Small Steps Forward

On Tuesday November 26^th, Michael Schmunk, the ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Slovakia, visited the township of Rankovce. He was invited by the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung representative in SR.   Another invited guest was Alexander Mušinka, from Institute of Roma Studies at the University of Prešov in Prešov.

First the visitors stopped at some newly-built Roma homes and then the group moved to the municipal office building of Rankovce, where further dialogue took place. In the discussions, the ambassador mostly concentrated on the issue of employment of the Roma population currently living in disadvantaged conditions. He made proposals directed toward the creation of additional infrastructure in the community, soliciting new investors and creating more working places.

Finally, in the local community center, Slávka Mačáková presented some details about projects which the non-profit organization ETP Slovakia operates concerning the housing and education of Roma children and adults.