Roma Student Magazine "Amenca" Creates Atmosphere of Tolerance in Slovakia

December 8, 2008

The fifth issue of the Roma student magazine Amenca was published at the end of November. A journal edited at Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra and created by Roma and non-Roma students, Amenca has become a useful tool in raising awareness, tolerance and communication among young audiences in many parts of Slovakia. Amenca magazine acts as a forum for discussion,  providing information about Roma life and their community, culture and traditions. The variety of topics covered by the magazine create a very different media picture of Roma people: active young people who have achieved success and overcome stereotypes. The magazine also depicts the reality of Roma family life and its challenges, and supports preserving Roma culture and describing it in positive terms. The young Roma journalism students not only advocate for Roma identity, but gain professional experience in managing and publishing a regular magazine. The latest issue of Amenca includes an interview, called "Miracles Happen," with U.S. Ambassador to Slovakia Vincent Obsitnik. The U.S. Embassy supports Amenca magazine and several other projects in multicultural education, tolerance, preserving Roma culture and prevention of social exclusion in Roma communities.

• The fifth issue of the Roma student magazine Amenca(PDF)