“Through Integration and Social Inclusion to Active Citizenship”
29-30 January 2008, Brussels

On January 29th and 30th ERIO organised the conference entitled “Through Integration and Social Inclusion to Active Citizenship” under the premises of the European Economic and Social Comitee. The aim was to raise awareness of Roma related policy issues and to exchange and discuss experience and best practice.

This conference was supported by the “Commission’s Education and Culture Executive Agency" in the framework for its “Europe for Citizens” programme. This conference is just one section of the “Exchange for the Best Practices and Expertise for Roma Integration and Social Inclusion” project which is being carried out in partnership between ERIO, Centro Don Calabria (Italy), and the Inpreuna Agency for Communal Development (Romania). The general objective of the project is to foster active European citizenship amongst Roma through exchange of experiences, knowledge, expertise and best practices acquired by different stakeholders involved in Roma integration and social inclusion.

The conference was attended by 90 delegates who actively discussed the need for cooperation towards social inclusion of the Roma as well as the short comings of current European policies regarding their basic rights and anti-discrimination. Key speakers at the conference included: Mr. Jan Jarab, Member of the Cabinet; Commissioner Spidla; Joachim Ott, DG ESA; Virag Sandor, DG ESA; Alekos Tsolakis, EESC; Livia Jaroka, MEP; Victoria Mohasci, MEP; Andrezej Mirga, Senior Advisor on Roma and Sinti at OSCE; Bernard Rorke, Director Roma Programs OSI; Pascale Charon, Director ERRC Budapest; Haaron Saad, Director ERAN; Fintan Farrel, President of Social Platform Brussels. The event was attended by representatives of government as well as from Roma organisations and NGOs dealing with Roma issues from various European countries. 

The conference was successful in informing participants of EU policies concerning Roma social inclusion and the continuing fight against discrimination of Roma in Europe.  Education, employment, health care, housing, culture and EU policies towards Roma were all discussed.