Education for Roma

Education helps overcome discrimination and strengthens equal opportunities. For this reason, the Pestalozzi Children’s Foundation supports projects in Macedonia, Moldova and Serbia that promote the integration of Roma children and young people in school. The projects are aimed at ensuring that children enrol in school and receive sufficient help to be able to complete their education.

The Pestalozzi Children’s Foundation assists local partner organisations in developing a methodological approach to support Roma children during their years in school and helps them sensitize teachers and education authorities. Workshops and further training courses address issues such as discrimination, tolerance, teaching methods, equal opportunities and child rights and provide insights into the culture and history of the Roma people.  

Involvement and concrete encounters

Workshops are also held for Roma children and young people, sometimes together with their teachers. Social and intercultural capabilities are not theoretical techniques to be learned from books, they are acquired through experience, emotional involvement and concrete encounters. In intercultural education, children and young people discover more about themselves and others; they perceive differences and learn how to treasure them as enrichment. People who are able to identify themselves with their cultural values are able to focus on positive experiences in life.

The ultimate aim of these projects is to encourage children and young people to talk to each other rather than fight. Readiness for peace and tolerance for your neighbour are prerequisites for a world in which children can grow up freely and happily.