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Working with Roma
to improve their own lives
There are ten to twelve million Roma
and Travellers in Europe spread across practically all the Council of Europe's
member countries.
The Council of Europe's main
objective is to encourage its members to take a comprehensive approach to Roma
issues. This involves three main priorities - protecting minorities, combating
racism, anti-gypsyism and intolerance and preventing social exclusion.
One of the fundamental
principles guiding this approach is participation of the communities concerned,
through Roma and Travellers representatives and associations.
Since 1995, the
Committee of Experts on Roma and Travellers
(MG-S-ROM) has been tasked with advising member states and encouraging
international authorities to take action where needed.
Its role complements that of
the Secretary General's Co-ordinator of Activities concerning Roma, responsible
for promoting co-operation with other relevant international organisations and
developing working relations with Roma and Travellers issues organisations.
For more information, please
Download the leaflet of the Roma
and Travellers Division (PDF) or visit the
News page.
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Forthcoming
Activities
Tackling main challenges that Romani women and their communities face
today will be the focus of the international conference ''I am a
European Roma woman'', in Athens on 11-12 January. The conference will
discuss changing negative perceptions of Roma women in the media,
eliminating harmful practices such as early marriages and forced
sterilization as well as promoting entrepreneurship and economic
empowerment of Roma women.
Working documents:
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Recent
Activities
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The Fourth Plenary Assembly of the
European Roma and Travellers Forum
was held on 24-25 November 2008 in Strasbourg. The main
focus was the setting up of national member/umbrella
organisations in Council of Europe member states, and the
adoption of the European Roma Rights Charter, as well as the
definition of orientations and priorities for the coming year.
A commemoration ceremony for the victims of the
Romani Holocaust also took place at the memorial stone in front of the Palais de
l’Europe.
Speech of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe at
the Opening Ceremony.
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A meeting of the Informal Contact Group of Intergovernmental
Organisations and Institutions on Roma, Sinti and Traveller
Issues was held under the French Presidency of the European Union, on
5 December 2008 in Brussels.
Meeting report. The report of the latest meeting of the Informal
Contact Group, held under the Czech
Presidency of the European Union, will be available soon.
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Media training on
the Roma minority and ethical reporting, Chisinau, Moldova,
March 2009. The training targeted media professionals
and focussed on communication and reporting, as well as on
Roma cultural features and traditions in order to approach Roma
issues, culture and traditions whilst avoiding stereotypical
information. |
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Latest Documents
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The Report of the 27th
MG-S-ROM Meeting which took place in Seville,
Spain, from 24-27 March 2009, is now
available.
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Council of Europe / Open Society Institute Roma Internship Scheme
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The Council of
Europe in cooperation with the Open Society Institute is pleased to offer three month
internships to young Roma students/professionals at the Council
of Europe (Strasbourg). Applications for the 2009 session are
now open,
click here for
further details. |
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Publication
of a handbook for lawyers defending Roma and Travellers
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A handbook for lawyers
has just been published (more...).
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Practical
Information
Useful information on Strasbourg, including an access map, hotel
list and other useful tourist information, is available
here. |
Latest update: January 2010
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