Previous efforts to reach out to early childhood professionals from other countries have proved fruitless. While researching the plight of Roma children on the Unicef website, I found email addresses for two early childhood professionals. I emailed both with questions about the historical roots of the discrimination and segregation of the Roma as well as the prognosis, in each of their opinions, for the Roma culture regarding accessibility to social services and education. I've not yet received responses, but I am optimistic.
sophie.kammerer@coe.int
belgrade@unicef.org
On the UNESCO and Unicef websites, I read about efforts to assist Roma children in the area of education. It is estimated that 50% of Roma children do not complete a primary education. Further, Roma children are less likely than non-Roma children to complete a secondary education. UNESCO and the Council of Europe are working together to the end of the assurance of the right to quality, basic education for Roma children. Access is a common obstacle to education for Roma children (http://www.unesco.org/). Roma people experience difficulty accessing healthcare, education and social service programs as a result of prejudice, stereotypes and discrimination. This discrimination results in physical segregation and the cordoning of the Roma population to the periphery of society. These factors fuel the unending cycle of poverty and exclusion that is passed to subsequent generations (http://www.unicef.org/). The terrible triad of exclusion, discrimination and segregation inhibits Roma children's potential to contribute to the social and economic development of their culture and country of residence. Awareness is the key to discontinuing the effects of this triad of factors. A campaign, launched by the Council of Europe and European Commission, called "Dosta! Go beyond prejudice, discover Roma!" seeks to achieve the acknowledgement of the Roma as complete citizens of their country of residence, and the appreciation of the contribution made by Roma culture to Roma heritage (http://www.unicef.org/).
The plight of Roma children relates to my newly formulated professional goal: To work toward the provision of quality early education for young children everywhere through participation in political and social campaigns.
sophie.kammerer@coe.int
belgrade@unicef.org
On the UNESCO and Unicef websites, I read about efforts to assist Roma children in the area of education. It is estimated that 50% of Roma children do not complete a primary education. Further, Roma children are less likely than non-Roma children to complete a secondary education. UNESCO and the Council of Europe are working together to the end of the assurance of the right to quality, basic education for Roma children. Access is a common obstacle to education for Roma children (http://www.unesco.org/). Roma people experience difficulty accessing healthcare, education and social service programs as a result of prejudice, stereotypes and discrimination. This discrimination results in physical segregation and the cordoning of the Roma population to the periphery of society. These factors fuel the unending cycle of poverty and exclusion that is passed to subsequent generations (http://www.unicef.org/). The terrible triad of exclusion, discrimination and segregation inhibits Roma children's potential to contribute to the social and economic development of their culture and country of residence. Awareness is the key to discontinuing the effects of this triad of factors. A campaign, launched by the Council of Europe and European Commission, called "Dosta! Go beyond prejudice, discover Roma!" seeks to achieve the acknowledgement of the Roma as complete citizens of their country of residence, and the appreciation of the contribution made by Roma culture to Roma heritage (http://www.unicef.org/).
The plight of Roma children relates to my newly formulated professional goal: To work toward the provision of quality early education for young children everywhere through participation in political and social campaigns.
Careyann,
ReplyDeleteMany young children today come to early programs with a fate over which they had no choice or say. There are lots of children all over the world have had their futures limited because of war, displacement, exposure to drugs, sickness and poor living conditions. It is disheartening to hear news about children at a very young age has to experience and deal with it.
In spite of all the issues facing our children today, UNESCO has given us hope that they care for children all over the world and they will seek solutions to help these children have access to better life.
Thank you for opining my eyes to other situations of our children around the world.
I hope your contacts abroad will get in touch with you and share more about their current issues to share with us.