Back to Your Future in UK, NL, SK and EST

A brief presentation of the transnational partnership agreement and activities delivered as a result of the two-year cooperation between EQUAL partners from Estonia, Slovakia, United Kingdom and The Netherlands. Visit TCA presentation here

How do the general public perceive the issues of asylum seekers?

The premier of the Slovak project documentary film People like Us received applauses of participants at the TCA conference, 5-7.2007 in Stara Lesna. The British colleagues congratulated the film director, Mr. Peter Rasev, for his sensitive and clear approach to the theme of asylum seekers and acknowledged the quality of the doc.

A free discussion followed the film screening. Mr. Rasev described the story of the film shooting and explained that most citizens in Slovakia are afraid of refugees for the the lack of information. Sometimes people are 'slaves' of their own stereotypes and ignore immigrants without giving them a chance for realization.

All participants boosted the idea of the movie as a powerful tool for disseminating feelings of the communities and refugees in favour of their integration. Many viewers based on this film will be able to understand aiding and helping as our human duty, although asylum and migration are becoming part of political strains. Choosing the leitmotifs is a very important for pursuing the idea and its nuances. More over as a metaphor, the image of the mother with a child recalls the relation of mail refugees with their families in theri country of origin.

Deliver presentations of the good practices on training for refugees

Actors: social workers and professionals, NGOs and authorities, guest countries, Bart Beemsterboer, NL, and Lucas Lorme, UK

Workshops ICT

The Dutch partners of TCA demonstrated best practices of e-learning education on hardware and software knowledge for asylum seekers. The system presented is suitable both for citizens and asylum seekers. Dutch programs promote also individual educational approach as it is designed to be used on-line. Tests and exams are also available in a on-line versions. 75% of the course’ attendees are successful and after passing the exams obtain ICT certificate.

Slovak participants are interested most of all in the on-line version of the basic skills programme Welcome to Holland, which is designed to introduce migrants to the economy, history and environment in Holland .

Language skills ESOL

This online training of English for foreigners is in particular adapted to the needs and characteristics of asylum seekers as presented during the workshop by Lucas Lorme. He demonstrated how the system operates and also highlighted the main stages of the strategy for social inclusion through English language learning. Participants were explained how trainers cope with trainee’s drops. Different tools and stimuli are used by workers to encourage students to join the English classes.

Language education for refugees is based on a single and clear strategy – education suiting social needs of students. The classroom atmosphere is perceived as a place where they share similar problems. English classes are focussed on thematic topics providing them with both language skills and better knowledge about the host environment and community.

Language courses are completed with different activities as sportive actions, excursions, trips and culture events in order to sustain refugees' social integration and human interaction.

How do we develop our partnership?

The final presentation and evaluation of the TCA activities has been presented during the latest day of the meeting on February 7. Partners will search in the future opportunities for a direct transfer and application of the best practices achieved as a result of this partnership initiative. Estonian partners will use the compendium of competences for professional workers for recruiting the first social workers in the field of asylum policy.

The intention of the Slovak participants is to develop new projects interventions with both Dutch and British partners in order to set up innovative practices of e-learning for language education, vocational and basic skills knowledge. British partners are ready to cooperate with Slovak Society of Goodwill for creating a documentary film about public attitudes to efugees in UK. It should have at least such impact as the film People like Us appearing to suit needs of the Slovak host communities.