About us
Our Story
We see diversity as an opportunity, not an obstacle. This is how we see the world in the 21st century. The world where we live together, not just side by side. Since our founding in 1999, we have been contributing to better coexistence of Romani people, foreigners and majority society. We are open to new ideas and constantly look for ways to put them into practice: through cooperation with state institutions, NGOs and partners from both the Czech Republic and abroad. We pull down stereotypes, enhance self-confidence of minorities, interconnect people of various ethnic origins and support education. As the change starts with Slovo.
Why We Help
Romani People
Rejections when looking for work, reluctance to rent an apartment to them, limited access to common education for their children, and daily prejudice – in public transport, for instance. This is the everyday reality for many Romani people in the Czech Republic and Europe. Long-term research shows that two-thirds of Czechs view cohabitation with Romani people negatively, and approximately one in five Europeans would not want a Romani colleague at work. This is often without any personal experience, simply driven by deep-rooted stereotypes. We support Romani people to become more self-confident, have a chance to be successful at school and work, to be more included in activities surrounding them. Through various cultural events, we create opportunities for Romani people and the majority society to meet, talk and get to know each other. Quite often, it makes more for better mutual cohabitation than anything else.
Foreigners
Starting over in the foreign country means to learn everything from scratch: new language, different rules, other habits. For many foreigners arriving to Czechia from non-EU countries, the start is full of uncertainty and obstacles that reinforce myths and fears in the society. Current surveys show that half of the Czech society considers newly arrived foreigners to be a problem. We understand this experience very well because some of our colleagues are foreigners who also started from scratch. This is why we try to help. Our adaptation and integration courses facilitate the first steps in a new country. Via trainings for civil servants, we work on friendlier communication between authorities and foreigners. Through various meetings, for instance, over good food, we interconnect Czech and foreign families. Quite often, these are the moments when fears disappear and mutual understanding begins.
Our Vison
Our vision is a society built on the principles of mutual understanding
and respect. A society where diversity is perceived as a strength,
not a lack of something or an obstacle.