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Decade of Roma Inclusion

Introducing the Decade of Roma Inclusion 2005 - 2015

Romani Flag

The wheel-shaped, sixteen-spoked chakra, was adopted as the international Romani symbol at the first Romani conference in 1971 held in London.

The following is taken from a presentation by Dr. Katalin Levai the Hungarian Coordinator of the Decade Programme.

The implementation of the Decade of Roma Integration programme is a common objective and it is in our common interest in support of the process of changing attitudes, combating prejudices and emphasizing acceptance and understanding.

The Decade of Roma Inclusion

  • Conference: ‘Roma in an Expanding Europe: Challenges for the Future’ Budapest 2003
  • Participant countries: Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, FYR Macedonia,Hungary, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovak Republic
  • Participants: government leaders, led by Hungarian Prime Minister, and International organisations like UNDP,EU, OSCE, COE, EROI, international Romani fora
  • Main conclusions of the Conference:
  • Roma need to be included in the planning and implementation of the Decade

Decade Objectives

  • Accelerate progress in improving the economic status and social inclusion of Roma
  • Framework of activities:
    1. The setting of clear, quantitative national Objectives and Goals for improvement in economic status and social inclusion of the Roma population, and the establishment of the necessary information base to measure progress towards these targets
    2. The development and implementation of national action plans to achieve those targets
    3. Regular monitoring of progress against agreed targets and adjusting action plans as necessary over the decade

Structure of the Decade of Roma Inclusion

  • International Steering Committee (ISC)
  • Government Delegations (9 countries)
  • International Organisations
  • Roma Representatives

Decade Secretariat (4 staff members)

  • Members of Government Delegations in each country
  • National Coordinator (appointed by the Prime Minister of the specific countries )
  • Government experts (delegated by the national coordinator)
  • Young Roma delegate

Outcomes of the ISC meetings so far

  • First ISC meeting Dec 2003
    Four Priority areas of the Decade were accepted
    1. Education
    2. Health
    3. Employment
    4. Housing
  • Three cross-cutting themes
    1. Income/poverty
    2. Discrimination
    3. Gender equality of Roma

First ISC meeting Dec 2003

  • Accepted the Terms of Reference (TOR) of the Decade
  • Decade Action Plans (DAPs)
  • Will be elaborated in the preparatory year 2004 in each of the 4 priority areas including objectives, goals and indicators
  • Formation of Country working groups
  • TASKS:
    Develop DAPs with country specific indicators
    Facilitating access to data; analyse and evaluate data
    Monitoring progress on Decade goals

Sector meetings

  • Workshop on Roma Education Feb. 2004 Budapest
  • Workshop on Roma Employment May 2004 Budapest
  • Workshop on data June 2004

Second ISC Meeting April 2004

  • Government delegations presented the First Draft of Decade Action Plans by countries
  • Country delegations presented their Strategies for Roma participation in the Decade at the country level
  • First presentation and discussion of the PR and communication of the Decade
  • Update on the Roma Education Fund
  • Discussion of Data needs

Finances

  • Governments will need to mainstream programmes and ensure that they are financially
  • sustainable in order to succeed
  • Funds will need to be targeted to areas which have the greatest impact
  • International organisations can help on a short-term basis, however their impact will be marginal in comparison with what national governments spend
  • Financial support from the European Union will be more substantial, particularly for the new member states which will become eligible for Structural Funds

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Gypsy Council

David EssexThe Gypsy Council (of whom David Essex is Patron) is involved in a wide spectrum of support and liaison work, supporting Gypsy families in planning applications and their fight for decent legal places to live. Read more about the organisation and maybe consider joining.

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Persecuted

WritingRacism and prejudice has never been too far from Traveller and Gypsy people and you can read about the history of persecution in our History Section.

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For further reading

Gypsy Council

The Gypsy Council (of whom David Essex is Patron) is involved in a wide spectrum of support and liaison work, supporting Gypsy families in planning applications and their fight for decent legal places to live. Read more about the organisation and maybe consider joining.

More

 

Roma/ Gypsies

The Roma originally came from the Indian subcontinent, which they left about a thousand years ago. They entered Europe in the 13th Century. When they arrived in Europe they were thought to be from Egypt and were called Egyptians, which is where the word "Gypsy" comes from.

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