The first two integration seminars were held within the “Your New Home in the Czech Republic” Project. The first seminar was arranged for Russian speaking holders of international protection and the second one was held for Chinese speaking holders. The seminars are designed to provide better understanding of basic rights and obligations of this specific group in the Czech Republic. This is how the seminars offer a helping hand to those who are often left alone without necessary information.

Holders of international protection face an uncertain future on our territory. Burdens of traumatizing experience and emotional exhaustion, lack of information or different customs of the new country – these are just some of hardships they face on a daily basis. The eight-hour seminar is designed to help participants to understand certain areas, e. g. social system, housing, transportation or search for employment. The first two meetings were held for eighteen participants in September and October.

The seminars are led by two instructors and two interpreters. One of the instructors, Pavla Yakymchuk, describes holders of international protection as a specific group which requires care and attention: “Holders of international protection were granted protection in the Czech Republic because they faced danger and prosecution in their country of origin. They might have been politically persecuted, their life might have been in danger, etc.” Therefore the “Your New Home in the Czech Republic” Project plays an important social role which may fundamentally simplify their integration into the majority society.

The seminar for Russian speakers was held in person. In case of Chinese speakers, the seminar was held on-line. Yakymchuk explains why the on-line option was chosen for the latter seminar: “Due to the target group, Chinese citizens, this form of seminar appeared to be more suitable. The Chinese are very concerned with their safety and anonymity. And therefore, to remain anonymous to other participants of the seminar as much as possible was one of conditions of their attendance.”

“During the on-line course, all the screens of participants remained black indeed.” Nevertheless, all of us, i. e. me, the second instructor and the interpreter, felt a pleasant atmosphere.”

The instructors received positive feedback from participants of the on-site seminar too: “I had a positive experience working with the Russian speaking group. It was a pleasant in-person seminar and there was an opportunity for people to meet each other, which is another partial goal of these meetings. In my opinion, a feeling of safety, that we were able to create with the second instructor and the interpreters, played an important part.

Positive responses for both courses augur well for other future seminars. The instructor concludes her assessment of the “Your New Home in the Czech Republic” Project implying impact of the seminar for holders of international protection:

“In a real life, it is not enough to provide holders of international protection with an informative brochure. It is necessary to explain its content to them, to transpose it to their real life and help them to apply it in their particular lives and problems they encounter.”