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New Faces of Slovenia – Divin’s Story

New Faces of Slovenia

My name is Divin Ngamba and I come from Congo. I spent ten years in Hungary, where I completed a master’s degree in business development. Today I live and work in Slovenia, employed at Stolt Nielsen as an operations team leader.

My path to Slovenia began in 2023, when I was invited to the African Village festival. It was there that I met the woman who is now my wife. We began spending time together, and I later moved to Slovenia. Today we are happily married and have a child.

One of the greatest challenges on arriving in Slovenia was the language. I speak seven languages, so finding myself in a place where I could not understand what was being said was a particularly demanding experience. I set about learning Slovene nonetheless, and have already passed the examination at A1 level.

My family is what gives me the most happiness and motivation today. My life is stable, though I continue to set myself new goals and want to keep moving forward. My work matters a great deal to me as well: I hold a leadership role and manage a team of fifteen people.

Challenges and the inclusion of migrants in Slovenia

Education and inclusion

I believe education is one of the decisive factors in successful integration. On arrival, many migrants concentrate first on finding work so that they can support their families financially. Where they also have access to quality education and further skills, however, they can integrate more readily and on a more lasting basis.

Proposed solution More accessible education and training opportunities for migrants, supporting both their personal and their professional development.

Respect for culture and faith in schools

It seems important to me that schools take account of children’s cultural and religious needs. Culture is part of our identity, our customs and our sense of belonging, and children should not be deprived of it.

Proposed solution Teachers and other school staff should be given more training on different cultures and religious practices, so that they understand children’s needs and know how to respond to them appropriately.

I believe integration does not mean a person has to lose their identity. It means they can become an active part of society while remaining connected to their culture and their background.

Through my own story, I want to show that migrants in Slovenia are not only jobseekers: they can take on positions of responsibility and leadership, and contribute actively to society.

My message is a simple one:

Education for migrants is essential.
Respect for a person’s culture matters as much as respect for the person.
No one should be deprived of their identity, their culture or their dignity.

We stand against stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination.

Everyone deserves the opportunity to take part in society as an equal. Let us work together towards a more inclusive and more just future.

About the project

The project BODE / Brez Ovir Do Enakosti (Without Barriers to Equality) is co-financed by Impact4Values and Slovenia, running from November 2023 to June 2025.

You can read more about BODE+ on our project page. In cooperation with the ADRA association, the project is also presented on this page.

“Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) alone and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.”

June was another active and rewarding month for the Intercultural Dialogue Association, marked by a wide range of community events, intercultural initiatives and collaborative activities. In this edition of our June Newsletter, we reflect on the month’s highlights and share the latest developments from across our organisation.

If you missed any of our recent events, projects or announcements, this issue of the MKD Newsletter offers a comprehensive overview of our work and the impact of our activities throughout June. We hope you enjoy reading it.

Once again this year, we were delighted to take part in the Week of Cultures festival, expertly organised for many years by the Society for Developing Voluntary Work Novo mesto (DRPD). Every year, the festival brings together people of different cultures and nationalities, proving just how rich and diverse our community truly is.

At our stand, we introduced visitors to the richness of Turkish cuisine and invited them to taste traditional Turkish delicacies. The aromas and flavours of Turkey drew in many curious visitors, who explored our culinary heritage with great interest.

As in previous years, special attention was drawn to traditional Turkish coffee prepared on hot sand and authentic Turkish tea. It was over a cup of coffee or tea that many pleasant conversations unfolded, and new acquaintances and friendships were formed.

We firmly believe that food, culture, and sincere conversation connect people and open the door to intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding. Every gathering like this proves that diversity enriches us and that we can learn so much from one another — often over nothing more than a good cup of coffee.

Our heartfelt thanks go to the organisers from DRPD Novo mesto for the invitation and the excellent execution of the festival, as well as to all the visitors who stopped by our stand, chatted with us, and enjoyed a little taste of Turkey.

We look forward to seeing you again next year!

On Tuesday, 23 June, we successfully delivered our second programme of the year at the Bokalce Residential Care Home.

This time, we introduced residents to the rich history of Turkish music, exploring its historical development, various musical genres, and the traditional instruments that have shaped Turkey’s musical heritage over the centuries.

The programme was made even more special by young Turkish volunteers and musicians living in Slovenia. Through live performances on the violin, trombone and piano, they brought Turkish music to life and offered residents a unique cultural experience.

We concluded the event by sharing traditional Turkish tea, Turkish coffee and a selection of Turkish delicacies, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for further conversation and intercultural exchange.

These events are particularly meaningful to us for two reasons. They provide our volunteers with an opportunity to contribute to the local community by sharing their talents, creativity and cultural knowledge, while also gaining valuable experience and strengthening their integration into Slovenian society through active participation and communication in the Slovenian language. At the same time, they allow us to introduce older generations to different aspects of Turkish culture, with each event offering a new theme, fresh stories and a different perspective on Türkiye’s rich cultural heritage.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the team at Bokalce Residential Care Home for their trust, warm hospitality and excellent cooperation.

We look forward to returning in the autumn, when we will once again explore the flavours of Türkiye together and prepare new creative, engaging and intercultural activities.

In June, we concluded the 3rd semester of the Conversation Club for foreigners in Slovene language

On Wednesday, June 10, we concluded the 3rd semester of the Slovenian language Conversation Club for foreigners. We’ve made it through 15 weeks of sessions during which the participants in three groups actively took part in exercises, discussions, and speaking presentations.

Group work at one of the regular meetings of the Conversation Club during the summer semester.

At the last grand session of all three groups, the participants prepared presentations of dishes from their own and other countries. Some brought photographs, while others prepared homemade specialties. We were able to enjoy savoury pies from England and sweet treats from Palestine, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine. During the presentations, accompanied by visual materials, we also learned about dishes from Serbia, Sudan, Scotland, and China.

The delicacies brought by our participants to the final meeting.

At the end of the semester, the members of the club also received certificates of participation. Most have already confirmed that they wish to continue attending the conversation course in the new season. Those who achieved full or near-full attendance also received a special gift from the Intercultural Dialogue Association as a reward.

Group photo of the gathered members from all three groups of the Conversation Club

We are now heading into the summer holidays. We will begin the new season in October 2026. Before the start, we will, as a new measure, conduct additional placement interviews with all members so that we can organize more homogeneous groups at comparable levels of Slovenian language proficiency.

Follow our website and social media channels for more information in the near future.

The Slovak media outlet Nové mesto has published an extensive article about the international discussion Dialogue Talks, which took place at Charles University in Prague and brought together representatives of civil society, academia, and experts from several Central and Eastern European countries. Among the participants was also Društvo Medkulturni dialog, which contributed a Slovenian perspective to the discussion on growing social and political polarization.

The article titled “Are we divided by beliefs or by the need to have an enemy? How polarization has become a profitable business” addresses the causes of increasing social divisions, the role of social media, the media, and politics, as well as the challenges faced by democratic societies across Europe.

A special focus of the discussion was placed on the importance of dialogue, mutual understanding, and the search for common solutions at a time when differences in opinion often lead to growing distance between people. Participants emphasized that social tensions can be reduced primarily through respectful communication, critical thinking, and a willingness to listen to different perspectives.

At Društvo Medkulturni dialog, we are proud to have been part of this important international event that promotes a culture of dialogue and strengthens cooperation between organizations from different countries. The publication in the Slovak media also represents recognition of the importance of cross-border collaboration in addressing shared social challenges.

We believe that dialogue, intercultural understanding, and the inclusion of diverse voices are key to building a more connected, inclusive, and resilient society.

The full article is available on the Nové mesto online portal. You are kindly invited to read the article HERE.

Every year on 5 June, we celebrate World Environment Day, a global reminder that we have only one planet and that its future is in our hands. This important international day encourages reflection on humanity’s impact on the environment and highlights the responsibility of individuals, communities, and organizations to protect nature for future generations.

According to estimates, approximately seven million people die prematurely each year due to air pollution. In addition, the world continues to face growing environmental challenges, including climate change, pollution of water and soil, loss of biodiversity, and the overconsumption of natural resources. These challenges know no borders and affect the quality of life of people everywhere.

World Environment Day was established by the United Nations in 1972 to raise awareness about environmental protection and promote sustainable practices. Today, it is one of the largest global platforms for environmental outreach, bringing together millions of people in a shared commitment to building a more sustainable world.

At Društvo Medkulturni dialog (Intercultural Dialogue Society), we believe that caring for the environment brings together people from different cultures, languages, and backgrounds. Protecting nature is not only an environmental issue but also a matter of mutual respect, solidarity, and responsibility for our common future.

Every individual can contribute to positive change. Reducing waste, conserving energy and water, using sustainable forms of transportation, planting trees, and making responsible consumption choices are simple actions that can have a significant impact when embraced collectively.

On World Environment Day, we invite you to take a small step for nature and contribute to a healthier, greener, and more connected world. Together, we can create an environment in which both present and future generations can thrive.

We have only one planet. Let’s take care of it together.

As part of the consortium project Together for Stronger Communities, the Intercultural Dialogue Association, in collaboration with Socialna akademija, organised an intercultural gathering to celebrate Eid al-Adha, bringing together people from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds in a spirit of solidarity, dialogue and mutual respect.

The event provided an opportunity to connect, share experiences and strengthen relationships within the local community. Through meaningful conversations and shared traditions, participants fostered greater understanding and reinforced the value of intercultural cooperation.

The gathering also strengthened the partnership between the Intercultural Dialogue Association and the Archdiocesan Caritas of Ljubljana, laying a solid foundation for continued collaboration and future community initiatives.

Photo credits: Socialna Akademija

During the month of May, we organized and participated in numerous events and activities. You can read about them, along with other activities of our association, in our latest monthly newsletter, where we share everything that happened over the past month.

If you missed any of our recent posts or updates, the MKD Newsletter is the perfect way to stay informed!

At the end of April, upon the invitation of the Slovenian Red Cross, we took part in an informational training on intercultural mediation organized by the Peace Institute within the framework of the EMV-LII project.

The event was dedicated to presenting the importance of intercultural mediation and strengthening the knowledge and competencies of professionals, volunteers, and other individuals who work with people from diverse cultural backgrounds. Intercultural mediation serves as an important tool for fostering effective communication, mutual understanding, and the social inclusion of people with migrant backgrounds.

The Association for Intercultural Dialogue was invited to present its experiences in the fields of integration, cultural diversity, and work with people with migrant backgrounds. On this occasion, we shared examples of good practices developed through our programs and activities, while also discussing some of the challenges we encounter in our daily work promoting intercultural dialogue and inclusion.

We are particularly encouraged by the growing recognition of intercultural mediation in Slovenia as an effective tool for building an inclusive society based on respect for diversity, equal opportunities, and cooperation among people from different cultural backgrounds.

Events such as this provide valuable opportunities for organizations and individuals working in the fields of integration and intercultural cooperation to exchange knowledge, experiences, and good practices.

We sincerely thank the Slovenian Red Cross, the Peace Institute, and all organizers for the invitation, their trust, and the opportunity to contribute our experiences and participate in this important discussion on the future of intercultural mediation in Slovenia.