Major Challenges | ICD is to be a key topic for the Slovenian EU Presidency in first half of 2008; To make good use of potential resulting from experience of various geographical, political and historical roots (e.g. Habsburg Monarchy, Central Europe, Balkans, Mediterranean), especially through close connections with the other Ex-Yugoslavian republics, still outside of the EU. Repercussions of globalisation on a relatively small country (threatened by the loss of cultural elements such as Slovene language); Social inclusion of Roma minority. |
Main Interpretations | Mobility, multilingualism, common European values, building good neighbourhoods. |
No general authority, but
Office for National Minorities
(http://www.uvn.gov.si/en/)
Offers assistance to Italian and Hungarian minorities and is in charge of special rights for the Roma community living in Slovenia. Further efforts and activities of the Office will be centred on the implementation of the Roma Community Act (see below).
Government Commission for the two national communities and the
Government Commission for the protection of the Romany ethnic community
(http://www.uvn.gov.si/si/splosno/novice/novica/period/1178793061///article/66/1221/?cHash=92ce8ffe80)
Policies:
Commission of National Assembly for the national communities (Italian, Hungarian)
(http://www.dz-rs.si/index.php?id=8)
EYID-coordination body:
Ministry of Culture
(http://www.mk.gov.si/)
National implementation strategy http://ec.europa.eu/culture/eac/dialogue/strategies_en.html
Department for the cultural rights of minorities and development of cultural diversity
within the Ministry of Culture
(http://www.mk.gov.si/)
Guaranteeing the special cultural rights of minorities and developing the monitoring and evaluation model. In 2006, cultural projects of minorities were identified as a sub-programme in the national budget for culture which is divided into four separate areas of cultural activities: official minorities (i.e. Hungarians and Italians), the Roma population, other ethnic minorities (i.e. new minorities), blind and deaf people.
POLICIES:
National Programme for Culture (2004 -2007): established "Promotion of Cultural Ddiversity" and "Providing the Accessibility of Cultural Goods and Conditions for Creativity" among its 10 general priorities. Legal basis inforcing special measures for ethnic groups is provided in the Exercising of the Public Interest in Culture Act (2002).
Republic of Slovenia Public Fund for Cultural Activities (JSKD)
(http://www.jskd.si/english/e_about.htm)
JSKD provides support for cultural events and educational activities of minorities on all public levels. Through its 58 offices, it stimulates the development of amateur art, e.g. interaction between majority and minority cultural groups, their societies and local communities. There are two fields with special emphasis on ICD: literature (seminars, workshops, literature competitions, publishing) and programmes related to ethnic minorities.
Ministry of Education and Sport
(http://www.mss.gov.si/en/)
Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology
(http://www.mvzt.gov.si/en/)
Since 2000, active citizenship education and civic culture have been included in primary education. The intercultural approach (based on mutual tolerance, respect of differences and ability to live in a democratic society) is defined in all documents which form the basis for the realisation of educational activities in the Republic of Slovenia.
Language education policy is given a special importance for shaping linguistic tolerance, and developing democratic and multi-cultural citizenship
Curricula are currently being updated and will include elements of ICD: In-service teacher training programmes and project work in pre-school centres and schools are also foreseen.
Policies:
Office of Youth, within the Ministry of Education and Sport
(http://www.uradzamladino.gov.si/en/)
Support for international exchanges and the funding of trips for children and young people; creation of conditions for the inclusion of young people in social processes.
EX: National coordination of EU Action programme ‘Youth for Tolerance and Democracy'.
Ministry of Education, Science and Sport
(http://www.mss.gov.si/en/)
No direct ICD-related tasks.
Slovenian Olympic Academy (SOA) and its Club of the Slovenian Olympians
(http://www.olympic.si/index.php?id=271)
Body of the National Olympic Committee. Its main mission is to diffuse Olympism as a philosophy of life, in order to promote the development of those physical and moral qualities which are the basis of sport, including fair play and peaceful cooperation.
PLUS: Annual programmes in the fight against violence, discrimination, social exclusion, mutual understanding and intercultural and inter-religious dialogue within the sports movement (associations and clubs) as well as within the extracurricular and, in some cases, also in the curricular activities in the Slovenian primary and secondary schools.
Organisations being active in the respective fields (culture, education, media, youth, sports);
NGOs and other forms of civil society in the spheres of culture and the cultural heritage, education, youth and human rights, especially those operating on the European level or endeavouring to spread the idea of European cooperation and European citizenship.
EX: Peace Institute (http://www.mirovni-institut.si/eindex.htm)
Profile: Centre for activities against xenophobia, founded in 1991 by independent intellectuals; the focus extended from peace studies to the embracement of contemporary social and political studies, dealing with e.g. racism and political conflicts, cultural studies, political and social practice. Later action research studies and projects - media, civil society, East-East cooperation - have been included.
Ministry of Culture (see 2.)
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
(http://www.mzz.gov.si/en)
Ministry of Education and Sports (see 3./ 5.)
There is no comprehensive strategy but support for different individual projects such as:
EX:
