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The justification of the participation on D&H-5Projects by
Caritas |
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Diocesan Caritas
organizations run over 40 shelters expressly for the homeless
people in Poland providing them with various services. Caritas
is thus naturally concerned with the lot of this group. We are
also aware of the manifold reasons and the gradual processes
of marginalization taking place in our society of which
homelessness is but an extreme expression. These processes
seem to have been on the increase since the overthrow of the
Communist system. A polarization is taking place within
society and the divide grows between those who manage to catch
up with rapid social and technological developments and those
who for various reasons do not. People with all kinds of
mental handicaps – from diseases, addictions, and disturbances
to sheer sense of disempowerment and helplessness –
constitute a meaningful part of Polish society and despite
efforts on the part of authorities and NGO’s continue to be
marginalized by various mechanisms and practices. Hence the
need for a strategy of inclusion in which EU membership and
context could play a significant role.
One important
aspect of the present situation, especially in the context of
the main subject theme envisaged for the Small Seminar in
Warsaw (which is Marginalization vs. Work), is the
introduction of a new law on “social employment” in Poland.
This law aims at creating structures and mechanisms
facilitating reintegration of the marginalized individuals
into the job market. Caritas is deeply involved through one
of its local organizations, namely of Kielce region, in the
work on the initiation and implementation of this new law.
Caritas Kielce belongs to the Confederation of Social NGO’s
(headed by Barka), which was formed for that purpose.
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List of target groups and participants in the event, of direct
and indirect beneficiaries |
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Participants:
1.
Representatives of central and local government (Ministry of
Health; Ministry of Economy, Labour and Social Policy;
officials from local government in Warsaw responsible for
social matters and cooperation with NGO’s)
2. NGO’s
working in the field (e.g. Towarzystwo Pomocy Św. Br.
Alberta;
Monar-Markot; Chleb Życia, Koalicja na Rzecz Zdrowia
Psychicznego)
3.
Representatives of the media
Target
groups:
Various categories of disadvantaged and marginalized groups,
i.e.: the homeless, the mentally ill, the children and youth
from dysfunctional families, the disabled.
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Reasons for the selection of the target groups and
participants in the event and activities |
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Close cooperation
of public (central and local) authorities with relevant NGO’s
is indispensable for tackling the problems of
marginalization. While public authorities are equipped with
decision-making powers, legal prerogatives, specialized
structures and financial means, the NGO’s have expertise and
field personnel. There is a need to combine both sides in a
way that would benefit the recipients of aid in a real and
sustainable way. There is further need of NGO’s coming more
together both in field work and exchanges with the government.
European context is also very important as it enables the
exchange and influence by examples of good practice. In all
this media have its role to play . |
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Relevance of the project to the target groups or participants
in the event |
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Both governmental
and non-government side try to pursue the same goal of
reducing the sphere of marginalization. Good communication,
understanding are necessary to achieve this objective. More
common planning should take place. |
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Relevance of the project to the objectives of the programme
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The project will
bring together important agents in the field within Poland and
on the European plane thus heightening awareness,
strengthening the working environment and animating sensible
actions to improve the lot of the ultimate users. |
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Relevance of the project to the priorities of the programme
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A preliminary list of speakers & participants |
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To be worked out
in cooperation with Barka |
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Level of involvement-activity of other organisations,
partners or others, in the project |
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Caritas Polska is a coordinating body for the network of
over 40 diocesan Caritas organizations. We shall seek
first of participation and representation in the
project of the local Caritas organization working with
the homeless, mentally ill and other marginalized
groups. Besides other NGO’s of the Warsaw locality will
be invited to participate to complement, if necessary,
the representation by the Confederation of Social NGO’s
led by Barka. |
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