The Peace Corps in Romania
The Peace Corps in Romania
Over the past ten years, Romania has been moving from a command to a market based economy. In the years since the overthrow of the Ceausescu regime, small-scale privatization has moved relatively swiftly, though large-scale privatization has been slow. Foreign investment is increasing, but overall economic growth remains sluggish. Most observers believe, though, that the process of reform will continue. As more and more unemployed youth return to school, the need for highly skilled educators is increasing. Romania has expressed concern over the lack of English language instructors and business educators, who are needed to teach local youth the skills they need to succeed in a changing work environment. The government has also requested Volunteers who can provide guidance to the newly emerging social and environmental non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Peace Corps Volunteers are addressing these issues by focusing on small business and micro-enterprise development, secondary education, social work, NGO development, and environmental management and education.
Business Development
The Small Business Development program was started in 1993 and was originally limited to working with business advisory centers created as an initiative of the European Union. Over time, Volunteer partners diversified to include Chambers of Commerce, Centers for Local Development, education non-profits, municipal offices, schools and universities. The current project design reflects the lessons learned during this period, including the realization that Volunteers can have greater long term impact in this area by concentrating their efforts on business education and organizational strengthening. As such, Volunteers now work with a broader range of community economic development organizations, including local and regional development agencies, educational institutions, and NGOs engaged in economic development issues.
Education
The Peace Corps Education program is designed to develop the potential of Romanian communities by increasing the quality of English language instruction and by enhancing Romanian English teacher's communication skills. Volunteers work with Romanian students in middle or secondary schools, and with Romanian English teachers, to introduce sessions on American culture and to exchange ideas on teaching methods. Volunteers have introduced and modeled split classes, alternative work styles and theories, and new perspectives on teaching and learning.
Special Emphasis: Social Work/NGO Development
The Social Work/NGO project continues to adjust in response to the country's strategies for progress and democracy. Originally, the sector project focused on social work education, but later switched to social services' implementation. Most recently, the Social Work/NGO project has focused exclusively on organizational strengthening with social services NGOs. Volunteers assigned to this project work with NGOs to build and strengthen their capacity for balancing social services delivery with NGO development. Many get involved in community development at large by being assigned to NGOs, municipalities, or NGO resource centers.
Environment
Romania's environment suffered during the rapid, unregulated industrialization of the communist era. Air and water quality saw significant declines and future generations of Romanians will have to cope with the long-term effects of air, soil, and water contamination from mining spoils, unfiltered smelting, and discharges of toxic industrial wastes. The Romanian economy, high unemployment, and a weakening of the social support network all contribute to placing the environment low on the list of priorities for Romania. The Environmental Management and Education project is designed to provide assistance to Romanian communities in addressing the challenges posed by the years of environmental disregard. It also aims to develop an enhanced public awareness of responsible and sustainable environmental management which is compatible with the dire need for economic development.
