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Open Society Fund Prague is a Czech foundation with a 30-year history. Our mission is to nurture democracy in the Czech Republic. We support and educate civil society and encourage the state to develop into a place where everyone has equal chances and participates in various activities in their surroundings. We open up sensitive and neglected topics and together with donors we seek trailblazers who will carry them forward. Over the last 30 years, we have supported more than 10,000 projects done by Czech non-profit organizations and individuals with more than 2 billion Czech crowns.
Eight years after the D.H. judgement a comprehensive desegregation of schools must take place
Eight years ago today, the Czech Republic was condemned by the European Court of Human Rights for discriminating against Roma children in its education system in the landmark D.H. judgment. Piecemeal measures post 2007 failed to eliminate discrimination and in…
Czech parent group in favor of inclusion says the state’s approach is the biggest obstacle
In the Czech Republic, the Alliance of Parents for Inclusion (Aliance Rodiče za inkluzi) has been striving for more than a year to bolster the role played by parents in the process of including children with disabilities into mainstream schools…
Young Czech student starting Roma projects internship at Canadian Embassy
Adriana Trejtnarova, a young Czech university student from the north Bohemian town of Broumov, is starting her three-month internship at the Canadian Embassy in Prague today. The young student of Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague was selected in…
Interview with Liz Birnbaum: In approaching a problem I try to understand the underlying causes of it
What are some of the basic advocacy practices that NGOs should follow when engaging in advocacy? Key elements for NGOs approaching an advocacy campaign are (1) to thoroughly research the issues, (2) to approach decisionmakers in a way that makes…
Sustaining Ukraine’s Breakthrough
NEW YORK – Following a crescendo of terrifying violence, the Ukrainian uprising has had a surprisingly positive outcome. Contrary to all rational expectations, a group of citizens armed with not much more than sticks and shields made of cardboard boxes…
Europe’s Ukrainian Lifeline
NEW YORK – Last weekend’s European Parliament election and presidential election in Ukraine produced sharply contrasting results. Europe’s voters expressed their dissatisfaction with the way that the European Union currently functions, while Ukraine’s people demonstrated their desire for association with…
New Minister will have to deal with the infringement
The Minister of Education Kateřina Valachová will have to face personnel stabilization of the Ministry, Amendment to the University Act, which is in the Chamber of Deputies and next Amendment to the Education Act, which is supposed to introduce one…
Štěpán Drahokoupil k odhadu počtu romských žáků na ZŠ: Na zhodnocení inkluzivní reformy je ještě brzy
Počet romských žáků, kteří jsou vzděláváni jako žáci s lehkým mentálním postižením, zůstává v zásadě stejný. Aktuální data ministerstva školství vlastně potvrzují dřívější zjištění ze zápisů do prvních tříd a z přestupů dětí z bývalých praktických škol, že se žádné masové přesuny žáků nekonají. Apokalyptické…
Inclusive education in Canada is a reality
When Harland Sanders began selling fried chicken, he was no different from anyone else. What turned his efforts into the famous KFC restaurant was a few small details, among them the secret ingredients of his spice mix. What is the…
Czech Republic: Eight years after the D.H. judgement a comprehensive desegregation of schools must take place
Eight years ago today, the Czech Republic was condemned by the European Court of Human Rights for discriminating against Roma children in its education system in the landmark D.H. judgment. Piecemeal measures post 2007 failed to eliminate discrimination and in…