16th April 2009 - Awards for those who have helped improve the situation for Roma in Slovakia
The NGO Award: ETP Slovensko
for complex and highly specialised and authentic work and services for disadvantaged and marginalised groups of inhabitants and the fight against poverty and social exclusion in Slovakia – in certain regards concerning the Roma in segregated settlements. For applying the concept of social mobilisation which provides motivation towards mutual assistance and support, specifically regarding the creation and co-creation of temporary employment opportunities and full time positions.
The Corporate Award: U.S. Steel
For the creation and implementation of the equal opportunities – work for the Roma program which resolves the situation regarding long-term unemployment with the aim of reducing unemployment in the region and improving the Roma standard of living. The project was extremely effective – with US Steel among others being an actual employer – which serves as a consecutive example and motivation for other employers.
Extra curricula education activities: Dokorán (wide open) foundation school
Nationwide non-profit organisation focused on life-long education whereby activities are implemented first and foremost in localities with higher Roma community counts., with the focus being on children from socially and linguistically disadvantaged environments. Specifics include skill development, countering inadequate education among Roma students, setting changes for improved education quality for the respective children, target oriented work with teachers and changes in the school environment and climate.
Individual award: PhDr. František Godla
For lifelong pedagogical work and public involvement to the favour of Roma and non-Roma students, for supporting and motivating Roma into becoming educated, for his contributions to the development of the Roma press and media, for his activities pertaining to Roma history in the context of the history of European nations and for his untiring efforts towards the political unity of Roma in Slovakia.
Activity of the year: Kvetoslava Turtáková and Jaroslav Korpáš
The nominated activity can be labelled as a direct novel or film story or the opposite. A non-Roma 16 year old girl turns up in a settlement, a girl who has been on the run for a long time, neglected, traumatised and quite probably abused. She was provided accommodation, food, hygiene and medical aid and many other institutional steps to help save her and potentially provide her with a future were taken.
We would like to thank everybody who has supported the Gypsy Spirit 2009 and look forward to seeing you at Gypsy Spirit 2010.
18th March 2009 - Ján Figeľ becomes the Gypsy Spirit 2009 patron
The Slovak European Commission representative Ján Figeľ, the Euro commissioner for education, training, culture and youth, accepted patronage over the Gypsy spirit 2008 project – the aims of which is are to create a tradition regarding awarding work for the Roma community, create a public platform for the presentation of positive life-changing contributions, and thereby push the greater public closer to the activities of the organisation and individuals focused on supporting Roma integration into society.
“Education connects people both locally and globally. It’s for this very reason that the availability and quality of education both become a fundamental requirement regarding social integration. Furthermore, education also assists in developing one’s inherent talents and culture. It gives me great pleasure to see that The Association for Culture, Education and Communication has been setting the path for many years in Slovakia in terms of the Roma and socially challenged families and communities regarding the aforementioned requirements:. - Ján Figeľ.
16th March 2009 – Extended entry deadline
There are still a few days remaining for Gypsy spirit award applications and nominations
The entry deadline has been extended to 20th March 2009
27th February 2009 – The media on the press conference
Other media:
Romano Nevo Ľil: link
RTA: link
SME: link
SITA: link
24 hod: link
17. February 2009
On February 17th 2009 at the Tyrs embankment (Tyršovo nábreží ), a non-traditional open-air press conference was help in which the organisers officially introduced the Gypsy Spirit 2009 project.
February 5th 2009
Apply, or nominate somebody else for the 2009 Gypsy Spirit awards.
The closing date for entries is March 13th 2009, send applications to the following address:
The Association for Culture, Education and Communication (ACEC), Laurinská 2, 81101 Bratislava
Or via email to gypsyspirit@acec.sk.
© Gypsyspirit.eu 2009