Mediation with Roma in Brussels Regional Integration Centre Foyer Brussels

Roma: situation in Brussels Capital Region Strong increase in the number of (registered) Central and Eastern European immigrants since 2007 (Romania & Bulgaria: EU membership) Estimated number of Roma: 6500 in 2004; 10,000 in 2015 Diversity: 3/4 Romanians and Bulgarians Pushfactor: social and econ. marginalization Ambitions: work, papers, stabilize Issues in Brussels: –Job Search –Multi-problematic families –precarious residence status –Schooling problems –Neighborhood problems (nuisances, begging, crime...) –Homeless families (Slovak Roma) –... Evolutions!

Roma & Travellers Service 3 Practices: 1.Support Point Roma & Travellers 2. Mediator team 3. Training centre

Roma & Travellers Service Foyer 1. Support Point Roma & Travellers Information, support and reinforcement of schooling 2nd line: –Target groups: schools, services, public institutions in Brussels –Activities: information, advice, training, mediation, collaboration –Capitalization & dissemination !!! e.g. municipal action plan Anderlecht, MOE action plan Flanders, National Roma strategy, … 1 st line: –Target groups: Roma & travellers –Activities: mediation, family support, information, guidance, referral, reference adress

ROMED in Belgium  Training of Roma mediators

Evolution of incoming demands at the Roma and Travellers Service Demand: -Huge: 2014: 2600 demands 2nd line, 700 demands1st line -Mainstream doesn’t fit (+ Mattheus effect) -Explicit  inclusion

Schooling Social obstacles Cultural obstacles Pedagogical obstacles

How to improve schooling? Goal 1: Garantee that kids LIKE TO KEEP COMING to school Ultimate objectif: School = positif experience  internal motivation  Method: 1.Pupils: Act motivating 2.Class: Create stimulating environment 3.School: Increase intercultural skills of school staff 4.Family: Strengthen relationship family – school

Roma & Travellers Service Foyer 2. Mediator team Facilitating communication and collaboration between families and public institutions, social actors and schools Strengthen ties of confidence between families and schools in view of improvement of schooling Target groups: –Schools and educational guidance services in Brussels –Social and judicial bodies –Roma families

3 types of mediators Party 1 Public institution Party 2 Roma Community Intercultural mediator Party 1 Public institution Party 2 Roma Community Mediator as i nstitution employee The mediator as a “Trojan Horse”, an instrument controlled by the institution and aimed at changing the community The mediator as a community activist, fighting for the institution to consider the requests of the community Party 1 Public institution Party 2 Roma Community Mediator as community activist The real intercultural mediator is working in a balanced way with both the public institution and the community and facilitates the communication and cooperation between them, helping overcome cultural and status differences. In this relationship, both parties are considered as having equally legitimate interests. Both are expected to take responsibility and engage in a mutually agreed change process. Parties should agree with this role for the mediator.

Mediator team – objectifs schooling  Improvement of schooling degree –Guiding –Remobilising –Mediating  Better implementation of parents –Sensibilising –Informing –Mobilising –Listening  Creating basic conditions –Family support, guidance –Mediation youth protection services  Increasing knowledge and understanding by social, public and school actors about Roma situation –Advising –Information sessions  Supporting pupils in school -Presence

Mediator team – other objectifs  Creating and strengthening networks -Coordinated and consequent approach Roma minors -Formalisation of collaboration  Neighborhood mediation: -Collaboration with local actors about neighborhood problems and opportunities -Roma infosessions -...

 Mediators: Profile Training Coaching Teamwork  Schools / services: Clear agreements, expectations and mutual responsibilities Formalization of cooperation  systematization! Network approach: on 1 line  Roma community: Mutual feedback Appreciation and needs New actions Mediator team - conditions

School mediation – results 1) Higher school attendance 2) Improved implementation of parents 3) Improved knowledge and comprehension by social, public and school actors about Roma situation 4) More adequate and efficient action 5) Improved follow-up of families

School mediation – difficulties Lack of ultimate mesures for persistent truants Non-subscribed children Subscription in nursery school Adolescent dropouts: pregnant students, young mothers, … Financial problems, general precarity Lack of places in schools  subscription difficulties (discrimination?) Temporary projects with uncertain status

How to improve schooling? Goal 1: Garantee that kids LIKE TO KEEP COMING to school Ultimate objectif: School = positif experience  internal motivation  Method: 1.Pupils: Act motivating 2.Class: Create stimulating environment 3.School: Increase intercultural skills of school staff 4.Family: Strengthen relationship family – school

Roma & Travellers Service Foyer 3. Training centre Molenbeek Increase autonomie, self-esteem and social functioning through training and guidance towards labor market Target groups: adolescents with very problematic school carreer Activities: –Personnel development trajects –Learning contracts –Guidance towards labor market

Basic principles 1) Need to establish confidence –Take care of your communication –Provide sufficient information –Show involvement –Adjust your own expectations 2) Need for responsibilization –Create awareness about reality –Be clear and consistent –Allow negotiation –Promote self-reliance New generation Roma:

Roma & Travellers Service Foyer 02/ Mommaertsstraat 22, 1080 Molenbeek (Post: Werkhuizenstraat 25, 1080 Molenbeek) More info, articles, reportages, dossiers, etc: ‘Roma in beweging’, Foyer, june 2014 ‘Les Roms en action’, Foyer, nov 2014