Presentation from the Romanian partners about “Multicultural Romania”.

INTERCULTURAL DIMENSION IN ROMANIA

ROMANIAN PEOPLE-OPEN TO

INTERCULTURALITY

The largest of the Balkan countries, Romania has seen numerous empires come and go from the Romans, to the Ottomans, the Austro-Hungarians and many others…

People:Nationality: Romanian(s).Population: 21.7 million.Ethnic groups: Romanians 89.5%; Hungarians (including Szecklers) 6.5%; Roma 2.5%; other ethnic groups -1.5% .Religions: Eastern Orthodox - 86.7%; Roman-Catholic-4.7%; Protestant - 3.2%; Greek-Catholic - 0.9%, Evangelical - 0.1%; Unitarian - 0.3%; other religions - 0.4%.Languages: Romanian (official), Hungarian, German.

Much of what we know as Romania today, was originally the Roman province of Dacia.

Emperor Trajan conquered the Daci people around AD 106, and set about the building of roads and bridges.

The Goths forced the Romans back across the Danube in the 3rd century AD, and other invaders followed.

Throughout the inter-marriages and assimilation that followed, the romanised people still held onto their Latin language and culture.

Towards the end of the 13th century, the roaming Magyars expanded their territory.

The people who were forced from the western provinces over the Carpathians then established the principalities of Walachia and Moldavia; under Hungarian and Polish dominion.

When the Ottomans defeated the Hungarians in 1526, Walachia and Moldavia came under Turkish control for three hundred years.

Russia also fought many wars with the Turks, as they tried to advance down the coast of the Black Sea and into the Balkans.

In 1861 Walachia and Moldavia united, and were recognised by the Turkish sultan as the autonomous principality of Romania.

Romanian independence was finally recognised in 1878.

What we got from all these peoples that inhabited us:

Latins: language, culture, selfSlavons: romanticism, religion, mysticismTurks: courage in the battle, intrigues, foodMagyars: pride, food, eleganceGermans: order, cleanness, diligence

Roma minority has a special status

The dialogue with this people is hindered by numerous stereotypes and prejudices: they respect only their laws, they steal, beg, don’t want to work or to learn.

They are currently perceived as a social problem and a source of national shame, but if there is a sustained investment program in their education, the problem could become a benefit not only for Romania but for the EU itself.

What is the Intercultural dialogue?

Intercultural dialogue is a process that comprises an open and respectful exchange or interaction between individuals, groups and organisations with different cultural backgrounds or world views. Among its aims are: to develop a deeper understanding of diverse perspectives and practices; to increase participation and the freedom and ability to make choices; to foster equality; and to enhance creative processes. In this sense, intercultural dialogue processes or encounters are to go beyond a mere 'tolerance of the other' and can involve creative abilities that convert challenges and insights into innovation processes and into new forms of expression.

What people say about the intercultural dialogue:

“…is a coulourful exchange, more than a conversation, more even than a dialogue, in which boundaries are being crossed, assumptions put aside, new visions come to mind…(Maria, Romanian magyar)

“ It doesn’t matter if we are Magyars or Germans or Romanians, we were grown up together , we went to school together, we speak the same language…we don’t even realize when we are speaking our native language, we understand each other in any of them” (Klaus, from Sibiu)

“According to me, it means to be open and have a genuine respect for an unknown culture. To let go prejudices, to try and understand the other…” (Georgeta, student in Bucharest)

“In every member state we have to take what is better from its cultural and spiritual legacy. We will have to face these challenges with responsibility, and we will succeed only if we break down the barriers of ignorance through dialogue. The ignorant and offending stereotypes regarding one people or another should for ever disappear.”

Jan Figel, the European Commissioner for Culture and Education

Intercultural dimension in Romania. Romanian people - open to interculturalism

Activities in HID Grundtvig project up to 1-st of February 2010

•Selected the target group of adults – 30 teachers – belonging to minorities in Bucharest or teaching in intercultural classes •Researched on intercultural aspects in Romania •Designing a questionnaire•Interviews and discussions with adults in our target group•Announcing the application of the questionnaire•Workshop – Intercultural dimension- presenting the HID project •Dissemination- in educational system in Bucharest- 50 schools and high-schools in Bucharest received the brief presentation of HID project•Presentation of HID project on the website of the Teacher Training Center Bucharest •Creating the discussion group

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HiD2009

Cecilia IUGASimona LUCA

CCD Bucharest, ROMANIA