnov 17
117 05 Praha 1
Tel./Fax.: (+420) 221 812 827
NADACE DR. RAJKA DJURICE (The Dr. Rajko Djurice Foundation)
The Dr. Rajko Djurice Foundation concentrates its activities primarily on the
education of the Roma. It organizes training programs (the most well-known was
the annual course for Romani assistants) and it attempts to establish schools
oriented toward the education and training of Romani children and youths.
The first experimental Romani secondary school, which is supposed to prepare students for careers as Romani assistants and advisors, is scheduled to open in September 1998 in Kolin. The course should be completed by graduation and on the
basis of permission from the Ministry of Education, the school will admit 50 Romani students a year from the entire republic. Among the subjects are Romani language, Romani culture and history, practice in communication and resolving conflicts.
The Foundation is trying to set up a private Romani conservatory in Liberec, which would develop the kinetic and musical talents of Romani students and would
enable them to expand their education as well, since again among the subjects
would be Romani language, history and culture and a subject for graduation would be Czech language.
Contact Address:
Nadace Dr. Rajka Djurice
JUDr. Emil Scuka, chairman
Celakovskeho sady 12
120 00 Praha 2
Tel./Fax.: (+420) 224 232 102
The Foundation for a Civil Society
The Foundation for a Civil Society announces competition for projects oriented toward the education and training of Romani children and youth and education in tolerance and against racism. The competitions are open to non-governmental organizations in cooperation with local organs of self-government and state administration and contributory and grant organizations.
Advisors for Project Execution
Albina Tancosova
Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs
tel: 257 193 221
Tomas Haisman
Minister of the Interior, director of the Dept for Refugees
Hana Fristenka
Secretary of the Council for Foundations
tel: 224 002 711
Milan Pospisil
Secretary of the Council for Nationalities
tel: 224 002 313
Contact Address:
The Foundation for a Civil Society
Zdenka Krejcova, project coordinator
Jeleni 3/200
118 00 Praha 1
Tel.: (+420) 220 517 879
NADACE PRO ROZVOJ OBCANSKE SPOLECNOSTI (Civil Society Development Foundation)
The Civil Society Development Foundation was established in April 1993. The foundation's function is to support the development of the non-profit sector in the Czech Republic. The foundation administers the resources of Phare EU and provides grants to non-profit, non-governmental organizations for projects beneficial to the public. Over its five years of activity, NROS has awarded arould 900
grants with a value of 150 million Kc.
Contact Address:
Civil Society Development Foundation
Jelení 196/15 118 00 Praha 1
Tel: (+420) 233 356 173
Fax: (+420) 233 354 708
E-mail: nros@nros.cz
http://www.nros.cz/
OBCANSKE SDRUZENI KHETANE-SPOLU (The Khetane-Spolu Citizen's Association)
The Khetane-Spolu Citizen's Association was founded in December, 1996 as a non-profit organization, with its activities directed by an executive board and its
finances managed by an auditory commission. The main object of the association's activities is to mediate contact between Romani and non-Romani children by means of arts and crafts instructon.
The meetings take place in the atypical and peaceful environment of an open-air
studio while working together, which helps the children know themselves and each other better, talk about their mutual prejudices and fears, and understand that majority and minority are numerical expressions that don't say anything about the quality of the individuals or groups. The knowledge and skill in arts and
crafts acquired can also aid the children in their future search for professional orientation.
The father of this idea and the author of the shared-studio project is the Romani sculptor and stone-mason Eduard Olah, who is mainly known as the creator of
the memorial to victims of the Holocaust in Hodonin u Kunstatu in Moravia, on the site of the former "gypsy camp". He heads the wood-carving and stone-cutting
workshop at the "Studio by the Red Dog", which was opened on April 1, 1998 on Radlicka street in the Smichov district of Prague.
Besides these studios, children can attend classes every weekday from 2 p.m. to6 p.m. in ceramics and visit a graphic arts workshop, where they can get acquainted with drawing, painting, water-colors, stage-painting and the basics of graphics. Current instruction is also in an introduction to the history of Romani
culture and the history of art in general, with regular visits to galleries, museums, exhibitions and landmarks not only in Prague, but also in Bohemia and Moravia.
Though the Studio by the Red Dog is already open, but is still far from ready,
and for this reason the Khetane-Spolu Citizen's Association welcomes any kind of help (not only financial) or ideas. Finances for the technical equipment were provided by the Open Society Fund and the studio space was reconstructed with
its assistance.
Contact Address:
Khetane-Spolu
Radlicka 571/70
150 00 Praha 5
CHAVORIKANE LUMA
Chavorikane Luma ("Children's world" in Romany) is a group of games and ideas for
Romani children which was founded in November 1996 by Mrs. Olga Fecova. In the
group are children from Neratovice and from the south side of Prague where Fecova lives.
The children devote themselves partly to education (completing lessons, instruction in foreign languages, Romani and Czech literature, education in the arts),
and partly in dancing, singing, and musical and artistic training. So far, the
group has had its greatest success with the original Romani musical "Aunt Lydia" by musician Jozka Feco. The group also appeared, for example, at the closing
of the "E luma romane jakhenca" exhibition in Lobkovitz Palace in Prague.
The Romani women's musical group Amare Romnija appear in the cultural programs
of Chhavikane Luma, and it is also led by Olga Fecova.
Contact Address:
Olga Fecova
Hekrova 820
149 00 Praha 4
FOND POROZUMENI A NADEJE (The Hope and Understanding Fund)
Among the Fund's projects:
"Counselling-Information Service Center" - training activity for Romani
organizations,
"Stories Exchange Project" - a collection of stories from the Roma community
(in cooperation with the The Fund for Next Performance/Video and the Tolerance
Foundation.
Contact Address:
Fond porozumeni a nadeje
Chairman: Ondrej Gina
K rece 1003/II
337 01 Rokycany
Tel.: (+420) 371 727 598
Tel./Fax: (+420) 371 723 011
E-mail: fpn@pm.cesnet.cz
MATICE ROMSKA (The Romani Matrix)
The Romani Matrix has published a Romani translation of the Bible, held seminars on the education of Romani children, youth and even adults, as well as
meetings for Christian Roma in the Czech Republic.
Contact Address:
PhDr. Vlado Olah, Chairman
Vondrousova 1193
163 00 Praha 6 - Repy II
SDRUZENI OLASSKYCH ROMU V CR (The Association of Wallachian Roma in the Czech Republic)
The Association of Wallachian Roma in the Czech Republic attempts to help Wallachian families through advice, personal assistance and mediating contacts with
officials and other institutions and brings about the projects Olasska rodina (Wallachian Family) and the Project of primary to tertiary drug prevention for Wallachian Roma.
Contact Address:
Sdruzeni olasskych Romu v CR
Emil Stojka, Chairman
Miroslav Rafael, Secretary and Speaker
Uzbecka 6
100 00 Praha 10
Tel.: (+420) 271 733 682
SDRUZENI DZENO (Dzeno Association)
Dzeno Association is the legal successor of Foundation Dzeno, which was established by Ivan Vesely and Dr. Klara Samkova-Veselá on January 18, 1994. Dzeno Association was created in response to the start of a massive wave of Romany immigration from the Czech Republic to the countries of Western Europe and Canada.
The basic goal of Dzeno is to organize citizens of Romany nationality who want to help strenghten their nation. The association aims to support and develop traditional Romany values and characteristics.
Dzeno provides assistance to regional Romany organizations by organizing regional events and transferring experience and skills to local groups. Other activities support the education of Romany youth.
The organization also serves as an information center on an international level, helping to promote Roma human rights and an end to discrimination and racism. Dzeno Association is the publisher of Amaro Gendalos, a monthly Romany socio-cultural magazine.
Contact Address:
Ivan Vesely, Director
V tunich 11
120 00 Praha 2
Tel./Fax.: (+420) 224 941 945, 224 941 947, 224 941 948
E-mail: dzeno@dzeno.cz
http://www.dzeno.cz/
ROMSKA OBCANSKA INICIATIVA (The Romani Civic Initiative)
This political party was formed shortly after November 1989 and in 1998 it has approximately twenty thousand members. After the Roma exodus in 1997, the ROI
worked for the acceptance of Romani applicants to the police force, their re-training and incorporation into the patrol services, and the earmarking of spots
at police academies for Romani applicants and called on the government to accept a measure to increase the safety of Roma in the Czech Republic.
Contact Address:
JUDr. Emil Scuka, chairman
Marta Tulejova, ROI spokeswoman
Celakovskeho sady 12
120 00 Praha 2
Tel./Fax.: (+420) 224 914 690
DEMOKRATICKA ALIANCE ROMU CR (The Democratic Alliance of Roma of the Czech Republic)
The Democratic Alliance of Roma civic association arose in March 1998 from the
Civic Association of Roma in Valaske Mezirici. DAR (the abbreviation means 'fear' in the Romani language) set as its goal the raising of the political, economic and cultural level of Roma, their civilization. It demands that the government and regional state bodies ensure the safety of all citizens with regard to
the current situation and conditions for the better incorporation of Roma in society. The DAR wants to be not only a representative of the Roma, but also a
mediator in the implemetation of all measures and meetings with other bodies.
Contact Persons:
Democratic Alliance of Roma, CR
Petr Tulija, chairman
Stanislav Daniel, vicechairman
Ladislav Vasek, secretary
Pospisilova 70
757 01 Valasske Mezirici
Tel.: 571 614 711
INFOROMA
This foundation is located in Bratislava, Slovakia, and was established by the
Open Society Fund Bratislava, the Minority Rights Group - Slovakia, and
Nadacia pre romske dieta (the Foundation for Romani Children).
Library and Documentation Activity:
- the library builds, updates, puts on-line, makes available and transfers a
catalog of monographs, technical periodicals, and other sources of information,
including information available on modern mediums, related to the Romani community,
- it puts together files of documents from representative periodicals and
other sources of information, and is building a documentary card catalog,
- it provides bibliographical information and research services from its own
and outside sources,
- it gathers, classifies, and analyzes information, facts, artifacts and other
items of a material and nonmaterial nature from the historical and current
life of the Roma living in the Slovak Republic,
- the library is open to users at designated lending times, and loans are made
only in the form of study within the library.
Educational Programs:
- seminars, education and training courses,
- creating and realizing projects which positively affect the
resolution of problems in the Romani community,
- securing internships and study opportunities in the Slovak Republic as well
as abroad.
Investigative Activity:
- gathering statistical data about the Romani community,
- drafting analyses and expert opinions concerning the position of the Roma
and the questions of coexistence of ethnic groups from various cultures with
an emphasis on the prevention of ethnic and racial conflicts.
Counselling Services:
- information and counselling for the public concerning human rights,
- legal counselling for applicants for asylum and refugees.
Publication Activity:
- issuing reports, training materials, and conference and other non-periodical
publications oriented to multicultural issues.
Contact Address:
PhDr. Arne B. Mann
INFOROMA
Bastova 5
811 03 Bratislava
Tel./ Fax: (+421) 02 / 54 41 79 37
Tel.: (+421) 02 / 54 41 79 34
E-mail: inforoma@netax.sk
http://www.inforoma.sk/
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