The Black Box Foundation based in Hungary and Romania works to improve attitudes towards the Roma minority. Roma communities have experienced long-standing discrimination and human rights abuses. In Hungary and Romania the Roma are often segregated from the majority populations. They do not have access to the same education and other resources used by the general population. Their problems are hidden from the broader community. The Black Box Foundation responded to these challenges by providing video technology training. They also provided sustained support for success and community exchange. The Foundation trained approximately 150 Roma at twelve locations within Hungary and Romania. They use their skills to share their stories with local viewers about the issues affecting their communities.
Selection and Training Process
The Foundation created ethnically-mixed production teams to build understanding between the Roma and majority population members. Together, they produced television programs for local channels. The Foundation provides:
- training in video production
- secures airtime, and
- sees that programs are exchanged between teams.
The Foundation solicited applications and created ethnically-mixed teams of five people. Staff members first worked to build trusting relationships with and among team members. They discussed individual viewpoints and addressed the sensitive issues that would be brought up in the program. Teams then learned the fundamentals of television production and consult with experts on minority issues.
Hands-On Learning and Support
During the last three days of training, teams produced their first films. The Foundation provided cameras, lights, microphones and other necessary equipment.
Teams go on to produce monthly programs at their local television stations. They work independently and with their own resources. Meanwhile, the Foundation negotiates to secure regular airtime for the programs.
The Foundation supervised and monitored teams for six months following training. Teams exchanged the videos they made with each other. Outcomes among the production teams varied. A number of teams continued to broadcast regularly on local television. Others used their skills and equipment to record the activities of their organizations. Due to the success of this approach, the Black Box Foundation opened a successful one-year school for Roma students interested in becoming television professionals.
Human rights practitioners often need to get their message out to a broader public. Media training can be a powerful tool for empowering marginalized communities. In an age of advanced technology, this requires skills and access to new technologies. Practical, hands-on training and sustained support was effective in empowering this minority community. Participants developed valuable, real-world skills and produced sustainable media content. They gained skills to platform and address their own issues. Sharing their own stories contributed to their community's social integration and empowerment. The exchange of the content produced by each team broadened the reach of the programs. It also fostered a sense of shared purpose in addressing common issues and reducing discrimination.
New Tactics in Human Rights does not advocate for or endorse specific tactics, policies or issues.
