Youth event of the Slovak presidency

Date 19th October 2016 Author Gabriela Hrabanova Category Youth

The aim of the event was to bring together young Roma and relevant stakeholders to work together on how they can be a driving force for the Roma integration process. As a part of the event was also organized the first year of the European Roma Spirit Award 2016 of exceptional individuals, organizations, and projects who actively improve the situation of Roma in Europe every day.

The agenda of the event was very intense with panel discussion and workshops with high-level representatives such as Commissioner Jurova, representatives of the Ministries from Slovakia, Czech Republic, Romania, and Hungary.

Moreover, in this event were present the Council of Europe, members of the European Parliament and international and national stakeholders representatives who work on Roma integration.
ERGO Network was part in the workshops on access to social rights with a focus on education and employment. The outcome of the workshops brought up as a common agreement that one of the main reason why the integration process of Roma and Roma youth is still a major issue after so many measures taken is because of the antigypsyism. The outcomes of the workshops were brought up by the Roma young rapporteurs and discussed in the panels.

In the panel discussion, “Roma Youth as the Leaders of the Roma Integration Process” with the ministries and high level representatives, Valeriu Nicolae Special Representative of the Secretary General for Roma Issues from the Council of Europe said “Racism goes beyond the logic and destroys lives; we must take some actions and stop antigypsyism”

Roma Youth identified several issues that have been brought up to the event mostly in the area of education and employment. The issues raised by the Roma Youth and others international and national stakeholders will be reflected in the Council Conclusions on Roma that will be adopted in the middle of December 2016.

Tags: Conference, Roma, Slovakia, young, youth