Barriers to access Education in Turkey
8-9 February 2008, Istanbul

On February 8^th and 9^th 2008, ERIO held conference in Istanbul under the theme of “Barriers to access to Education in Turkey”. The event was organized in partnership with ERIO’s network member the Sulukule Roma Culture Development Association and was funded by the Roma Education Fund.

For the first time in Turkey civil society organizations had the opportunity to discuss Roma education issues together with high-level officials from the Ministry of Education and other governmental representatives. The conference brought together Turkish authorities, national and international organizations, academics, experts from the European Commission and Members of the European Parliament.

The conference had two main objectives. Firstly was discussion of the most frequent barriers to access to education for Roma children and to exchange experience and best practice on Roma integration into education systems in EU Member States. The other aim was to sensitise the Turkish education authorities to the difficulties faced by Roma and to encourage them to make commitments towards ensuring equal access to schools and non-discrimination by the schooling staff. Hacer Fogo from the Sulukule Roma Association presented the issues Roma face in Istanbul, particularly in Sulukule district that is known as one of the oldest and largest Roma districts in the city.

Researchers presented their findings of Roma facing difficulties in schools in different regions in Turkey. Roma NGO activists from all around Turkey also enriched the discussion with examples of discrimination against Roma in school. MEP Victoria Mohacsi shared experiences from Hungary where she was involved in school desegregation program before she started her political carrier.

ERIO proposed specific recommendations to the governmental officials and to the representatives of the European Commission. ERIO’s Director Mr. Ivan Ivanov stated:

“ In Turkey, a multiethnic country there are many people as poor as Roma, and there are many people as discriminated against as Roma, there is one fact which indicates that Roma are the most disadvantaged group kept at the bottom of the society. This is that members of all other groups are represented in the political life of the country, in the national parliament, in the government, in universities and in the business. Roma are nowhere, they do not exist in the decision-making circles, nor do they occupy positions in the administration, educational or other fields. This is clear evidence that Roma are excluded from the society. Roma, according to latest estimations of some experts, number between 4 and 5 million. They should be given equal opportunities to any other group in Turkey to participate with their rights and obligation in Turkish society. Roma should not be accepted only to entertain the society, something we all in this room agree that they can do better than anybody else, but also Roma should be involved in all other fields of live. If they are given the chance they could be good a lawyers, politicians, teachers and businessmen as they are musicians, singers and dancers.”

The Turkish authorities from the Ministry of Education stated that this had been the first time that they had participated in a forum related to Roma issues and that thanks to this meeting they had learned a lot about Roma’s situation in Turkey. They promised to take the discussion to their colleagues from the Ministry of Education and to ensure follow up to this meeting. Government representatives also stated that will be in contact with ERIO and ask for advise on Roma issues and the accession process of Turkey to the EU. The meeting was also a good opportunity for ERIO to expand its network with new Roma organizations from Turkey.

The conference was followed by a press conference. Representatives of the main press and electronic media such as NEWS TV, TV Canal 24, Turkish Daily News and others held interviews with ERIO’s director, the Sulukule organization, and the governmental representatives.