On Wednesday, July 17, the Roma Spirit 2019 Award was launched. The Roma Spirit 2019, now in its eleventh year, awards those who actively participate in improving the situation of the Roma in Slovakia.
Roma Spirit 2019 is now open for entries! The general public has the opportunity to send their nominations to recognize notable people, outstanding organisations and employers serving as an example to follow, or activities that contribute to the elimination of discrimination, to the demolition of stereotypes and prejudices, and to the creation of equal opportunities for everyone. You can register your favourites in seven categories by mail, e-mail, or by completing the online application form at www.romaspirit.sk by September 20, 2019.
Enunciators of the Roma Spirit 2019 Award are the Association for Culture, Education and Communication (ACEC), Radio and Television of Slovakia (RTVS), and the Office of the Plenipotentiary of the Slovak Government for Roma Communities. “I am proud that our office is contributing to the dissemination of the idea of cooperation and assistance that was born 11 years ago. This way the public will learn how many people, whether from the community or the majority, are doing everything possible to improve the living conditions of the Roma in Slovakia,” said Ábel Ravasz, Plenipotentiary for Roma Communities, at the press conference.
Roma Spirit 2019 is held under the auspices of Mária Pataky, Public Defender of Rights. “I am delighted that thanks to the Roma Spirit we can learn about concrete positive examples that demonstrate that we can realistically assist the inclusion of this minority using an active approach. I appreciate that there are projects in Slovakia with the aim of solving the problems of the Roma communities that we have not yet solved as a country. I believe that the many positive examples – focusing on education, housing, but also on employment – will inspire and motivate further efforts devoted to the problems, whether within the non-governmental sector or at the national level, ” she declared.
“The Roma Spirit is a prestigious award and its current laureates create an exceptional gallery of portraits of people, collectives, their stories and deeds. As in the past years, we will be looking forward to further nominations and new holders of the winged heart in brave hands,” stated Marta Gajdošíková, the director of Dvojka, Radio and Television of Slovakia (RTVS)
Seven Roma Spirit 2019 Award winners will be selected from a shortlist of 21 finalists by the International Jury Panel and the Jury of the Act of the Year. The International Expert Jury will meet under the auspices of Miroslav Lajčák, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic. The partner of the Act of the Year category is Radio Expres.
“We thank the Roma Spirit 2019 partners and all those who make it possible for us to get to know inspiring people and stories that prove that we can improve Slovakia together even in such an area where there are so many challenges, misery and prejudices!” said Magdaléna Rothová, Director of ACEC.
