Seminars for coalition partners

On 13, 20 and 27 April 2021, seminars were held for broadly understood coalition partners: employees of various institutions, offices and NGOs. Quite a large group were police officers working in our Voivodeship. The action serves to better utilise the structures of social assistance and other institutions and organisations in order to integrate foreigners, as well as support specific cooperation between them to assist in the integration of third-country nationals.

Meeting topics: “Counteracting human trafficking and slave labor in the context of immigration of foreigners – opportunities for assistance”. Classes were led by Second Lieutenant Commander of the Border Guard Robert Mroczek – President of the Pomeranian Voivodeship Team for Counteracting Human Trafficking, coordinator of the Maritime Border Guard Unit for Combating and Preventing Human Trafficking. The second topic was “Integration of foreign children and families – good practices” which was presented by the Director of Primary School No. 57 in Gdansk, Mrs Anna Listewnik.

The last meeting within the seminar is scheduled for 25/05/2021.

Attention foreigners – completion of support in information and advisory centres

There will still be information and advice centres until the end of May 2021. In addition to specialists for advice and integration assistance, you can also benefit from legal assistance, an interpreter or a psychologist. We encourage you to take advantage of the support, preferably after prior telephone or email contact. Contact details can be found in the “Advice centres” tab. Please note, the office in Gdynia is temporarily located at 130 Legionów Street, room 110. At the same time we would like to inform that the support in the form of vocational counselling and sworn translations ended on 31/03/2021.

Completion of methodical courses on teaching Polish as a foreign language for teachers working in Pomorskie Voivodeship

On 15/05/2021, the last Polish language teaching methodology course conducted under the project ended. A total number of 12 courses for teachers from the Pomeranian Voivodeship were held between 2019 and 2021. The first 6 courses were implemented in the period June-December 2019 and were held stationary. These courses were implemented by Stowarzyszenie Vox Humana association and Fundacja Obywatelska Perspektywa foundation. From November 2020 to May 2021, another 6 courses were held – due to the epidemic situation, the classes were conducted remotely. Course provider: Polish Language Academy and Polessa Polish Language Centre. A total of 186 teachers benefited from the courses throughout the duration of the project.

Polish language courses for foreigners completed

Dear foreigners! At the end of February we completed our Polish language courses. Classes were conducted on different levels (A1, A2, B1). Classes were held stationary in Tri-City till March 2020r and from April 2020 till February 2021r. in the form of online courses. Total number of courses since the beginning of the project: 32, while the total number of participants: 282. Classes conductor: Accent School of Polish.

Summary of activities carried out within the project in 2019

In the passing year, as part of the project “Support for foreigners from outside the European Union in Pomeranian Province in 2018 – 2020” co-financed from the National Programme of the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, the following were implemented:

– Operating information and advisory centres – the centres operated from April 2019 until the end of the year and provided free assistance to foreigners in the field of counselling and support on issues of legalisation of stay, administrative and legal issues, employment rights, counselling and integration assistance, health, psychological and social care, child care and family reunification. By the end of 2019, more than 500 people had benefited from the services of the centres.

– Polish language courses for adults – were conducted at different levels (A1, A2, B1).  Classes were held in Gdańsk, Sopot and Gdynia. In 2019, 15 courses were implemented, number of participants: 160 people.

– Methodology courses on learning Polish as a foreign language for teachers working in Pomeranian Province. The aim of this activity was to equip teachers with the knowledge, competences and skills to independently implement educational activities with foreign students with no or little knowledge of the Polish language. In 2019, 6 methodological courses were held from which a total of 93 teachers benefited.

– Support for children at schools in the form of Polish language classes, remedial classes and classes on Polish tradition, history and culture. The classes took place in eight schools; altogether nearly 120 children benefited from the classes (Polish language classes – 118, remedial classes – 119, other classes – 58).

– Employing Ukrainian language assistants – in selected schools teaching foreigners in Gdańsk. Language assistants supported teachers during classes and helped foreign students to better adapt in class. In 2019, 30 foreign children benefited from the support.

– Adaptation courses – were held in various towns and cities of the Pomeranian Province, including Gdańsk, Tczew, Kwidzyn, Nowy Dwór Gdański, Człuchów, Chojnice. In 2019, 8 courses were held and 88 foreigners benefited from the support.

– Workshop and networking meetings for coalition members – activities were intended for representatives of social welfare centres, District Employment Offices and cooperating institutions e.g. the Police, the School Superintendent and representatives of schools, NGOs and other coalition members. In 2019, 4 meetings were held: in Gdańsk, Starogard Gdański, Tczew and Słupsk. A total number of 95 people benefited from the classes.

– Career counselling and certified translations and interpreting – under this measure foreigners could benefit from the support of specialists at information and counselling points. In 2019, 45 people benefited from specialist support.

The majority of the above-mentioned activities will be continued in 2020.

Workshop and networking meetings for coalition partners

At the end of November and the beginning of December, further workshop and networking meetings were held for coalition partners: representatives of social welfare centres, labour offices and municipal offices, police officers, teachers, NGO workers. On 22/11/2019 the meeting took place in Starogard Gdański, on 26/11/2019 in Tczew and on 05/12/2019 in Słupsk.

The topics of the meeting held in Starogard Gdański concerned:

– Preventing violence, human trafficking and bonded labour. Examples of good practices and information on programs and projects to prevent such procedures. Speaker: Robert Mroczek – Border Guard.

Legalisation of stay and employment of a foreigner from outside the EU. Formal-legal and administrative aspects. Speaker: Katarzyna Baranowicz – Pomeranian Provincial Office.

The meeting in Tczew covered the following issues:

– Prevention of violence, human trafficking and slave labour. Examples of good practices and information on programs and projects to prevent such procedures. Speaker: Elżbieta Litke-Żelechowska – Voivodeship Police Headquarters in Gdańsk

– Multicultural education – how to be a member of open community. Speaker: Kornel Bielawski – University of Gdańsk.

The meeting in Słupsk focused on topics already discussed:

– Prevention of violence, human trafficking and slave labour. Examples of good practices and information on programs, projects preventing such procedures. Chairperson: Elżbieta Litke-Żelechowska – Voivodeship Police Headquarters in Gdańsk

Legalisation of stay and employment of a foreigner from outside the EU. Formal-legal and administrative aspects. Chair: Katarzyna Baranowicz – Pomeranian Provincial Office in Gdańsk.

In addition to a large dose of knowledge, the meetings also provided an opportunity to exchange experience in the field of systemic solutions of work with foreigners, creating and strengthening cooperation and providing current information on the implemented project.

 

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Workshop and networking meeting in Gdansk

On 15 November 2019, the first workshop and networking meeting was held in Gdańsk for broadly defined coalition partners – including social workers, labour office personnel, police officers and NGO representatives. The meeting focused on issues related to counteracting violence, human trafficking and slave labour, as well as – multicultural education. The meeting was an opportunity to exchange experience in the field of systemic solutions of work with foreigners, creating and strengthening cooperation and providing current information on the implemented project.

The first part – “Counteracting violence, human trafficking and slave labour, examples of good practices and information on programmes and projects to prevent such practices” was led by Robert Mroczek from the Border Guard. The second workshop – “Multicultural education – how to be a member of an open community” was led by Kornel Bielawski from the University of Gdańsk.

Support for foreign children in schools in the Pomeranian Province is launched

Attention Parents! In selected schools in our voivodship there will be support for foreign children:

– 1,200 lesson hours of learning Polish as a foreign language.

– 1,200 lessons of remedial classes.

– 200 hours of lessons concerning Polish tradition, history and culture.

Classes will be conducted mainly in small groups (2-5 people) at a level adapted to the needs of the students. Please contact the teachers of the school of your choice for more information.

List of schools included in the task:

No. School type School number School address
1 Primary school SP 57* ul. Aksamitna 8, 80-858 Gdańsk
2 Primary school SP 81* ul. Siedleckiego 14, 80-299 Gdańsk
3 Primary school SP 50 ul. Grobla IV 8, 80-837 Gdańsk
4 Primary school SP 65 ul. Śluza 6, 80-770 Gdańsk
5 Primary school SP 11 ul. Stryjewskiego 28, 80-620 Gdańsk
6 Primary school SP 60 ul. Chłopska 64, 80-350 Gdańsk
7 Primary school SP 52 ul. Kościuszki 11, 80-427 Gdańsk
8 Primary school SP 5 ul. Meissnera 9, 80-462 Gdańsk

* – schools with preparatory departments

Methodical courses on Polish as a foreign language for teachers working in Pomeranian Province

Attention teachers! In the period between June and the end of 2019, six Polish language teaching methodical courses are planned to be conducted. The classes will include min. 64h of classes including some hours carried out by two trainers. Each course will last 8 days and the course formula will include continuous work with the group (during school holidays) and classes to be carried out during weekends. The planned number of participants for each course is 12-15 per group.

The course programme includes:

– training in practical skills of learning Polish as a foreign language, including techniques and methods which facilitate communication and learning effectiveness

– selected elements of teaching Polish as a foreign language in terms of language skills: speaking, writing, reading, listening and natural communication

– learning to teach Polish grammar and pronunciation,

– specificity of the work of a teacher in a multicultural environment,

– specifics of classes addressed to students of different school and developmental ages,

– specificity and vocabulary both basic and introduction of specialist vocabulary related to a given subject.

Each participant will receive a set of teaching materials and a certificate of completion of the course.

 

Implementer: Stowarzyszenie Vox Humana (Vox Humana Association) and Fundacja Obywatelska Perspektywa (Civic Perspective Foundation).

Contact person: Agata Marek, agata_marek@o2.pl, phone no. 501 022 598

Career guidance and certified translations and interpreting for foreigners are launched

In September 2019, we are launching support for non-EU foreigners in the form of career advisory services and sworn translations. If you need consultations in the field of work, you are not sure if you are employed legally and under the right conditions or you would like to learn about the realities of the Polish labour market and the applicable legal regulations – come to one of the six information and advisory points (you can find contact information in the ADVISORY CENTRES tab). If necessary, you can also use the services of a sworn translator. To receive support, contact the counselling and integration support specialist at the point closest to you, who will tell you how you can receive support.