Social inclusion refers to status, rights, meaningful participation and fair treatment of everyone in society. We partner with the following groups and work together in our commitment against discrimination.
Migrant communities
The Migrant Integration Policy Index ( MIPEX) is a fully interactive tool and reference guide that we designed to assess, compare and improve integration policy. It measures integration policies in all European Union Member States plus Norway, Switzerland, Canada and the USA. Using 148 policy indicators MIPEX creates a rich, multi-dimensional picture of migrants’ opportunities to participate in society by assessing governments’ commitment to integration. By measuring policies and their implementation it reveals whether all residents are guaranteed equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities.
Partners: Migration Policy Group, Soros Foundation Romania
Refugees and asylum seekers
The issue of forced migration (the case of refugees and asylum seekers coming to Romania) is an important one because Romania has recently gone through a status change. Romania used to be regarded solely as a country of origin; it is now also seen as a transit country and a destination country.
We have been creating opportunities for refugees to get better access to education, including providing free English classes.
Other British Council projects, such as Tolerance Day and World Refugee Day, aim to raise the public’s awareness of the difficulties that refugees have integrating into society.
The projects have included photo exhibitions, informative sessions, non-formal education activities, and workshops with members from migrant communities on traditional cuisine, fashion, visual arts and music.
Partners: UNHCR, Refugee Women’s Organisation in Romania
Classroom resources
If you are a teacher and wish to explain refugees and migrants’ situation to students, during history and civic education classes, use British Council’s free educational pack: Living Together and Queens of Syria.
Roma communities
The Roma community constitute one of the principal ethnic minorities in Romania and the most socially and economically disadvantaged with limited access to social services and adequate housing. They suffer from social discrimination as well as high illiteracy and unemployment rates.
For the past three years, we have been working, in partnership with charities, to increase the integration of vulnerable Roma children and youths. We have provided them with free English classes and integrate them with other communities in Romanian through many of our projects and activities.
Partners: Policy Centre for Roma and Minorities, Ascendent Foundation, European Association for Progress
People with disabilities
We focus on the abilities behind the disabilities through our Diversity Week project, which takes place annually in October. The project was developed in partnership with Light into Europe Foundation. We celebrate diversity and encourage active participation of people with a sensory impairment in the cultural life of the community.
Communities affected by poverty and social exclusion
We support the activities of charities fighting homelessness and extreme poverty (Casa Ioana Association) and focus on projects enhancing the educational opportunities of vulnerable children.