Closing Conference of the “Pedagogy Scholarship Program” Marks a New Beginnin: The REF Educators Network
On December 7, 2024, the Roma Education Fund Romania hosted the closing conference of the Pedagogy Scholarship Program, funded by the Velux Foundations and REF. The event brought together teachers, mentors, scholarship recipients, and civil society representatives, creating an inspiring space for workshops, exchanges of best practices, and motivational stories.
“Over the past ten years, this Velux-funded program has contributed to the development of both Roma and non-Roma educators working primarily in Roma communities. The project has not ended but has transformed into the REF Educators Network — an international and national network of education professionals. The primary goal of this network is to invest in the academic preparation of teachers in Roma communities, fostering an intercultural educational environment where every child and parent feels supported and valued. Through this network, we aim to collaborate with educational professionals to promote Roma cultural identity in educational spaces and beyond, helping Roma children feel a sense of belonging within mainstream society,” said Maria Luiza Medeleanu, Intercultural Education Expert at REF Romania.
During the conference, the REF Romania team launched the guide “Intercultural Education – From Theory to Practice,” designed for teachers. This guide is a valuable resource for promoting diversity and intercultural education in Romanian schools. The event featured a series of thematic workshops highlighting the importance of diversity and empathy in education.
Daniela Stoicescu, Educational Expert at Roma Education Fund, shared:
“The guide Intercultural Education – From Theory to Practice was created by preschool and primary school teachers who work in multicultural settings, particularly in Roma communities. It offers a collection of learning activities that leverage the presence of children from various ethnic backgrounds and national minorities. Through daily activities aligned with the curriculum, children can develop critical thinking skills to better understand and appreciate cultural differences.”
One of the workshops explored techniques for intercultural education and literacy using Todd Parr’s book “It’s Okay to Be Different.” The activities were designed to foster empathy and promote diversity while aligning with school curriculum competencies.
Rebeca Gheorghe, a teacher at “Sf. Ierarh Nicolae” Secondary School in Bucu, Ialomița County, Romania, explained:
“We created a safe space for participants using trust games and interactive techniques such as the ‘3-2-1 Bridge.’ The collaborative puzzle we made became a metaphor for unity and the value of each individual contribution. The final message is simple yet powerful: ‘Being different is what makes us special.’”
Another workshop focused on identifying similarities and differences among people, emphasizing the uniqueness of each individual. Mirabela Pâslariu, a preschool teacher at Primary School No. 2 in Oneaga, Botoșani County, Romania, stated:
“I worked with my students on intercultural themes, and their positive energy inspired me to share these methods with my colleagues. We read from Nelson Mandela’s Long Walk to Freedom and created a collective poster celebrating diversity. Our responsibility is to preserve the innocence of children and cultivate respect for other cultures.”
About the REF Educators Network
The REF Educators Network will continue the mission of supporting inclusive education and cultural diversity. The network aims to train and support educators and education specialists working in Roma communities, promoting quality education in schools in Romania and beyond.
The Pedagogy Scholarship Program — funded by the #VELUX and #REF foundations — was implemented between 2014 and 2024 in Romania, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary.
