Today begins a study tour in the Czech Republic for a representatives of NGOs and independent media organizations from the South Caucasus. They came at the invitation of the Independent social ecological movement – NESEHNUTÍ that provides support their public campaigns implemented in the south Caucasus. The aim of their stay in our country is to establish contacts with NGOs, media and experts dealing with the topics that Caucasian NGOs deal at home.
The study tour will last until 25 October 2015. Participants will have the opportunity to become acquainted with the work of various NGOs, the media, universities and public institutions. The purpose of the study visit is to provide active people from the south Caucasus inspiration and experience of Czech organizations and help build partnerships for future cooperation. People who came from the Caucasus are active in nonprofit organizations with a variety of topics – from human rights, domestic violence, rights of sexual minorities, assistance to the disabled and independent media to environmental organizations.
“This study tour brings together people who would not be able to meet in the Caucasus just like that due to armed conflicts which took place there. Together there will be working for three weeks for example a representative of Abkhazian and Georgian organizations, Azerbaijani human rights activist and Armenian fighter for the rights of persons with disabilities “, Milan Štefanec of NESEHNUTÍ describes the diversity of the composition of the Caucasus delegation.
Interns will be familiar with for example Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty and Daily magazine Referendum, they will attend the course of working with new media at Charles University (organized and provided by Josef Šlerka) and they will have the excursion at the Department of Journalism, Faculty of Social Studies at Masaryk University in Brno as well. In addition, they will attend an internship in non-governmental organizations dealing with equal opportunities for men and women in society (Forum 50%, Gender Studies FSS MU), dealing with physically disabled persons (Assistance o.p.s), then organizations working with victims of crimes (White Circle of Safety), those protecting human rights (People in Need, Human Rights League) and the environmental and voluntary institutions (NESEHNUTÍ, educational facilities for environmental education LIPKA). There will also be one day devoted to the topic of Roma and familiarity with the work of the Museum of Roma Culture, outreach workers, Trade Gypsy Mama that will be followed by discussion with the participants of the program MEDIA VOICE. This program empowers the young people coming from variety of social and cultural environment to collaborate and participate on the public discussion.
“For participants is also prepared video activism training prepared by Transnistria activist Denis Marchkov who has an experience with working in unrecognized and repressive regime, together with Czech journalist Vojtěch Boháč, who provides coverage of war events in the Donbas, Crimea and conflict areas. ” says in addition to program Jaromír Němec, coordinator of The Initiative Way, the program of NESEHNUTÍ.
NESEHNUTÍ provides study tour participants, who often come from post-conflict regions, a unique opportunity to learn how the civil sector works in Czech Republic and in the central Europe. The study tour participants were recruited from initiatives who previously received support from NESEHNUTÍ under The Initiative Way program (en.cestainiciativy.cz) in the form of a microgrants, educational workshops or seminars, individual coaching and by providing an expert background for their work.
“It is not just about the fact that the interns from Caucasus gain experience from the Czech Republic. It works in both ways mutually. For example campaign <Accessible Yerevan> for wheelchair capital of Armenia with its interactive map of accessibility, with the control of the municipal budget and effective use of public money for the removal of architectural barriers is inspiring for the Czech cities and nonprofit organizations, ” comments another benefit of foreign internships Irena Markova from NESEHNUTÍ.
Financial support for activities of NESEHNUTÍ in the Caucasus were provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic and the International Visegrad Fund and European Union through the program the Erasmus plus in an open grant procedure. NESEHNUTÍ also receives individual support from people in the Czech Republic and abroad who regularly donate funds to the transparent bank account of the organization.
Contacts:
Irena Marková, NESEHNUTÍ, +420 732 407 890, irena.markova@nesehnuti.cz
Jaromír Němec, NESEHNUTÍ, +420 775 264 711, jaromir.nemec@nesehnuti.cz
Milan Štefanec, NESEHNUTÍ, +420 605 239 579, milan.stefanec@nesehnuti.cz