Dzeno Association - Prague

We will visit Dzeno on the 14th of March

Ivan, founder of Dzeno, stregnthens the Roma communities in the Czech Republic by providing mediums for Romani self-representation. While the Czech Republic is one of the countries with the most success in post-communist development it has been unsuccessful in integrating its Roma population, which is facing extreme discrimination. Just after the dissolution of Czechoslovakia in 1992 many Roma had their Czech citizenship revoked, which turned them into second-class citizens and many more were pushed into the outskirts of cities or into urban getthoes. Ivan strenghtens the Romani communiy by providing alternative means for representation by building bridges among the Roma and non-Roma people. He has created a media platform alternative to the dominant media in which he fights the anti-Romani stereotypes. In 1994 he established the Dzeno Association that gives a voice to the Roma. His association runs its own magazine and radio station tailored to tthe needs of the Roma. At the same time he is training and employing Romani journalists. Ivan is changing the position of the Roma in society by providing unbiased information from the regions and communities on issues facing the Roma population. He is substantially changing the perception of the Roma in society, changing their socio-econonomic status, and creating a multicultural society. His association has published more than 700 articles and press releases for the Czech media. Ivan is today one of the most respected Romani advocates and spokesmen for the Roman community in the Czech Republix as well as Central and Eastern Europe.

http://www.dzeno.cz/