2007 Press Releases

Roma Integration Program to be Highlighted During Closing ceremonies in Prešov, Kežmarok and Rimavská Sobota

February 13, 2007

BRATISLAVA (February 12, 2007) - To celebrate the completion of the Roma Integration Program, a $2.8 million U.S. Agency for International Development-funded project in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia, Partners for Democratic Change Slovakia (PDCS) will hold ceremonies in Prešov, Kežmarok and Rimavská Sobota, the three municipalities in which the program has been implemented in Slovakia.

The Roma Integration Program, a four-year project implemented by the U.S.-based Partners for Democratic Change (www.partnersglobal.org), builds the capacity of Roma individuals and community organizations to support Roma integration efforts and promotes inter-ethnic collaboration and tolerance in target communities in each of the three countries. In Slovakia, PDCS works with government, NGO and private sector representatives to identify and address the needs of Roma in Prešov, Kežmarok and Rimavská Sobota. Nationally, PDCS has organized working groups and roundtables to address pressing issues such as affordable housing for impoverished Roma, supported diverse media through trainings for journalists and the So Vakeres? TV program on STV2 and trained teachers and students in multicultural education techniques and tolerance.

To mark the end of the four year project, each ceremony will recognize the hard work of program participants and beneficiaries, highlight program outcomes in the locality and provide information to donors that might support Roma Integration Program-sponsored activities and initiatives. Both Roma and non-Roma local government, civil society, education, and public administration officials and representatives will be in attendance.

Event Details:

Prešov: Wednesday February 14, 2007 from 15:00 to 19:00 at the "Odborový dom kultúry", Nám. Mieru 1

Kežmarok: Thursday February 15, 2007 from 14:00 to 17:00 at the "Mestské kultúrne stredisko", Starý trh 46

Rimavská Sobota: Friday March 2, 2007 from 14:00 to 17:00 at the "Tatra Hotel", Hlavné nám. 7