Petr Banda, an undergraduate in economics, has created a campaign called “Be Heard” (Buď slyšet) aimed at first-time voters and young voters, both Roma and non-Roma. His interviews are being gradually published through the social media profiles of the IQ Roma servis organization, and he wants to familiarize youth with the candidates for President of the Czech Republic that way.

In the interviews he asks, for example, what the candidates’ attitudes are toward inequality in the schools or how they would like to overcome polarization in society. The campaign continues the challenge he posed to youth in the autumn of 2022 to vote in local elections, explaining why their voice is so essential in a democratic society.

In this campaign as well, the aim is to increase the civic engagement of Romani youth and their interest in what is happening in society. The first part of the campaign involves infographics about why one should vote, what the president actually does, and how to verify whether an allegation is based in fact.

The second part of the campaign comprises interviews with presidential candidates Marek Hilšer, Danuše Nerudová and Petr Pavel. Banda did his best to interview Andrej Babiš as well, but never got a response to his emails.

In the interviews, Banda asks about issues in society such as segregated schools, inclusion, and coexistence between the majority society and minorities. Banda, a former recipient of the scholarships for Romani students from the ROMEA organization, created the campaign because he believes politicians take no interest in youth and never offer to discuss the issues relevant to them, and through his activity he would like to motivate young voters.

“I created this campaign to get young people more interested and involved in politics. I am interviewing the candidates for president and I want to ask them about the questions of burning concern to youth. A president can speak about such problems and bring them into the public discussion,” Banda said.

“The interviews were filmed and edited by the Remízek production company. We were connected to the candidates by Silke Horáková, the co-owner of Albatros media, the graphic design was done by Vítězslav Novák, and Michael Mitraš helped with promotion. The campaign is happening in collaboration with the IQ Roma servis organization and its social media profiles,” said the student.

IQ Roma servis aids Romani people with after-school activities and tutoring, starting with the youngest children in nursery school clubs and primary school pupils. Through their Gendalos program, they assist high school students with their studies and with opportunities to implement their own projects.

“In our educational program we do our best for Romani youth to participate in society. We were inspired by Petr’s idea to interview the candidates for president and we hope it will lead youth voters to participate,” comments Kristina Studená, manager of Gendalos.

“We hope the younger generation will grow up to be not just voters, but future politicians,” Studená says. The first round of the elections for the presidency will take place on 13 and 14 January; if there will be a runoff, it will take place 27-28 January.