Experience exchange and inspiring conversations in Târgu Mureș

Staff members of the Autonómia Foundation from Hungary and Caritas Alba Iulia met in Târgu Mureș for an experience exchange and joint reflection as part of their shared project called Rise, supported by the European Union. On the first day of the two-day meeting, the professionals held discussions at the Caritas House in Târgu Mureș, and the following day they visited the village of Csejd, where they joined in the playful activities of the local day center together with the children and their educators.

A brief overview of the Rise program
The goal of the professionals working together on this project is to create a more inclusive school environment and a more accepting social context for Roma and non-Roma children aged 12 to 18, with the aim of reducing and preventing school dropout. They strive to meet this goal through individual and group sessions focused on fine skill development, personalized mentoring, and both formal and non-formal activities. Additionally, they  emphasize supporting the children’s family and school environments, as well as building and strengthening networks between educational and social institutions.

Seeing and thinking in systems
Those working in the social sphere help the most vulnerable groups in society – individuals marginalized because of their ethnicity, belonging, gender, or age, who are excluded, stigmatized, and often viewed with prejudice. Most social organizations have the tools and methods to help integrate these disadvantaged groups into society and to sensitively influence various communities to foster more empathy and acceptance. However, since it is
difficult to bring about change in behavior and habits that have solidified into culture, and to refine mindsets distorted by prejudice, social workers must continuously reflect on their methods and tools and innovate them as well.

During the gathering, one of the most effective ways of reflection proved to be sharing personal experiences, along with a presentation by András Borbély, a youth mentor at Caritas Alba Iulia’s Gheorgheni branch. The presentation was followed by thought-provoking discussions, a film screening, and further dialogue. The aim was to broaden perspectives so that those mentoring disadvantaged youth can work in the future with new approaches and methods inspired by personal ideas.

Productive work and reproductive work
The concepts of productive and reproductive work were also discussed. Productive work generates profit and is paid. Reproductive work does not generate profit, is often unpaid or very poorly paid, yet without it, productive work could not be carried out effectively. Household work and raising children are examples of such labor.

“One Day” – or freedom exists outside the box-shaped system
To better understand reproductive work, the Hungarian film One Day was screened. The film follows a day in the life of a working mother of three. The family’s daily routine, lifestyle, difficulties, and lack of perspective strikingly reminded participants of both their own lives and the everyday realities of the disadvantaged youth they mentor. How can one break out of – and help others escape – this rat race? Perhaps through out-of-the-box thinking, free will, responsible action, and stepping out of the victim role? Could such personal examples inspire marginalized individuals to build a better quality of life?

Article: Júlia Orbán
Translation: Karola Bartos-Siposs
Photos: Caritas Alba Iulia

This event was organized in the framework of project „Rise” with the financial support of the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the European comission can be held responsible for them.

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