DCSF meeting in London January 14th

Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month

1. The need for GRTHM

We hope that this will help raise awareness of these communities and their valuable contributions to our society and to offset the negative stereotyping and prejudices that have led to the situation where:

The Children’s Society report that nearly 9 out of every 10 children and young people from a Gypsy background have suffered racial abuse and nearly two thirds have also been bullied or physically attacked.(November Report 2007)

The achievement levels of the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities are the lowest of any of the BME communities and the gap is widening. (December 2007 DCSF national figures)

2. Model for developments

We are planning to hold celebrations across the country to establish this month as an opportunity for everyone – early years centres, schools, colleges, communities and others to learn about the rich, cultural contribution these communities have made across the centuries despite the harshest of treatments at times in their histories.

The model for developments could be those of the very successful Black History Month – seek advice, ideas, programmes from your local groups/initiatives

3. Some key points

The involvement and ownership of these developments by the GRT communities and their organisations
Local groups could meet and support the GRT communities and organisations in taking this forward
Engage a wider partnership of organisations and individuals to celebrate GRTHM – letters to all local theatres, Art cinemas, concert venues, Art Galleries, Festival venues, music promoters, libraries to be involved in making a contribution through their own activities to the GRTHM, which could be advertised and promoted through GRTHM networks
Seek similar funding sources to BHM and engage local Equalities teams and funding streams – many will be for the voluntary sector and groups/individuals may need advice and support from the many organizations, who support BME communities to get organized.

4. Support letter from Lord Adonis, Parliamentary Under Secretary for Schools and Learners

This is extremely valuable in generating official support for GRTHM.

Lord Adonis, Parliamentary Under Secretary for Schools and Learners has recently given his support in a letter to Lord Avebury and the National Association of Teachers of Travellers (NATT) and the Advisory Committeee for the Education of Romany and Travellers (ACERT).

Andrew Adonis wrote:

"I expressed our support for your plan to hold a GRT History Month in June 2008. Your aim is to explain the history and culture of the communities, which is not usually included in the curriculum for all pupils: to challenge myths and break down barriers: and to celebrate the richness that these communites bring to our everyday lives. My officials would be willing to host planning meetings to make sure ths event is a success, on the understanding that the delivery would fall to the communities' own organisations."

This has been circulated to all local authorities in England to encourage them to get involved.

5. National Poster Competition

To help raise awareness we are to holding a national Poster competition from January to April for schools, organisations and individuals to design a poster for GRTHM. There will be prizes at all levels for both genders and the overall winning design will be produced as an A2 poster.

This will be sent to every education centre nationally or can be downloaded from this website.

6. Four GRT Professional Artists produce A2 Art Posters to celebrate GRTHM

We have four professional Artists from the communities:
Ferdinand Koci, Daniel Baker, Damian Le Bas and Delaine Le Bas, who are currently producing posters, which will go on sale in February to help encourage everyone to get involved. They will judge the competition in May.

These are the artists who exhibited ‘The Second Site Exhibition’ that Thomas Acton organized, which travelled to different venues across the country.

Three of these artists also exhibited at the Venice Biennale and their work can be seen here.

We hope this will encourage education centres, organisations and individuals to take part in the national Poster Competition.

We hope that this will develop opportunities for more Artists, Musicians, Storytellers from these communities to offer workshops in all education centres and to further develop their skills and talents.

7. GRTHM Website

There will shortly be a website which would give all the information of what is happening during this month and also give useful links to documents, resources and websites that can be used to inform everyone about the GRT communities and the activities taking place.

The web address has already been secured by Leeds GRTAS www.gypsyromatravellerhistorymonth.co.uk and grthm.co.uk

8. GRT Achievers Awards

Using ‘Black Achievers Wings Awards’ as a model

This would give an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the GRT communities at a local prestigious venue.

Leeds is planning for one at the Civic Hall in June.

This could be developed across the country and there could also be a national event.

9. GRT History, Languages and Cultural Resources developments

Present materials and resources and new developed materials could be linked into the National Curriculum for all children by NC advisers and NS officers, working with the GRT communities, to facilitate the ease in which they can be accessed by teachers delivering the different curricula.

10. GRTHM - Some ideas:

Celebrate in schools with Art/Music/Stortyelling workshops developed in partnership with schools and other partners
Get a comprehensive list of GRT artisits, musicians, storytellers etc prepared to work with schools on these initiatives. These could be posted on the GRTHM website and/or others if they are agreeable for this to happen.
This provides a great opportunity to research into the GRT history, languages and cultures and engaging the GRT communities in this with other partners is important.
This can facilitate the GRT parents, families and communities working in schools to enrich the educational experience for all children and young people.
Conferences at local and national levels to celebrate GRTHM.

11. European Union and the United Nations

We have raised this initiative with the European Union and the United Nations and hope that their support will be forthcoming and that this may become an international event.

12. Further thoughts, ideas, plans and developments

Thanks to everyone who has already contributed ideas to this discussion paper, in particular Arthur Ivatts and Sheila Longstaff, who have helped progress these ideas.

If any would like to contribute to extending this document, we would be pleased to include contributions.

Peter Saunders

peter.saunders@educationleeds.co.uk

0113 274 8050

Gypsy Roma Traveller Achievement Service,
West Park Centre,
Spen Lane,
Leeds LS16 5BE

Latest poster news

The posters by the four artists are currently in production. Keep checking back. We hope they will be available by the middle of February.