10.12.2008Information about the National meeting of Roma organizations in Bulgaria
It is necessary to go ahead from planning integration to experiencing real actions for Roma integration. This should happen through normative and financial back-up of the integration policy and through broader decentralization in order to include municipalities, civils society organizations and Roma community in the process.
These were the main conclusions from the National meeting of Roma NGOs and NGOs working for Roma integration “Strategies for our common future”. It took place on December 9 in
The meeting was opened by Mr. Willem van Ee, Ambassador of the
After intensive discussions the participants approved Declaration for real actions for Roma integration. Through it they require Bulgarian Parliament to adopt strategic document that define the basic principles of the policy for Roma integration; the Council of Ministers to adopt operative Action Plan and this document to be backed-up with financing from the state budget, clear administrative responsivilities of the institutions engaged and concrete mechanisms for participation of municipalities, NGOs and roma community. The Declaration was signed by 71 organizations. It will be send to the Parliament and the Council of Ministers. The participants discussed suggestions for the key-areas in the strategic document for Roma integration – education, employment, health care, living conditions, Roma culture, Roma women and Roma participation.
The Meeting was organized in the eve of the International Human Rights Day.