On 10th October 2007 the most successful participants of the professional education programme for refugees implemented by the International Aid Network IAN have been awarded certificates for the knowledge acquired in several areas.

The education is a part of a regional project "Facilitation of durable solution fro refugees and returnees" financed by the European union through the CARDS programme and with the support of funds from Microsoft and Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs through FRESTA/NAB program. The education has been going on for nine months and it included intensive courses within the computers school, English language school and social skills school in IAN.

For the knowledge demonstrated in the field of information technology and use of personal computers as well as the tests passed in seven computer courses, 55 education participants received ECDL certificates i.e. European Computer Driving Licence. This is the most widespread international certificate for the computer users, recognised in 160 countries with over 6 million users. The Union of ICT societies Serbia - JISA enabled the ECDL indexes for all participants to be obtained at favourable prices.

In addition to computer courses the beneficiaries attended English language courses and passed the final exam. The program included also social skills courses that are not related to a specific job, but are in the bases of successful performance of any job. They are used in all work environments and can easily be transferred from one field of one`s work into another. Those are psychosocial and interpersonal skills within which the participants learned how to express their needs respecting at the same time the needs of others, to recognise their individual potentials and aptitudes for certain professions and work environments as well as to present themselves effectively, for example at a job interview.

" This education program has meant a lot to me, now I use computer for my studies every day, I type and arrange my seminar papers by myself, I create Power Point presentations. I am sure that these certificates will mean a lot to me also later when I start searching for a job", said Danijela T., a twenty-one-year-old student, refugee from Knin.

" I have found a job a few weeks ago just thanks to my computers skills and knowledge of English language. I use a computer every day in my work, especially Excel program. I was recommended for this job by the people from IAN. I thank all the teachers for their patience and for everything they taught us", added a twenty-year-old Mira R., a refugee from Foèa.

Gordana Stankov Stojiloviæ, project manager, pointed out that the aim of this professional empowerment program was to provide additional education leading towards improvement of the economic position, social inclusion and increase of employment rate of persons who have fled from Croatia and BiH more than a decade ago, and now live in Serbia where most of them has decided to stay. She added: "During the project implementation some participants have already found employment due to the knowledge and skills acquired within this programme, and this is the biggest satisfaction for all members of the project implementation team."

The best 30 participants will continue the education that will include 6 entrepreneurship courses, three social skills courses and one English language course.

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Contact person : Gordana Stankov Stojiloviæ