News

11.04.2014Many school initiatives for International Roma Day

 

Lovech District


Festive concert on the occasion of International Roma Day gave students from groups EPA "Ethnic Folklore - Roma Folklore" led by Maya Kostadinova. Popular Roma songs filled the school lobby during the big school break. Initiatives at "Bacho Kiro" Primary school- Letnitsa will continue at the upcoming festival of student art "Different but Together" , which will include more students. In "Vasil Levski" High school - Troyan brief historical talk honored the memory of Roma perished during the Holocaust.

Pleven District

"Father Paisii" Primary school - Knezha initiated a special program dedicated on April 8 in which Roma songs and dances were presented. Group of students joined to the holiday concert, organized by Community Development Center under the direction of Mrs. Lily Panyovska. All classes from "H.Smirnenski" Primary school - Koynare embraced the idea to honour this day by reading verses of Usin Kerim . The initiative for the April 8 in "Hristo Botev" primary school - Glava will mainly be focused on the last day of the week. Students of "Ethnic Folklore - Roma Folklore" classes have prepared a musical - literary program, and their classmates who participated in the "green school" will present in a multimedia presentation their unforgettable memories of the stay in the Lesoparka hotel. Students from "Father Paisii" primary school- Radomirtsi marked the International Roma Day with musical - literary program

In“St.Kl. Ohridski" Primary schooll - Bukovlak had " Spring Fashion Show ", dedicated to the International Roma Day - at the initiative of the club" Family holidays as a game". On April 8, was held "Day of the talent", which became a tradition. Host of the event was again "Probuda" Cultural Home. Students from V and VI grades at " St. St. Cyril and Methodius" Primary school - Turnene talked about the origin and past of the Roma, and students from VII and VIII  grades read verses of the Romani poet Usin Kerim. Especially for April 8 a panel was prepared, where clothing, crafts, customs and traditions of Roma were presented through selected photos. Little pupils of "Hristo Botev" primary school - Disevitsa also joined with a short musical program.

Pupils from "Hristo Botev" primary school - Pelishat painted Roma flag and learned the Roma anthem " Dzhelem , dzhelem”.

Montana District


I "N.Vaptzarov " Primary school and IV "G.Rakovsky" Primary school in Berkovitza marked April 8 with the following initiatives: making panels with historic materials; reading poetry of Usin Kerim; students in Roma folklore classes prepared drama, songs, poems and dances, which were presented  in the joint celebration, held on april 8 in "Rakovitza" quarter. It was attended by directors of both schools: Katya Vasileva and Tanya Yonova, Head of Local police department - Biser Jonchev , MPs Peter Yakimov and Ilian Timchev, Anelia Yakimova – Chief expert "Education" at the Municipality of Berkovica, many teachers, students and parents. Students from the student parliament in primary school in Lom distributed printed information materials and strips.  

I " Vasil Levski " primary school- Valchedrum participated in the regional competition " One world - different dreams ", organized by the Governor of Montana and RIE – Montana. They aslo joined to the municipal concert project "To give a hand" with students from the groups EPA " Ethnic Folklore - Roma Folklore" from "Hristo Botev "Primary school - Zlatiya and "Hristo Botev " Primary school- Dolni Tsibar .

Students from "Hristo Botev " Primary school - Brusartsi and parents from the local community threw wreaths into the local river. There was also an exhibition "The sun shines us all". Students from " Father Paisii" Primary school- Medkovetz and "Hristo Botev" Primary school - Marchevo also celebrated the Day with short musical programs.

 

Vidin district

"Hristo Botev"primary school - Dunavtsi participated in the municipal celebrations with children's dance ensemble and groups of folk singing and folk dances. Students from "N.Vaptzarov " Primary school- Drenovets presented a short program to their classmates.

 

Vratsa District

In "Hristo Smirnensky" Elementary school, Byala Slatina the day was marked by a series of interesting events: sporting events and games in the schoolyard; drawings on asphalt in the schoolyard under the slogan "My Dream"; discussion meeting of the parent club with the school team and representatives of the CDC "Amalipe" - B. Slatina. On this day, students from the "Hristo Botev"Primary school - Galiche visited Roma neighborhood, where they gave a concert. After school hours program featuring clubs under the " Success " was presented to students of all classes .
 

Students from Roma folklore classes in “N.Vaptsarov” Primary school – Selanovtsi, made an impressive dramatization of the fairy tale “Parhaleya and Barvale”. The audience learned the main lesson that the good was rewarded, no matter what ethnicity person was. The director of the school - Petya Russinova said that the meaning of this celebration is the idea of ​​peace and freedom. Students from "G. Rakovsky" Primary school - Tarnak actively participated in the village celebration of April 8.


In " Father Paisii" Primary school - Borovan students from the groups of EPA " Ethnic Folklore - Roma Folklore " participated in the festive program "The sun shines us all" which was held at the Cultural Home "Cani Ivanov" in the municipal center . They presented a rich literary - musical program under the motto "The vast Roma soul."
Dobrich District

"Kliment Ohridski" Primary school - Smolnitsa also honored the memory of murdered Roma. Primary students drew the Roma flag – a red wheel with 16 spokes on a blue and green background, symbolizing the sky and grass. They presented a dramatization of the story "Roma trickery". Students discussed issues related to the history and traditions of the Roma. Members of the parent club showed the film "Early marriages" to parents from the local community.

In “Dobri Voynikov" Primary school - Pobeda, were held a number of events: drawing competition on the theme " Dreams start from us.", a poster was produced "The Way of the Roma";
​​a presentation entitled "Roma dreams" was made.  
 
In “N.Rilski" Primary school - Lovchantsi celebrated April 8 - International Day of the Roma with cultural and musical program in the " Svetllina" Cultural Home.


Targovishte District

“St.St.Cyril and Methodius" high school in the town of Antonovo marked April 8 - International Roma Day with a happening. Group of seventh-graders from three ethnic groups living in the municipality went around the school during the big break with a big banner dedicated on April 8, under the sound of the national anthem of the Roma. The symbols of Roma - flag and anthem were presented n front of many students. All sang" Dzhelem , dzhelem " and lit candles in memory of those Roma who perished in the Holocaust.


2 " Vasil Levski" Elementary school, Omurtag - The International Day of the Roma community was marked by: Children exhibition of paintings entitled " The sun shines us all”.
On April 10 students from fourth grade will hold a lesson in tolerance, which will also be dedicated to the International Roma Day - April 8. The event will be attended by teachers from "Acad Daki Yordanov "Secondary school.

"G.Benkovski" PS - .Belomortsi - International Roma Day was celebrated on 04.04.2014g . in the school yard. The feast was attended by students, parents and teachers. Students from Club "Ethnic Folklore in Bulgaria, Roma folklore" presented songs, dances and poems.


 

"G.Rakovsky" Primary school, Golyamo Novo organized a week of Roma traditions. There was a surprise at school on 8 April - International Roma Day - the entire celebration was prepared by students from the University in Veliko Tarnovo, who were also volunteers to Center" Amalipe".

"Hristo Botev" Primary school,  Lomtsi - School holiday, telling legends, implementation of Roma songs and dances;

 

Shumen District

"Vasil Levski" PS -  Gradishte – On April 8, students and parents prepared and presented a short cultural program titled " We can do more" - songs and proverbs for Roma . An exhibition of paintings and objects made by the students was also arranged.


"Tzanko Tzerkovski" High school – Nikola Kozlevo - the event was noted on 08.04.14 with a series of events : the commemoration of victims during the Holocaust over Roma in Europe during World War II. Transmission of the tradition of celebrating April 8 from grandmother to grandchild - a story of adult Roma. Transmission of recipes for the holiday. Kids disco. Tournaments in football and volleyball were conducted.

 "PRSlavejkov” PS, Izgrev - The event was marked in the home of a Roma family, interesting facts about life and the origin of Roma households, traditions, customs , holidays were presented.

"Hristo Botev " PS - Kaspichan – Students in the Group "Ethnic Folklore" prepared a presentation about historical events that gave rise to that day on our calendar as International Roma Day .

“St.St.Cyril and Methodius" PS - Smiadovo - In connection with the International Roma Day – the following initiatives were organized: Exhibition of children's art; Corner of different ethnic groups; holiday concert.

In "St. P. Hilendarski" PS - Pliska April 8 was indicated by drawing on asphalt under the slogan "Together under the sun" and drawing competition entitled "Teaching and playing together”.

In "St. P.Hilendarski" PS  - Varbitsa were organized the following initiatives: Participation in Municipal celebration dedicated to the event; Handmade bracelets and necklaces of beads and wood elements; Scoreboard " World of Roma " linked to the history and customs of the Roma;

Varna Districts

In "Dobri Voynikov" PS - Kamenar marked 8 - April with a dramatization of two tales - Dramatization of the legend : " Why Gypsies are scattered around the world " and Script in the story : "Roma Destiny". The celebration ended with a performance of the songs "Dzhelem dzhelem" and "Oti kali machkica"

In "St. Ivan Rilski" PS - village of Cherventsi – a drawing contest entitled " Roma Destiny " was made ; Students gave a report on the Roma groups that live in Bulgaria.

 
Stara Zagora District

 In "St. St. Cyril and Methodius" PS , Cherna gora, this year the International Day of the Roma was marked with emotional sports festival . Students and parents participated in the fun competitions participated with great mood and desire for victory.


On April 8, 2014 in I "St. P. Hilendarski" PS, Galabovo , was held a celebration dedicated to the International Day of the Roma. The celebration was attended by children from III to VIII grades. Very interesting for all children was the story "The wealthy man’s sin" told by Bozidar Stefanov from III grade. Students from IV and V grades gave a musical-stage program of poems and songs dedicated to Roma.

Dance group " Fire Heart" performed dances that loaded the audience with a lot of emotions and joy. The celebration continued in the citywide celebration at the House of Culture, where many of the students took part in the concert program of the municipality.


In " Hristo Botev" PS , Pavel Banya, International Roma Day was celebrated with a broadcast and theatrical presentation to an audience of parents.


International Roma Day in "Father Paisii" PS, Kaloyanovets village was marked with great celebration in the community center of the village . The two-hour program included songs, dances and scenes from the history of the Roma, and a small theater showing the historical development and the way the Roma.

 In "St. St. Cyril and Methodius" PS, Shipka 8 April was marked by a radio broadcast, balloons and poster making.

 In "Jordan Jovkov" PS, village of Troianovo was shown a film about the Roma in Bulgaria. Some of the other initiatives were: sports festival entitled " Anyone can be excellent at sports”.
 

“St. St. Cyril and Methodius" PS, Sarnevo , joined in the celebration of International Roma Day with different activities: exhibition of paintings by the students on the topic" The sun shines equally for all"; dramatization in a modern version of the fairy tale " Little Red Riding Hood”, performed by the students from groups EPA " Ethnic Folklore "; implementation of the favorite songs of Roma pupils in groups .

The celebration was attended by guests from the parent club.

In "Pop Mincho" PS,  Kolarovo, the students were familiar with the history of the day, the decisions taken during the fourth World Romani Congress of the International Organization "Roma Union" in 1990 - Roma anthem and flag. The following presentations were made: "Saving one life – you save the world" - information on the Roma genocide during World War II, presented by the students included in the " Ethnic Folklore" and " We have given something to the world " – about the contribution of Roma celebrities.

The celebration ended with a picnic in nature with the participation of parents.


Haskovo District

Various activities were organized in "Ivan Vazov" PS,  Simeonovgrad: exhibition of paintings and objects made
​​by the children; competition for making Easter decorations ; competition for the most beautiful hair ; culinary competition and football game .

 Students from " St. Kliment Ohridski" High school, Simeonovgrad, actively participated in the Roma festival in the city. The parent club to the school and students promoted the activities of the center "Amalipe" and distributed leaflets, posters, brought a congratulatory address to the Roma community. Awards were given to deserving Roma children.


 

In "Hristo Botev" PS,  Dolno Golemantsi , the International Roma Day -8 April was marked with a report on the subject - "History of the Roma people : Origin and traditions ." Students from the club " Ethnic Folklore " at the school introduced to their peers a musical program. The culmination of the celebration was the song - hymn of Roma " Dzhelem , dzhelem".

 
Kardzhali District

 In "P.Yavorov" PS, Kardzhali , children from " Ethnic Folklore" groups presented a dramatization of the Roma tale " Young rum and ugly rich man's daughter ."

Schools once again showed that all together - Bulgarians and Roma can create tolerance in practice by organizing initiatives in schools and the local community. In celebration of International Roma Day were involved not only students and their teachers, but also parents, the local community, municipalities, a number of other institutions. The City Council of municipality of Peshtera organized a celebration for the students of all schools, located in the area of the town.

In "General Kartsov" PS - Hristo Danovo (Plovdiv District) students from the club "Roma folklore", EPA " Ethnic Folklore - Roma Folklore " and " Dance whirlwind" staged a dance performance .

Students of " Hristo Botev " PS – Dalgo pole, Plovdiv District, gave rich literary - musical program in the village.

 


In "Father Paisii" PS, village of Govedare (Pazardjik District) , with the support of the parent was organized a contest for Mini Miss and Miss.

Students of "St. St. Cyril and Methodius" PS- village of Streltsi, Plovdiv district traditionally celebrated at school April 8 with songs and dances. Afternoon in the libraryof Brezovo all public schools were presented with a program dedicated to the celebration. Most active in this school year students from each school received certificates and awards from the Municipality.

There were celebrations at all other schools in the region.

In the village of Zimnitza, Yambol District the two groups of EPA " Ethnic Folklore - Roma Folklore" under the guidance of their teachers, Mrs Sonia Nedeva and Mrs. Elizabeth Kaleva painted beautiful posters , others tirelessly rehearsed performances of Roma anthem " Dzhelem , dzhelem", third gathered information for this special day .

The climax of the celebration was when all spontaneously and heartily sang " Dzhelem, dzhelem" (" I traveled , I traveled " ) .

 
In the village of Krushevec students played, sang and competed.

Talented singers from club "sing and dance" performed as true professionals iconic songs about friendship and Bulgaria. In the field of dance : 7 and 8 -year-old folk dancers and 10-12 year - old" India girls" presented two different but beautiful and interesting worlds. Funds for the costumes were provided by the women's association "St. Marina" in Sozopol Municipality.

Students from sixth to eighth grade presented "A Tale of colors”. A presentation about activities in "P. Iavorov " PS associated with the program, implemented by "Amalipe" was made. It included information about exhibitions, bazaars, inter-school visits, competitions, the festival "Open Heart" in Veliko Tarnovo , etc. ..

Then the students were invited to the yard where they were expecting another surprise - competitions organized by their parents. Transfer of candy by mouth, playing basketball with paper balls, eating yogurt with closed eyes were only part of the race. As a final teachers and parents had prepared a culinary - tasting exhibition.

"Hristo Botev ", Kameno, Burgas District

Children of the EPA " Roma folklore" and a group of puppet theater to the" Hristo Botev " High school, Kameno; students from first to fourth grade, celebrated April 8 along with their teachers , the school principal Mrs. Baltadjieva , parents, moderators , volunteers from the CDC – Kameno, the jury - Ivan Ivanov – chairman of the  parent club, teacher - Ms. Malina Georgieva, guidance counselor Mrs. Daneva , the chairman of the School Parliament Ms. Gergana Dimitrova, the regional coordinator of "Amalipe" - Peter Malinov. The holiday was marked by tough competition for logical tasks, knowledge of ethnic holidays, of places in Bulgaria, as well as observation. Children from EPA "Roma folklore" presented traditional Roma songs, dances and dances of the current global stars who received the - much applause. After the party was held a meeting with parents from the parent club of the school where
​​a presentation of "Amalipe" Center was made.

The International Roma Day took place in the presence of guests - the director of "Father Paisii" PS, Ravna Gora - Mrs. Koeva, the Mayor Mr. Georgiev, representatives of the cultural center, president of the parent club, teachers and students. Participants were the students from 2 3.5 and 6 grades, who created positive emotions and tolerance. The school principal greeted and prizes all participants in the initiative.

 

 

In the early hours of April 8 in "P. Hilendarski" PS - Gorna Oryahovitsa was organized a media on the occasion of the International Roma Day, on which the school principal Chrissy Avramova gave an interview to TV News 7 about integration policy and educational programs for Roma who are already adults . After the media appearances children from "P. Hilendarski" PS welcomed the Regional Coordinator and the local moderator of center " Amalipe" with a short cultural program.

11.04.2014Center Amalipe held a national compaign for the International Roma Day

 

Different initiatives all over the country were organized by Center “Amalipe” in the occasion of 8th of April – International Roma Day. “Sun shine is equally for all of us” was the slogan of the campaign. “Youth is Tolerance” YTFG’s and the Centers for community development (CCD) under Center Amalipe and lots of schools took part in this initiative in a national level.

This is how the campaign was held:


Veliko Tarnovo:
On the 7th of April volunteers of “Youth is Tolerance” – Veliko Tarnovo held an informational campaign on disseminating brochures on the occasion of 8th of April – International Roma Day.
On the 8th of April in the Pedagogy Faculty of The University of Veliko Tarnovo, open discussion on the topic of “Touch the untouchable: Roma – known and unknown,”, was held. There were students, volunteers of the “Youth is Tolerance” – Veliko Tarnovo, moderators of the Center for community development – Veliko Tarnovo and representatives of the commition against discrimination. “What are Roma and what they’re not”-information and “What is 8th of April?” were the topics of the interactive lecture.  After the discussion all of the participants went to the “Stambolov” bridge to toss red cloves in memorial of the fallen victims of the Holocaust.

On 11th of April, 18:30h in art-club “TAM”. In the occasion of 8th of April - International Roma Day, Center for Interetnic Dialogue and Tolerance "Amalipe" and club TAM organize a screening of the comprehensive and imperative documentary, The Forgotten Genocide: Europe’s Gypsies in World War II. Drawing focus on the persecution of the Sinti and Roma communities across Europe in the lead up to and throughout the Second World War, the film also elucidates on important aspects of Roma history and culture that dispels some common misconceptions.

CCD – Veliko Tarnovo: Informational campaign infront of the 5th Corpus of the University of Veliko Tarnovo. Brochures with less-known facts about Roma were distributed.

The moderators of CCD – Veliko Tarnovo visited a Center that works with children in the town of Lyaskovets. Guest of the event were representatives of Germany, representative of Lyascovets municipality and Maria Ivanova – coordinator in Center Amalipe. A start was given with the Roma hymn “Djelem Djelem”, lots of dances and other music performances.

The local CCD in the village of Ledenik organized a recital of Roma writers poetry , sporting day and drawings on asphalt. There was also an informational discussion aboput 8th of April. The initiatives were held with the support of the town hall.

Students from the primary school “Paisiy Hilendarski”, volunteers of the local CCD took part of the event in the occasion of the International Roma Day in Kaltinets neighborhood, town of Gorna Oryahovitsa. Guests were the mayor of Gorna Oryahovitsa municipality and the expert of ethnic issues. Discussion about the Roma history and now-days, was held.  

CCD Pavlikeni and coordinators of Center Amalipe visited the schools on the territory of Pavlikeni municipality on the occasion of 8th of April and shared more information with the students about the WWII. They also showed presentation on the occasion of the Holocaust, presenting the different Roma groups from the end of XIX and the beginning of XX century. Also there was an football championship between school teams

Plovdiv:

“Youth is tolerance” – Plovdiv voluntary club organized a projection of “Roma Quixote” movie and a discussion on the occasion of 8th of April in the University of Plovdiv. There were youths, volunteers, teachers and students attending.

The main aim of the event was to give a different light on Roma. It was mission possible after the movie that has participated in an international exposition in Brussels. The movie is made by the „Ars Digital Studio“, a documentary film about the life in a Roma neighbourhood was presented. “Roma Quixote” shows, not only the way they live, but also about the freedom to choose, about the borders of the mind and beyond.

Blagoevgrad:

“Youth is tolerance” – Blagoevgrad voluntary club, Leader Association and Youth House organized a ceremony of awarding Roma students with very good and excellent marks.

7th of April – in the building of Youth House – Official ceremony on the awarding of 32 excellent students was held. Aim of this ceremony was to mark the International Roma Day by showing the lots of good examples – Roma students with excellent marks in school.


Shumen:
          

“Youth is tolerance” – Blagoevgrad voluntary club organized a few events in the occasion of 8th of April.

7th of April – Screening of the Bulgarian movie “Roma Quixote” was held. Same night the volunteers made by hands the Roma flag and put it on the wall in the youth group office.
8th of April – The volunteers took part in the municipality’s youth football championship. In the end of it the got the big award winning the first place. Later the same day they took part in an informational campaign with giving brochures on the main street of the city.  

Burgas:

In Burgas volunteers of Youth is Tolerance – Burgas, together with Regional Roma Union and Secure housing for people at risk “Nadezhda” (Hope) laid a wreath at the monument of the Unknown Soldier and a minute of silence to commemorate the victims during the Holocaust in World War II.

Later in the regional office of the Commission against discrimination the youth club took part in open discussion on the ropic of “Anti-Roma stereotypes among the young people”, organized by Center Amalipe together with the commission against discrimination. In informal discussion many stories about experienced prejudices towards Roma ethnicity in education and social services were shared.

 Center Amalipe and the commission against discrimination announced essay and drawing competition titled "The sun shines equally for all of us" in which can participate young people from Burgas aged 12 to 25 years, divided into three age groups: 12-18 years, 19-22 years, 23 -25 years. On a special ceremony - April 30 the winners will be declared.

Kameno:

CCD Kameno and the local clubs organized sport open doors on the village stadium. Awards and many smiles were given to the winners. The winners also received diplomas from Center Amalipe for the participation.

Vratsa:

Youth is Tolerance – Vratsa, volunteers organized a campaign in the occasion of 8th of April. More than 30 youngsters, Roma and non-Roma, took part in it. There were interactive games that focused on tolerance among young people, and the need for goals, work, perseverance and education. Later there was a screening of the film “The white Swallows” and a discussion on the problematic about intolerance. In the end of the campaign flayers and posters with information on the 8th of April were distributed to the participants.

CCD Byala Slatina organized mournful march for the occasion of the "International Roma Day" in the village of Popitsa. Young people, volunteers and local residents and representatives of institutions gathered to honor the memory of the Roma victims of the Holocaust.

By the sound of a brass band, the participants laid wreaths and flowers at the monument raised in honor of the fallen and Roma villagers participated in the wars. Fifty people from the village have given their lives, four of them are Roma which names are engraved on the stone monument. These are the names of: Ali Aliyev and Suleiman Osmanov in 1916., Mahmoud Kalev in 1917 and Paraliko Aliyev in 1818.

Etropole:

CCD Etropole and the local clubs of the villages of Lopyan and Malki Iskar organized sport events and informational campaigns. The volunteers of CCD Etropole were distributing brochures, specially made for the event. The aim was to give more information on the

 

 

Dolna Banya:

Volunteers, activists and students marked the International Roma Day in Dolna Banya by an event presenting interesting facts about this day. There was also Reading of Roma poetry  and and informational campaign.

 

 

 

CCD Strazhitsa:

With a drawing contest, the International Roma day was marked byt the CCD Strazhitsa. Students from a local school took part in the contest. At the end all of the participants were awarded.
 

11.04.2014Third European Roma Summit -”Go local” announced explicitly European Roma policy

The third European Roma Summit took place in Brussels on 4th April.  Unlike the previous two similar meetings this one met the definition "summit”. The meeting was attended by the  José Manuel Barroso - President of the European Commission, Viviane Reding - European Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship, the Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion - László Andor, the Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth - Androulla Vassiliou, the Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy - Tonio Borg, the President of Romania -  Traian Basescu, Deputy Prime Minister of Bulgaria – Zinaida Zlatanova, ministers and state secretaries from nine other countries – EU members, MEPs and MPs from member states. George Soros - founder of the Open Society Foundation also took part in. Roma civil society was represented by European and national Roma organizations.  Apart from Zlatanova, there were three representatives of the National Council for Cooperation on Ethnic and Integration Issues, Tsanko Tsonev – mayor of Kavarna, Lili Makaveeva – Coordinator of the ROMACT Programme for Bulgaria, Vergul Ismail from the Integro Association and Deyan Kolev – Chairman of Amalipe Center.  

The Commission President opened the forum with a speech that can be defined as significant. For the first time he used the explicit term "European Roma Policy" - pointing out that it is already а fact.Mr Barroso marked three main pillars of European Roma policy:  

- Political: the EU framework for national strategies for Roma integration should be Supplemented by a mechanism for annual reporting on how Member States implement their strategies;

- Legislative: the recommendations of the European Council of 09.12.2013, the represent the first EU legislation – even if being "light" -  for Roma integration;

- Financial: President Barroso stressed that pillar, emphasizing that it is very important for the European Commission to ensure the use of more EU funds for Roma integration. That’s why in the new programming period the European Commission asked all Member States to use at least 20% from the European Social Fund for social inclusion (which applies to Roma), etc.  

President of the European Commission expressed its firm belief that the European Roma policy will be followed by the next European Commission and European Parliament. At the same time, he repeatedly stressed the need for policies for Roma integration to reach the local level, which was the theme of the entire forum.

‘The wind of change. Roma integration is in the reach of the political radars! ’  With these words, the participants were addressed by the Vice President and Commissioner for Justice and Human Rights Viviane Reding, recalling that the second summit on Roma in Cordova in 2010 there were not involved ministers from member States,  but on this present summit there are presidents, ministers and five commissioners. She stressed that the wind of change started with the EU Framework for national Roma strategies and subsequent approval of such a strategy by all Member States. ‘The mission of Roma integration is possible’, said Reding and argued with many examples of successful integration initiatives at а local level, calling them ‘little miracles’.  Vice-President Reding expressed the idea of ​​more targeted policies and financial mechanisms specifically targeted at Roma - a centralized EU funds, which will be for specific projects for the Roma, ’offered Ms. Reding.  

‘Without European Roma policy, the living conditions of Roma could be worse ’, said in his speech George Soros. It needs to be directed towards the countries applying for EU membership. Mr. Soros suggest four ideas for more effective European politics:

- the models of educational integration created by the Roma Education Fund, to be expanded with funds from the EU;

- to invest significant resources for employment of educated Roma;

- to focus on maintaining and upgrading Roma cultural identity, especially among young Roma. In this respect, it is better to support the creation of European Roma Institute, said Soros. The idea of ​​such an institute came by the Council of Europe, and was supported by President Barroso;

- to create a fund to support integration initiatives run by Brussels. George Soros states that the countries with the largest Roma population have the lowest absorption rate of EU funds and the most severe administrative procedures that prevent any possible integration initiative. Therefore it is better for the funds that are not used to be directed to a central fund and to be managed by the European Commission.

Many political statements from high level limited the possibilities for discussion. Few speakers - Roma activists - echoed the existing high levels of discrimination and rising anti-Roma sentiment in Europe, bringing concrete examples from different parts of the continent. In her speech, Deputy Prime Minister of Bulgaria Zinaida Zlatanova said that in 2013 Bulgaria has made the process of regional planning of the implementation of the National Strategy for Integration of Roma. There are 220 adopted municipal plan for integration. She also pointed out that Roma organizations play a leading role in the activities of the Commission for the implementation of the National Strategy to National Council for Cooperation on Ethnic and Integration Issues. The lack of discussion did not allow the attendees Roma activists from Bulgaria to speak on these issues, Tzonko Tsonev, Mayor of Kavarna, presented his experience in achieving real integration.

 

During the meeting the report on the implementation of the EU Framework for national strategies for Roma integration was officially presented. Analysis of the report can be found here


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