"Communication is not universal." How the Slovo 21 project supported intercultural competencies in practice
The Slovo 21 project, titled Strengthening Intercultural Competencies, helped civil servants better understand people from different cultural backgrounds and manage the situations they encounter in their work. The project concludes this August. In this interview, Kateřina Kopečná, the project's lead methodologist, discusses the project's progress, her experience as a trainer, and why there is no universal guide to communicating with others.
"Roma people need role models. I want to be one of them," says summer school participant Marlon Ferenc
When seventeen-year-old Marlon Ferenc from Prague arrived at our "We Are Walking a Long Path" summer school, he expected a few lectures and meeting new people. A few days later, however, he left feeling that he finally understood his identity. And that he knew much more about how to stand up against injustices faced by Roma people.
"I didn't want to work as a cleaner just because I'm a foreigner." An interview with Viktoriia Lytvynenko about her new home in the Czech Republic and more.
Viktoria arrived in Prague with her son six years ago in response to the rising tensions in the Donetsk region. Recalling her first weeks in the Czech Republic, she says she felt lost. Among other things, the Slova 21 New Home project, which offers a helping hand to holders of international protection, helped her find her way.
When empathy helps: hundreds of officials, police officers, and firefighters are learning to communicate more effectively with foreigners thanks to Slovo 21
Less tension, more understanding. Sooner or later, every migrant in a new country encounters officials – at the foreign police, the labor office, or municipal authorities. However, the barrier between an official and a foreigner is not just the counter. It is often created by language barriers and cultural differences.
"My granddaughter knows my mother was in a concentration camp." With Marcela Surmajová about a play written by life itself
Forbidding children from speaking Romani at school. Being accused of not paying rent simply because of the color of your skin. And the story of a mother who survived a concentration camp, only to be kicked off a tram by a group of skinheads decades later. Marcela Surmajová carries memories that can never be forgotten.
"Sit with us at our table!" This year on Americká, Family Next Door hosted visitors with food and stories from all corners of the world.
Slovo 21 loves those moments when people meet around a single table. That is why we made sure to be at this year’s Zažít Americkou jinak street festival, which transforms a Prague street into an open and friendly space every year. We brought along our long-running project, Family Next Door, and with it, some great food.
“The goal is to build a new generation, not individuals.” – With Jana Hejkrlíková about We Are On the Long Way
The We Are Walking a Long Path summer school, which Slovo 21 has revived after nearly two decades, offers young Roma the opportunity to spend several summer days together, exploring their own culture and history through informal education and finding ways to actively engage in the fight against antigypsyism.
"Nobody tells us Roma who we are." Sebastian describes his experience at the We Are On the Long Way summer school
Jdeme dlouhou cestou is no ordinary summer school. It combines several goals: strengthening Romani pride, learning about one's own history and culture, and motivating young Roma to get involved in the fight against anti-Gypsyism. Sebastian is one of this year's participants.
The Journey / Traces of Stories exhibition has arrived in Brno and on the Czech Television news.
Not knowing where to go or for how long. Just walking. This is the reality faced by hundreds of Ukrainian children who had to leave their homes due to the war. Their authentic stories are the focus of the exhibition The Journey / Traces of Stories, which opened on August 5th at the Jiří Mahen Library in Brno.
I See Music in Color: Patrik Banga's new book launched at Khamoro
Mário Bihári and his iconic accordion conquered the local music scene long ago, captivating audiences everywhere. Writer, journalist, and Magnesia Litera award winner Patrik Banga boasts an equally impressive list of achievements. These two inspiring figures embarked on a journey together, which culminated in our meeting at the launch of the book I See Music in Color.
After All, We Are Neighbors: Pankrác celebrates the friendly coexistence of different nationalities through music and dance
The "After All, We Are Neighbors" festival in Prague's Pankrác district returned for its seventh year, offering a program packed with music, dance, and activities for both children and adults. These neighborhood celebrations provide a space for everyone to express themselves and share a piece of their national identity.
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They got into high school thanks to Avela project tutoring. Three students, three different paths with a successful outcome
High school entrance exams have been incredibly stressful and demanding in recent years. This situation is even more challenging for children and young people of Romani origin, who continue to face obstacles within the educational system. Three boys, Robert, Milan, and Sebastian, have just finished ninth grade and share with us the journey that led them to high school thanks to tutoring from the Avela project.
"If adaptation and integration courses had existed in 1971, it would have been much easier for our family," says Majdulin Oostrom
She ensures that translation and interpreting for the "Welcome to the Czech Republic" courses run smoothly and to the highest possible standard. Majdulin Oostrom knows firsthand how difficult it is to start a new life in a foreign country. "If a course like this had existed in 1971, it would have been much easier for us," she emphasizes.