An outpatient reception for parents was held on 9 October 2017 at the Community centre (Chitalishte) "N. Y. Vaptzarov" in the town of Vetovo within the framework of the activities carried out by Association BRTMI under the ZOV Program. The experts - a psychologist and a social pedagogue, assisted by the educational mediator of the Vasil Levski High School, held meetings and advised parents and caregivers of students. Two students and one of the young lecturers in the school also took the opportunity to discuss specific questions with our experts.

 

The consultations are given on a monthly basis in 9 schools in the partner municipalities of the project (Ruse, Vetovo, Borovo and Ivanovo) and provides an opportunity to build up parental capacity of parents from the Roma community and others living in a similar situation. Over the past months, the scope of the work has been expanded, and the efforts of the experts have already been directed, in addition to parents and pupils and pedagogical specialists.

 

On October 9, 2017 consultaions had a different format, attended by guests - the head of the Swiss Cooperation Office, Mr. Roland Python, Head of ZOV Programme Ms. Irina Fayon and Ms. Cheresella Banica, Head of the Social Integration Project for Roma and Other Vulnerable Groups in Romania, also funded within the framework of the Swiss contribution to the enlarged EU. Representatives of the project management team from Ruse Municipality and Deputy Mayor of Vetovo Municipality Mr. Ivaylo Kadishev were also present.

 

Later that same day a meeting of the Public Advisory Council on Roma Issues was held at Vetovo Municipality, which was set up at the end of 2016 within the framework of the project. The council, established by the Order of the Mayor of Vetovo Municipality, includes the two deputy mayors, representatives of the various communities represented in the municipality - Tatars, Turks, Roma (millet and burgudjii), representatives of NGOs and local business. The PAC on Roma Issues is a consultative body that has the task of assisting municipal authorities in implementing integration policies targeting Roma and other vulnerable groups. The activity of the council is supported by the experts of BRTMI, which contribute to strengthening the capacity of the body and its individual members.

 

The main issues discussed at the meeting concerned the education and frequent school absenteeism of pupils from the Roma community. The subject is extremely sensitive to the municipality management, and the members of the Public Council meet for the second time to discuss how they can help improve school attendance. Educational mediator Mr. Iliya Yanakiev presented hes work in the last few months in the school and in the community.