Projects / Development of multicultural education

Development of multicultural education trough entroducing classes in Roma folklore in the curriculum of primary schools in Bulgaria

The overall objective of the project is to create a model for sustainable change in the educational system through entering subjects focusing on minority cultures and diversity  - “Folklore of the ethnoi – Roma folklore” in 14 districts in Northern Bulgaria.

Specific objectives and main problems to be addressed:

• Convincing the Directors of the Regional educational inspectorates, the local authorities, and the principals in the crucial need of such a subject and the consequences of its implementation;
• Choosing and training the teachers that will be involved with the teaching of the subject “Folklore of the ethnoi in Bulgaria (Roma Folklore)."
• Change or at least establish the beginning of a change in the general attitude and pedagogical approach of teachers towards students of Romani origin
•   Change in the attitude of public opinion in the regions covered by the project towards this problematic and thus fostering and contributing to ethnic harmony

STRENGTHENING THE RELATIONS BETWEEN LOCAL AUTHORITIES, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND ROMA COMMUNITIES FOR FOSTERING DEMOCRATIC ENVIRONMENT

The overall objective of the project is to establish a model for sustainable interaction between local governmental authorities, educational institutions and Roma community and to implement this model in the process of entering the subject “Folklore of the ethnoi – Roma folklore”.

Specific objectives and main problems to be addressed:

• Change in the attitude of public opinion in the regions covered by the project towards entering minority issues in the school curriculum and thus fostering and contributing to ethnic harmony
• Achieve a real engagement (including financial) of the local authorities to support the process of Roma educational integration and to cooperate with the local Roma authorities in this process
• Develop the human potential of the local Roma communities and train Roma representatives to lobby before governmental institutions at local as well as at national level
• Convincing the Directors of the Regional educational inspectorates and the school principals in the crucial need of Roma folklore subject and the consequences of its implementation;
• training the teachers who will be involved with the teaching of the subject “Folklore of the ethnoi in Bulgaria - Roma Folklore"

Financing organization: Democracy Commission at the Embassy of USA