CVEK

The objectives of the study Evaluation of ESF support for enhancing access to the labor market and the social inclusion of migrants and ethnic minorities has been to:

1. Assess the European Social Fund’s support for enhancing access to the labor market and the social inclusion of migrants and ethnic minorities; 
2. Provide guidelines for the Member States on the implementation of ESF Operational Programs in the 2007-2013 programming period in order to target beneficiaries more effectively; 
3. Identify effective means of tackling barriers to the social and labor market integration of migrants and ethnic minorities.

The evaluation focuses on ESF interventions in the 2000-2006 programming period, but also examines the implementation of ESF Operational Programs (OPs) to date in the new 2007-2013 period. The evaluation research takes into account activities supported through the EQUAL Community Initiative.

Through case studies and country reports at Member State level and through a thematic report addressing Roma integration issues, the evaluation aims to provide a comparative analysis between the Member States with regard to the main challenges in enhancing access to the labor market and the social inclusion of migrants and ethnic minorities.

15 EU countries have been included in the research in order to ensure a representative balance. CVEK covered activities of the project in Slovakia, conducted interviews with both policy makers and representatives of beneficiary organizations and prepared overview of ESF and EQUAL in Slovakia and intervention logic of ESF and EQUAL in Slovakia. CVEK analysed treatment of migrants, ethnic, and national minorities in selected ESF programs and in EQUAL, coordination of the HP EqOp implementation, roles of various entities in the Monitoring process, roles of various entities in HP EqOp monitoring, and bringed examples of good practices.  

IOM Bratislava worked on the project “Migration in the Slovak republic after the entry into the EU (2004-2008) – analysis of migration trends and public attitudes toward issues of migration and integration of migrants”.

The aim of the project has been to gather complex and updated information on developments, trends, and impacts of international migration after the entry of the Slovak republic into the EU.

Project has been divided into two research components. The first one, conducted by Dr. Boris Divínsky, was focused on legal and illegal migration, labor migration, emigration and naturalization within the period 2004 – 2008. The second one was run by the CVEK under the leadership of Dr. Michal Vašečka and was focused on realization of the representative public opinion survey “Attitudes of the public toward migrants and toward international migration”. CVEK conducted also focus groups and semi-structured interviews in order to gather also qualitative information.

Center for the Research of Ethnicity and Culture in partnership with Milan Šimečka Foundation conducted since April 2009 a project Integration of children of third countries nationals into the educational system of Slovakia. Project builds up on positive policies realized in education sphere in the process of integration of children of third countries nationals. At the same time, project enriches previous policies by innovative methods that aim to secure their successful integration into the society. 

The most important outcomes of the project:

1. Research of barriers of integration of these children into the education system;

2. Creation and experimental testing of innovative tools of integration;

3. Opening of a public discussion on problems of children of migrants in Slovakia;

4. Opening of a public discussion on needs of educational policies changes.

Set of practical policy recommendations for educational policies and integration tools aimed to be the result of the project. Outcomes of the project can help public policy makers to change and improve legislation in order to secure more effective integration of children from third countries. Results of the research can be utilized also by teachers in the form of manuals, techniques, and activities applied in the process of education within the classroom, school, and local community.

In 2009 CVEK co-organized again V4 Summer School at the Willa Decius in Krakow. The 8th edition of the Visegrad Summer School brought a two-week educational program which provided an interdisciplinary learning space for 47 young Czech, Hungarian, Polish and Slovak students, and for their peers from Ukraine, Romania, Russia, Kirgyzstan and Kosovo. The program consisted of lectures, panel debates and seminars on issues and challenges relevant to the Visegrad Group region, the European Union and beyond. School offered many opportunities to learn about each other and start an international co-operation between the people and the countries.

The program of the 8th edition of the Visegrad Summer School included debates on current political, cultural and social challenges in the global and European perspective, e.g. global economic crisis, Euro adoption, energy security, deficiencies of democracy, gender equality, gender sensitivity, or media development. Students applied the theoretical knowledge in practical activities. During workshops they developed political and social projects that aimed at establishing collaboration between them and their countries. Students took part in art projects as well – film and photo workshops. An important part of the cultural section were lectures on the culture – forming role of cities and a presentation of the cities competing for the title of the European Capital of Culture. On the weekend participants took part in study visits to Auschwitz-Birkenau and Kazimierz, the former Jewish district in Krakow. They also attended artistic events to learn about the culture of Cracow and visited the ethnographical museum of the Małopolska region.

Dr. Michal Vašečka lectured on the Summer School again, in 2009 on “Europeisation of civil society“. 

Slovakia has been represented on the 8th edition of the Summer School by 10 participants:

Martina Horánska, ESF, Masaryk University, Brno
Nora Križanová, Central European University, Skalica 

Marta Latináková, Bates College, Lewiston ME 
Jarmila Mikušová,  BISLA, Bratislava
Zuzana Nemethová, FSES, Comenius University, Bratislava  
Zuzana Nováková, FSES, Comenius University, Bratislava

Ondrej Schütz, FSS, Masaryk University, Brno 

Viera Slováková, University of Economics, Bratislava 

Barbora Strapatá, University of Economics, Praha

Zuzana Tóthová, FSS, Masaryk Uversity, Brno 

The research has been carried out in co-operation with the Roma Education Fund. The purpose of this study was to analyze the overrepresentation of Roma in special education in Slovakia. Following a common structure and methodology developed by the Roma Education Fund in consultation with ERRC andEUMAP to produce comparable data from a set of three country studies (i.e., Czech Republic, Serbia, and Slovakia), this study consisted of two main parts.

The first part of the study addressed five research objectives common to all three country studies:

1. Estimating the number of Romani pupils enrolled in special education;

2. Mapping the educational options of Romani pupils from compact, segregated Romani settlements;

3. Comparing the standard and reduced curricula used in mainstream and special education, respectively;

4. Juxtaposing the opportunities for further education and employment accessible to graduates of special education with those available to graduates of mainstream education; and

5. Conducting a cost-effectiveness analysis comparing special and mainstream education from the standpoint of state expenditures

Whereas the first part of the study was structured in such a way as to maximize comparability across the three country studies, the study’s second part focused on features of the education system in Slovakia which distinguish it from its counterparts in the Czech Republic and Serbia. Topics addressed in the second part of the study included:

1. The structure of enrollment incentives offered to special schools and Romani parents;

2. The complex of institutions with a role in maintaining the status quo in relation to special education; and

3. The mechanisms used for assessment and reassessment of scholastic competence; as well as

4. Recommendations directed at reversing the overrepresentation of Roma in special education in Slovakia.

Forum Institute, in cooperation with the Research Institute of Slovaks in Hungary, Institute of Slavic and East-European studies at the Charles University, and CVEK has organized series of 3 international workshops on “Effective participation of minorities on decision-making processes”. The aim of the project has been to foster dialogue on new approaches how to manage the ethnically diverse societies of Central and Eastern Europe. 
 
The first workshop was held on April 10-11, 2008, in Šamorín. One of the purposes was to clarify the basic concept of minority participation. A presentation of four minority participation models followed, in the form of case studies. The presented models were based on Central European Hungarian and Slovak minorities, respectively on minorities in the Baltic countries. Elena Kriglerová took part on the workshop on behalf of the CVEK.

The second workshop of the series was held on May 15-16, 2008, in Budapest, at the House of Hungarian Culture (Magyar Kultúra Háza). This time, the focus was set on the southern part of the Eastern-Central European region. There were many detailed presentations about the situation in Ukraine – first of all about the Hungarian minority, followed by the topic of ethnic relations on the Krym Peninsula and the ethnic structure of the multinational Ukraine. Dr. Michal Vašečka participated on the workshop representing CVEK. 

The third workshop took place on September 29-30, 2008 with experts from Serbia, Kosova, Estonia, Ukraine, Hungary, and Slovakia. Dr. Jarmila Lajčáková represented CVEK on the workshop.

CVEK has been participating on cross-European project “Intercultural Navigators” that took place in 12 European countries (Slovakia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Great Britain, Ukraine). The project aimed at development of an international network of young and diverse influencers (Intercultural Navigators) and equipped them with leadership skills and intercultural competencies, which will enable their communities to fully benefit from opportunities presented by globalization and minimize the risk of exclusion and marginalization.

Within the project a diverse groups of next generation leaders have been selected. These young influencers will be helped to develop cultural literacy indispensable in building intercultural trust. Their leadership and communication skills will be developed so that they can contribute both to mainstream debate and to constructive action – helping others understand and communicate better with people from other cultures.

Project has been focused on following issues:

1. Diaspora communities and their relationships with home and receiving societies,
2. Unprecedented movement of people between new and old EU member states, 
3. Globally mobile professionals and intercultural competency in global business,
4. Mainstreaming intercultural understanding in policy making at a all levels, 
5. Linking leaders from “fortress” Europe, Africa and other regions, 
6. Participation at all society levels as a positive measure addressing roots of radicalization.

In the scope of the project a multi-country study on youth political mobilization and radicalization in Europe – the European Survey on Youth Mobilization (ESYM) – is being conducted. The study is co-ordinated by the University of St. Andrews. In Slovakia as many as 300 semi-structured interviews were conducted by CVEK. These interviews  became, together with interviews from other countries, a core for the Intercultural Navigation Manual. Project should be understood as a pilot study for an even more ambitious European Union survey. 

CVEK research on political mobilization and radicalization of the European Youth (ESYM) has been coordinated by Mgr. Peter Hlohinec. Six students of social sciences from the Comenius University participated on the research as researchers:

Pavol Bellan (FF UK, Sociology)

Bc. Táňa Grauzelová (FSEV UK, Social Anthropology)

Bc. Naďa Horňáková (FSEV UK, Social Anthropology)

Peter Krištofič (FF UK, Sociology)

Lukáš Pikulík (FF UK, Sociology)

Bc. Gabriela Tydlitátová (FF UK, Sociology)

This Seminar was organized by the Conference of International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs) of the Council of Europe in the context of the Slovak chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (November 2008 – May 2008). It should be noted that one of the three priorities of the Slovak chairmanship precisely consists in “promoting a citizens’ Europe” and “in strengthening the participation of civil society in the decision-making process at both national and multi-national levels”.

The main aim of this activity was to facilitate contacts between Slovak NGOs and their counterparts at the European level, in particular the INGOs enjoying participatory status with the Council of Europe. This should make it easier for Slovak NGOs to take part in the activities of the INGOs and the Council of Europe, thus strengthening the role of civil society in Slovakia and increasing the visibility of Slovak NGOs in Europe. At the same time, it should offer them an appropriate institutional framework, thus fostering exchanges and partnerships.

A further aim was to familiarize Slovak NGOs with the Council of Europe’s legal instruments in the fields covered during the conference as well as to raise awareness and understanding among the INGOs on Slovak civil society achievements and challenges.

It was proposed that the main topics focus on democracy/citizenship/participation through social issues, especially violence against women, including domestic violence.

Objectives of the Seminar: 
1. To support Slovak NGOs and learn from their experience;
2. To compare the Slovak legislation regarding NGOs and Slovak consultation mechanisms between NGOs and public authorities with the European standards and practice and to foster relations between NGOs and public authorities;
3. To foster contact and co-operation between Slovak NGOs and INGOs enjoying participatory status with the Council of Europe;
4. To familiarize Slovak NGOs with the Council of Europe’s activities, including campaigns and legal instruments. 

Main groups targeted:

Slovak NGOs and INGOs enjoying participatory status with the Council of Europe.

There is not a single migration; there are multiple migrations – experiences, practices and institutions leading to various forms and consequences of modern trans-state mobility. Conference focused at migrating men, women, and children as subjects through whose acts, experiences and narratives migrations can be grasped. At the same time, state officers, social workers, and migrants´ employers were no less relevant as acting subjects. Multiple experiences and meanings of migrations are negotiated in everyday interactions at state offices, social centers and work places. Mobility or up rootedness is an equivalent state of existence to a settled life; both are co-existent in the ambivalent symbiosis. In the social sciences, the settler’s perspective is being preferred and considered the norm. Organizers of the conference were looking for ways to creatively deal with this ambivalence instead of disregarding it. We see the role of social scientists in attempting to de-construct and falsify politics and practices that are rooted unconsciously in nationalized legal norms and the perspective of the settler. 

Organizers aspired to create a lively discussion environment for any scholars who have been active in migration research, not just on the European scale. Keynote speakers brought fresh ideas that were discussed by Ph.D. students and other scholars. We aspired to bring multiple views and by doing this to reinforce critical thinking about migrations in the contemporary world. 

Conference has been divided into two parts: 

1. Theorizing Migration

This session was focused on theoretical reflections of migration processes and their interpretations. The changes in understanding of what exactly does belong into this realm as well as possible consequences of theoretical thinking about migration policy and migration research were discussed. 

2. Researching Migration

Researching migration is a practical as well as epistemological and political issue. The session posed several research methods in order to articulate the possibilities of different approaches. Special emphasis was put on the vitality of the interdisciplinary approach in studying migration and on demonstrations of innovative research approaches. A reviewed volume of the conference papers is being published in English language.

Program of the conference:

Csaba Szaló: Transnational Migrations: Cross-Border Ties, Homes, and Theories, 
Jaanika Kingumets: Journey on Forefront: Diversifying Perceptions on Time and Space in International Migration
Radka Klvaňová: Conceptualizing Inclusion/Exclusion of Migrants in a Transnational Perspective: Ways of Belonging and Non-belonging in a Transnational Social Field
Any Correia Freitas and Philippe Lacour: Reconsidering the “Discoursive Turn” in Social Sciences and Immigration Research
Václav Štětka: Imaginary Homelands: Diasporic Media Spaces and Consumption Practices
Lydia Morris: Managing Migration: Civic Stratification and Migrants´ Rights 
Alice Szczepaniková:  The Practice of Everyday Depoliticization: Relations of Power and Gendered Performances in NGO assistance to Refugees
Mojgan Rahbari: The Marginalized Integration Accounts of Foreign-trained Professional Migrants in Canada: an Analysis of Structural and Institutional Barriers to Integration
Heikki Kerkkanen: Cultural Governmentality in Finnish Integration Policy

Graeme Hugo: Circular Migration and Development: An Asia-Pacific Perspective
Damir Josipovič: Statistical Adaptation to Migration Data: The Post-socialist Perspective
Michal Růžička: Roma Migrations in Post-socialist Czecho-Slovakia
Stefan Rother: “Transnational Political Spaces”: Political Activism of Philippine Labor Migrants in Hong Kong
Wojciech Janicki: New European Post-national Society: Questioning Internal-international Migration Dichotomy

Racism and Xenophobia European Information Network (RAXEN) was established by the European Monitoring Center of Racism and Xenophobia (EUMC) that later has been changed into the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) in 2007. The main objective of the FRA is to offer broad audience in the EU-25 objective, reliable and comparable data on issues of racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism in the territory of member states and to contribute to formulation of effective measures designed to fight racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism. RAXEN Network consists of 25 national groups, one group operating in each member state. National groups are partners of FRA providing needed information and data on national level.

Center for Research of Ethnicity and Culture together with People Against Racism form national group for Slovakia. Particular national groups carry out different tasks specified by FRA, collect information and statistical data about various activities in the area of fight against racism and xenophobia, work out general (general situation in the country) as well as specific reports (employment, education, housing, etc.)

Outputs in 2007:

1. National Data Collection Report aimed at five main areas of discrimination (legislation, education, housing, employment, racial violence). This report as well includes a database of organizations, their activities and publications dealing with discrimination, racism and xenophobia. Annual report on situation in the area of racism and xenophobia in the Slovak Republic and further information material mapping respective area in 2007.

2. RAXEN Bulletin: Bi-monthly newsletter on crucial news in racism and discrimination in Slovakia.