Plan of action for Roma adopted Skopje 26-27 September 2000
Workshop on International Protection of Refugees in the Region: The Case of Roma Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons
(5-6 September & 26-27 September 2000, Skopje)
I. BACKGROUND
The presence of a significant number of Roma refugees, returnees and internally displaced persons (hereafter referred to as IDPs) in the South Eastern European region as a result of the Kosovo crisis, has led to an intensification of exchanges and fostering of working relations between the OSCE-ODIHR Focal Point on Roma/Sinti and some of the UNHCR Offices in region.
Particularly in the fYR of Macedonia, national NGOs advocating on behalf of Roma refugees requested that both UNHCR and OSCE/ODIHR expand their consultations on issues relating to Roma refugees, thus enriching the pool of national and international actors who may contribute to the process of finding solutions for Roma refugees, returnees and IDPs.
The aforementioned request was subsequently brought to the attention of the Council of Europe (CoE), and in particular the Roma/Gypsies Activities Section. The CoE immediately expressed its wish to support initiatives for commencing a process of consultations with national civil societies in order to assess the situation of Roma refugees, returnees and IDPs.
It was generally felt that the promotion of a more systematic, structured and comprehensive exchange among the relevant actors in the region would contribute to the streamlining of existing efforts and to devising of a joint strategy with the primary goal of reaching appropriate politically and financially feasible solutions.
The complementary character of the mandates of the three co-organisers could allow for the elaboration of a Plan of Action, the humanitarian and operational aspects of which would receive the necessary political support to ensure its funding and implementation.
II. METHODOLOGY
The workshop was divided into two parts, i.e. the NGO Meeting and the Technical Meeting; in order to maximise the results of the initiative. This process was adopted in order to keep the process as participatory as possible whilst preserving its neutral character.
The Part I – NGO Meeting took place on the 5th and 6th September in Skopje, and was conceived of as an opportunity to gather assessments and proposed solutions to the problems, as elaborated by the actors of the national societies. In addition the organisers’ mandates and scope of activities were clarified for all participants, in order to dispel any confusion that might derive from possible misunderstandings.
The NGO Meeting included the participation of a wide number of national Roma representatives/ advocates active in the region (a list of participants is attached for easy reference). The process of identification and selection of the participants for Part I was approached differently across the region. Indeed, it was largely left to the decision of the UNHCR and OSCE offices in each area, and in some countries was considerably influenced by the existing level of organisation of Roma civil society. In fYR of Macedonia, OSCE and UNHCR invited a wide number of NGOs to an informative session clarifying the scope and nature of the workshop and those NGOs who were interested in participating were invited to submit an essay indicating their possible strategy in one of the thematic areas to be addressed during the workshop (legal / assistance - integration and reintegration /capacity building);
During Part I the organisers’ role was mainly one of facilitating the systematisation of the relevant contributions from Roma civil society and the raporteurs were chosen from amongst the NGOs themselves. Some UN agencies based in Skopje addressed the audience in order to clarify their mandates in relation to the population group in question and a number of selected international NGOs also attended as observers.
The Part II of the Workshop, the so-called Technical Meeting, took place on 26th and 27th September 2000 in Skopje. It brought together some 40 participants comprised of the technical staff of the organisers and representatives of the main international NGOs involved in addressing issues pertaining to Roma refugees, returnees and IDPs. Three Roma representatives who are actively involved either in the field of policy making and/or implementation of social projects in their communities addressed the audience to share their experiences in pursuing solutions on behalf of Roma communities. These persons were invited upon the suggestion of the OSCE/ODIHR. Representatives from some of the UN agencies based in Skopje were also invited to enrich the discussion1.
The selection criteria applied to identify the international NGOs that were invited to attend Part II were left to the discretion of the country team (UNHCR/OSCE). It was suggested to take into due consideration the existing and future operational capacity of each NGOs, as well as its commitment to working on behalf of minority groups in general and Roma in particular.
During both parts of the Workshop, the working methodology ranged from presentations followed by sessions of questions and answers, to working groups’ sessions on thematic issues in the legal, integration and reintegration, and capacity building/ media areas.
The outcome from the working groups during the first meeting were then translated into recommendations and presented to the second meeting’s working groups as a basis for further discussion. Most of these recommendations were endorsed and further elaborated upon during this second meeting. Only those that seemed to be unrealistic or unfeasible were considered as low priority at the current stage and accordingly excluded from the discussion.
The ‘plans of action‘ recommended by the working groups, which are listed below, were agreed upon by means of consensus among the participants and will therefore hopefully be implemented by the organisations that contributed to their formulation.
The next step of the process consists of the participants’ recognising the areas and corresponding actions they are most qualified undertake, implement and/or support.
Upon completion of the above mentioned identification process, the three organisers will establish contacts among the organisations that proposed to be involved in the elaboration of similar project proposals. The projects for which no interest is expressed will be reviewed and reassessed, and eventually referred to other actors during the follow-up meeting.
III. OBJECTIVES OF THE WORKSHOP
The Workshop pursued the following objectives:
1. To identify the problems, needs, and priorities pertaining to Roma refugees, returnees and IDPs in the region, as well as to national/ international organisations involved in the assistance and protection accorded to them.
2. To seek to clarify the present and potential role of the aforementioned national/ international organisations, by reviewing their activities and future plans in the region.
3. To gather civil society recommendations as grounds for elaboration of a structured Plan of Action.
4. The Plan of Action should contain recommendations pertaining to the legal, assistance (integration and reintegration), and capacity building areas, and define the roles and responsibilities of all actors involved concerning its follow-up in accordance with their own institutional capacity and areas of priority.
5. To establish a permanent forum of exchange among the Roma civil society and national/international actors, with a view to establishing a coherent dialogue and comprehensive policy in favour of the development of a viable NGO community.
6. To develop the process of exchange initiated by the Workshop in order to devise a regional strategy on issues of asylum (assistance in integration) and return (assistance in reintegration), as well as on the participation and further development of the Roma civil society. Regular consultations among the key actors would avoid overlapping activities, maximise efforts, and forge linkages for attainment of jointly defined goals.
7. To place the problems of Roma refugees, returnees and IDPs on the agenda of the Stability Pact, by incorporating the Plan of Action recommendations in the project proposals elaborated by OSCE (ODIHR)/CPRSI and CoE.
8. To further institutionalise the co-operation between the national and international organisations in order to improve the situation of the Roma in the region. Consequently to establish a Secretariat on a rotational basis, providing inventory and database of projects and initiatives relating to Roma returnees, refugees and IDPs in the region.
9. To present the consolidated outcome of the Workshop during the International Consultation Roundtable on Roma and Sinti Asylum and Refugee Issues, to be held in Warsaw on 23rd October by OSCE/ODIHR and as an agenda item of the OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meeting to be held in Warsaw on 16th – 27th October 2000.
IV. DRAFT PLAN OF ACTION
As already mentioned in the Section II – Methodology, most of the civil society recommendations were incorporated into the Plan of Action elaborated by the three working groups during the Technical Meeting2. The thematically structured recommendations of each working group comprising the Plan of Action are presented below.
A. Legal Working Group
Recommended actions involving existing means within the present national legal frameworks aimed at solving current problems.
Asylum
1. Further disseminate UNHCR’s position on the internal flight alternative.
2. Organise information campaigns to inform the refugees about Refugee Status Determination procedures.
3. Continue training legal NGOs to enable them to advise asylum seekers and refugees.
4. In fYR of Macedonia, to continue institution and capacity building programmes and support of the legislative reform and its implementation.
Lack of personal documents (IDs, birth certificates, marriage certificates, etc.)
5. Carry out information campaigns to inform IDPs of the process to obtain subsequent registration in Serbia.
6. Establish greater interaction /cross border co-operation between legal NGOs and networks.
7. Keep financing the Legal NGO network in fYR of Macedonia (UNHCR).
Lack of property ownership documentation
8. Promote registration of real estate properties by owners to avoid problems related to proof of ownership.
Lack of knowledge among Roma refugees, IDPs and returnees of their human rights and civic rights
9. Prepare and conduct public awareness campaigns.
10. Organise training of trainers and community leaders, in order to train others to be able to carry out these campaigns.
Non-use of Romani language in public forum in Kosovo
11. Facilitate/ support the translation of documents.
Recommended actions aimed at solving existing problems which imply creating new legal/institutional frameworks.
Lack of personal Documents
12. Institutionalise Regional NGO umbrella/ network(s) that include a common fund/ funds for expenses related to documentation (judicial and administrative fees, travel/communication expenses).
Host Family Evictions
13. Sign tripartite agreements between donors, hosts, and refugees.
14. Involve local authorities/ Ministries in the process (if possible).
15. Donor repossession of items donated.
16. Publicise the names of those hosts that abuse the situation.
Recommendations to be brought to the attention of State Authorities
Asylum
17. Host Governments should prolong international protection to Roma/ minorities from Kosovo and to give them access to RSD procedure in accordance with the national asylum system.
18. Governments should not use the so-called Internal Flight Alternative as a means to avoid the full consideration of asylum claims.
Infringement of Human and social rights due to restrictive laws requiring citizenship to be entitled to such rights
19. National Parliaments should amend legislation (e.g. pension, property laws) to allow non-citizens to access such rights.
Inability of refugees and IDPs to pay court fees/ admin taxes
20. Governments should exempt refugees from such taxes/ fees as per the 1951 Convention and apply the same principle to IDPs as they are in a similar situation.
Lack of personal documents
21. The Serbian Government should ‘facilitate’ the process of subsequent registration.
22. Governments in the Region should conclude agreements regarding judicial co-operation based on the example of the agreement between Yugoslavia and Croatia.
Legal status of Refugees in fYR of Macedonia
23. The Macedonian Government should implement Refugee Status Determination.
Recommendations to be brought to the attention of international actors in Kosovo
Non-use of Romani language in public forum in Kosovo
24. The use of the Romani language in Kosovo for official purposes and in official documents where possible and appropriate.
25. Place this issue on the Agenda of the Platform for Action in Kosovo.
Lack of Property ownership documentation Restitution/ Repossession of occupied property
26. A survey of properties in Kosovo should be conducted to assess the nature and severity of the problems.
27. Lessons learned from other countries in the region regarding property issues should be used as guidelines for the property restitution system to be developed in Kosovo (Property and Housing Directorate (PHD).
28. PHD should be established and operationalised as soon as possible and be provided with adequate resources.
29. The new property system should be compatible with existing legal systems.
30. Upon creation of the PHD, a survey of refugees in Macedonia who are interested in return should be conducted to ascertain action and initiate procedure before the PHD.
B. Integration and Reintegration Working Group
Recommendations concerning Accommodation
The Working Group stressed that Roma in the region are facing an acute accommodation crisis. The host family option is proving unsuitable over the long term as an adequate accommodation solution and ‘host family fatigue’ is already beginning to set in. Many of the recommendations deriving from the first meeting were concentrated on Collective Centres and on specific requests relating to care and maintenance.
However, the Group felt that it was necessary to have a more regional based approach in terms of identifying and prioritising needs in order to create a balance of standards across the whole region. Accordingly, available resources should be invested in longer-term durable solutions and be directed equally to places of origin and asylum. Such equality would create the potential for repatriation, although it should be borne in mind that the overriding factor preventing repatriation is security problems and therefore organisations should not be caught in the trap of avoiding initiatives in case creating disparity.
Objectives
· The Working Group identified the main objectives as to prioritise and standardise basic accommodation needs throughout the region.
Constraints
· The main constraints included a lack of political commitment by the local authorities, a lack of co-ordination, and a lack of funds.
· There were also concerns over the effect of conflicting/ contradictory approaches (the integration vs. repatriation argument in terms of push/pull factors).
Activities/Responsibility
31. The main activities and responsibility included the assessment of reconstruction and rehabilitation of Roma houses in areas of origin.
32. Sustaining the host family system in the short term by the continued provision of food and non-food items and indirect cash support (over the next 6 to 12 months) was also highlighted.
33. Emphasis should be put on the need to conduct assessment of houses for Roma (extent of damage, reconstruction needs), more than on the rehabilitation of Collective Centres (which is only a temporary solution).
34. Focus should also be placed on the reconstruction of minority housing in Kosovo.
Recommendations concerning Food/NFIs
The provision of food and non-food items continues to be necessary to meet the basic needs of the population, as well as being a major incentive for the host family system. With the expected WFP regional phase down there are concerns that there might be a short fall. It was therefore recommended that steps towards limited self-reliance be gradually introduced.
Objectives
· The basic objective was to ensure adequate access to food and non-food items on a needs basis.
Constraints
· Some of the main constraints outlined were WFP’s reliance on food donations, the reduction of NGOs supporting complementary food programmes, and the lack of land available.
Activities/Responsibility
35. It was recommended that the basic food basket be maintained for the core caseload, with particular attention being paid to the quality and variety of the basket.
36. Some degree of self-reliance through market gardening and small-scale animal husbandry could be promoted. This would allow the beneficiary population to make some contribution to meeting their own needs and to introduce variety into their diet.
Recommendations concerning Education
Objectives
· The main objective was foreseen as ensuring the availability of quality education to Roma children equitable to that provided to children of other groups within the community (full integration into local schools).
Constraints
· Constraints mentioned by the participants included concerns from parents that education levels might be adversely affected, economic restrictions discouraging participation in education, and reluctance of parents and/or local authorities to enrol Roma pupils in school.
Activities/Responsibility
37. In order to achieve this it was agreed that there needed to be full access of Roma children to the local school system. It was also noted that during the first meeting there was considerable resistance from local participants to the idea of segregation or special schooling.
38. In order to facilitate integration it was suggested that there be extra curriculum flexibility (catch-up classes and additional subjects), as well as Roma teachers with teacher support staff within the education system through a combination of TOT, mentoring and other interactive approaches. Furthermore, it was suggested that the mobilisation of parents in support of school attendance would be a valuable role for the NGO community to fill.
39. It was also determined that the question of access, both at the level of national policy with the Ministries of Education and local level with the Directors of the School, was of importance.
40. Finally, the formation of ‘education action groups’ was recommended to further address country specific issues and to enhance the role of national and international NGOs relating to various issues, including parent involvement, advocacy, and pupil monitoring and care.
Recommendations concerning Health/Mental Health
Objectives
· The main objective was seen as ensuring access to health services on an equitable basis with the local population and preferably through the national system. However, it was noted that in Kosovo parallel systems exist for security reasons and must continue to do so.
Constraints
· The main constraint was seen as the economic limitations on the part of the states and beneficiaries.
Activities/Responsibility
41. Activities aimed at achieving this included channelling material support to national health systems and avoiding overlapping activities between NGOs.
42. The pursuit of policy initiatives that foster attention to direct health services and also to health education were considered of importance.
43. Finally, the formation of action groups to focus on health education and advocacy was suggested.
Recommendations concerning Employment
Against the backdrop of the current economic situation in the Balkans, the prospects of NGO’s and IO’s being able to positively influence the ‘creation’ of jobs on a sufficient scale to meet demands is unlikely. Efforts should therefore be focused on educational support in order to achieve realistic results.
Objectives
· The major objectives were foreseen as designing proper reintegration/ integration programs according to the specific country and caseload and to improve the access for Roma to the employment market.
Constraints
· The main constraints were seen as the general prejudice against Roma in society, the high unemployment rates in the regional, and economies hampered by conflict and transition to market realities.
Activities/Responsibility
44. The main activities suggested were to foster small-scale income generation projects.
45. Vocational initiatives to train and retrain Roma in skills appropriate to the local market.
C. Capacity Building/Media Working Group
Recommendations regarding networking of Roma NGOs
Objectives
· Networking of Roma NGOs should be encouraged at all levels (local, national, regional and inter-regional) with the aim of enhancing co-operation rather than exclusion, to ensure that the Roma NGOs work in a complementary manner and that they adopt a common approach to donors.
· Networking should be linked to training opportunities provided by the appropriate partner (IOs, INGOs or regional/local NGOs).
· Existing structures should be used and strengthened. The possibility of using the models in the other countries should also be considered.
· The networking should not function along the presented vertical and horizontal scale, but also along issues identified as being of special importance for capacity building. (Education, Political Participation, Gender Issues, Youth, Health/Sanitation, Human Rights, (Re-) Construction, Income Generation).
· Although the use of communication technology (e-mail, Internet) is an asset, networking should also continue to incorporate traditional ways of communication, such as visits etc. Security concerns and the lack of freedom of movement for Roma should be considered.
· Government/ administration bodies in the region should be notified of the existence/ intention of establishing the networks and reminded of their responsibility for the development of civil society and the role of minorities in civil society.
· The present ongoing roles, the skills and responsibilities of the international NGO community must be recognised, accommodated and utilised in existing structures. International NGOs' have a history of capacity building in the region and access to resources and experience to efficiently implement projects like the building of a regional network. The sustainable commitment of international NGOs to this sector is reliant on the backing of the involved IOs and access to funding sources.
· A Regional Project Management should be established to manage the transfer of know how to the various local networks in the region, establish the regional network and provide linkages with other international actors, including OSCE, CoE and UNHCR.
Action/Responsibilities
46. Each organisation present at the workshop is to identify its interest and possibilities to participate in the aforementioned activities within the shortest time possible. An organisation should be identified in each country to co-ordinate the work to establish local and national networks, or to strengthen already existing networks.
47. An experienced organisation with a presence in all areas of the region should be selected to establish a regional project management for the co-ordination of the local/ national networks.
Recommendations regarding networking of donors/international players.
Objectives
· Networking of donors and international players in the region should be enhanced through regular contacts and exchange of information, to ensure the flow of information between one another and to the Roma NGOs that they work with, whilst encouraging further dissemination.
Action/Responsibilities:
48. Every organisation should identify a contact point for the aforementioned issues.
Recommendations regarding follow-up meetings.
Objectives
· A conference or a series of meetings with high level participation of Roma NGOs and frequent intra- and inter-regional exchanges should be implemented in order to promote ‘best practices’, with the purpose of identifying developments and trends on the side of the international players and to enhance capacity-building among the NGOs.
Action/Responsibilities:
49. One or more organisations to be identified to plan and implement such a conference or series of meetings.
Recommendations regarding training of NGOs
Objectives
· A comprehensive training programme for Roma NGOs should be planned and implemented as part of the networking at all levels. The training should in particular target the development of organisational skills. The techniques for writing project proposals and of addressing donors, as well as other NGOs with the aim of seeking funding or co-operation is considered a basic necessity.
Action/Responsibilities:
50. Each organisation present at the workshop is to identify its interests and possibilities to provide training activities at the various levels of networking.
Recommendations regarding media
Objectives
· Roma media/journalists should be incorporated in the efforts of establishing national/ regional training facilities. Co-ordination of the multitude of media related initiatives should be urged while exercising stronger advocacy for Roma media. Regional or local specifics need to be considered (opportune timing for establishment of Romani language programs).
· Various forms of co-operation among Roma media, as well as others, should be encouraged (exchange of programs, exchange of journalists/ editors, inclusion in existing media networks).
· Non-Roma media should be targeted with information, training, and specific projects in order to advocate a differentiated method of addressing Roma (refugee) issues.
Action/Responsibilities:
51. Each organisation involved in media related initiatives should advocate Roma media/ journalists to be included in such initiatives.
V. CONCLUDING REMARKS
In conclusion many of the participants stressed that the follow-up to the meeting would be labour-intensive and required the active dissemination of information by the organisers. Moreover, the participation of all those organisations present in creating active ownership of the concepts and ideas expressed during the working groups was also widely seen as essential to a successful follow-up.
APPENDIX 1
WORKSHOP for Representatives from CIVIL SOCIETY in the Region
(Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Bosnia)
International Protection of Refugees in the Region: The case of Roma Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons
5 - 6 September 2000
Skopje, Alexander Palace
AGENDA:
Tuesday, 5 September:
09.00 - 09.30: Opening statement by the organisers (UNHCR, OSCE and CoE)
I. Presentation of the mandate of each of the
participating international and regional organisations, highlighting their strategy in the region
Chairperson: UNHCR
09.30 - 10.00: UNHCR
10.00 – 10.15 UNICEF
10.15 – 10.30: WHO
10.30 – 10.45 WFP
10.45 – 11.00: Comfort break in the lounge
11.00 – 11.30 Council of Europe
11.30 – 12.15 OSCE/ ODHIR
II. Podium discussion
12.15 – 12.45 Question & Answers
13.00 - 14.00 Lunch in the hotel
III. Presentation by one representatives of civil society on the assessment of prevailing conditions concerning refugees and IDPs and concrete action plan (each 20 minutes):
Chairperson: OSCE/ ODHIR
14.00 – 14.20 Rapporteur for Serbia
14.20 – 14.40 Rapporteur for Montenegro
14.40 – 15.00 Rapporteur for Macedonia
15.00 – 15.20 Rapporteur for Kosovo
15.20 – 15.40 Rapporteur for Bosnia?
15.40 – 16.00 Comfort break
IV. Thematic working group sessions
16.00 – 18.00 Group I: Legal Issues
20.30 Dinner
Wednesday, 6 September:
V. Recommendations of each thematic working group - project oriented
Chairperson: Council of Europe
09.00 – 10.30 Presentations by representatives from the civil society
10.30 – 10.45 Comfort break
10.45 – 11.45 Review of the “Comprehensive Programme for Roma in SE Europe” by CoE and ODHIR
11.45 – 12.30 Final recommendations
12.30 – 13.00 Conclusive remarks
13.30 Lunch in the hotel and departure of participants
WORKSHOP for Representatives from CIVIL SOCIETY in the Region
(Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Bosnia?)
International Protection of Refugees in the Region: The case of Roma Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons
5 - 6 September 2000
Skopje, Alexander Palace
General information:
Organisers: UNHCR, OSCE/ ODHIR, CoE
Participants: NGOs/ Refugee, Roma leaders, Representatives of Roma communities, Intellectuals, ICRC, SOROS, WHO, UNICEF, WFP, World Bank
From: Macedonia (host), Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Bosnia?
Languages: Romani, English, Macedonian, Albanian, Serbian
Background information:
1. The meeting shall serve as a Preparatory Regional Meeting dominated by civil society for the upcoming Expert Regional Meeting with the same title on 19 - 20 September in Skopje.
2. Both meetings shall consolidate ideas for the International Consultation Round Table on Roma and Sinti Asylum and Refugee Issues in Warsaw on 23 October organised by ODHIR, side event to the OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meeting in Warsaw on 16 – 27 October.
3. Such meetings meet the expectations, in particular of civil society in Macedonia. The idea developed already in a discussion between UNHCR, ODHIR and civil society in the beginning of the year 2000 in Skopje.
Objectives:
1. The Meeting shall clarify the role which each international and regional organisation can play in the improvement of the situation of the Roma refugees, returnees and internally displaced persons.
2. The case of the Roma refugees and internally displaced persons is highlighted, because of the fact that a substantive number of the remaining refugees and internally displaced persons caused by the war in Kosovo, are Roma. It shall acknowledge that the situation of the Roma refugees and internally displaced persons is in particular difficult due to the generally known marginalization of the Roma host communities in their respective societies.
4. Recommendations/ plans of action/ project proposals addressed to improve the situation of the Roma refugees, returnees and Roma internally displaced persons in the region shall be collected. The activities shall also benefit the local Roma host communities in the surrounding areas of project implementations.
5. Strategic placement of the problems of the (Roma) refugees, returnees and internally displaced persons into the Agenda of the Stability Pact under Working Table I.
WORKSHOP for Representatives from CIVIL SOCIETY in the Region
(Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
International Protection of Refugees in the Region: The case of Roma Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons
5 - 6 September 2000
Skopje, Alexander Palace
INFORMATION FOR NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS:
1. The respective local UNHCR offices in consultation with the local OSCE offices shall make a procedure for selection of NGOs which will be participating during the meeting. The following criteria shall be relevant for the selection:
· Representativity
· Experience in representing constituency
· Operational experience in dealing with refugees and IDPs
For Macedonia: Each interested NGO shall prepare in written form their proposed presentation for the Conference to the local UNHCR/ OSCE offices. The essay shall give a short assessment of the present situation of Roma refugees in Macedonia (at most 1 page) and outline a possible action plan in the area of legal issues or assistance issues or capacity building (at most 5 pages). UNHCR/ OSCE shall create a selection committee, who will base their selection in addition to the above criteria also on this essay (see Agenda item IV) – Deadline: 15 August 2000. Selection will be announced by the end of August.
Important: In order to allow as many NGOs as possible to participate, each institution shall be represented by only one person!
2. Funding: The organisers will fully fund the NGOs which will participate during the meeting.
3. Summary of the Round Table: A report will be published as a follow-up to the Round Table which will be available to every interested NGO.
APPENDIX 2
Workshop for Civil Society in the Region, 5 and 6 September 2000
LIST OF PARTICIPANTS
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INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS
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Representatives
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Title
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E-mail/telephone
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Address
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Council of Europe
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Francoise Kempf
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Assistant to the Co-ordinator of activities on Roma
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Francoise.kempf@coe.int
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Migration and Roma/Gypsy Division
F-67075 Strasbourg,France
Tel: 03 88 41 38 54
Fax:03 88 41 27 31
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Svetozar Risteski
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CoE,skopje
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Iocoesk1@mt.net.mk
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Mito-Hadzivasilev-Jasmin b.b
Museum of the City of Skopje
Tel:38991-123-616
Fax:38991-123-617
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Ingrid Goessinger
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CoE Kosovo
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Michael Guet
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Assistant
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Michael.guet@coe.int
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Migration and Roma/Gypsy Division
F-67075 Strasbourg,France
Tel: 03 90 21 49 63
Fax:03 88 41 27 31
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OSCE/ ODIHR
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Nikolae Gheorge
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Adviser on Roma and Sinti Issues
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Nicolae@odhir.osce.waw.pl
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Al.Ujazdowskie 19, 00-557,
Warsaw,Poland
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Mission to Skopje
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Harald Schenker
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Mission Member
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Oscemsk@unet.com.mk
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Eileen Simpson
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OSCE
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Oscemsk@unet.com.mk
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Montenegro
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Jan Repa
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OSCE/ODIHR
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Jan.osce@cg.yu
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OSCE/ODIHR, Bulevar Revolucije 5, 81000, Podgorica , Montenegro
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UNHCR
BO Prague
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Jean-Claude Concolato
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Representative, Europe Bureau Focal Point on Roma Issues
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Concolat@unhcr.ch
unhcr@iol.cz
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UNHCR, Karoliny Svetle 8 P.O.Box 505, 111 21 Praha 1, Czech Republic
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FO Kraljevo
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Hinako Toki
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Associate Protection Officer,
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Yugkr@unhcr.ch
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UNHCR, Kraljevo, Omladinska 40, 36000 Kraljevo
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Office of the Special Envoy Pristina
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Grainne O’Hara
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Protection Officer
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Ohara@unhcr.ch
Yugpr@unhcr.ch
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c/o UNHCR, Kosovo, Rr e Kragujevcit 8, 38000, Pristina
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FO Kosovo
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Ariana Zherka
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zherka@unhcr.ch
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c/o UNHCR, Kosovo, Rr e Kragujevcit 8, 38000, Pristina
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UNHCR BO Skopje
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Renata Dubini
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Senior Protection Officer
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Dubini@unhcr.ch
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UNHCR, BO Skopje
Zeleznicka 53, 1000 Skopje
MACEDONIA
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Carolin Spannuth
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Protection Officer
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Spannuth@unhcr.ch
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UNHCR, BO Skopje
Zeleznicka 53, 1000 Skopje
MACEDONIA
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Samuel Le Billan
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Associate Protection Officer
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Lebillan@unhcr.ch
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UNHCR, BO Skopje
Zeleznicka 53, 1000 Skopje
MACEDONIA
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Xiaoyi Li
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Programme Officer
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Lix@unhcr.ch
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Vladimir Vasilevski
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Programme assistant
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vasilevv@unhcr.ch
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Brita Helleland
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External Relations Officer
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hellelan@unhcr.ch
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UNHCR, BO Skopje
Zeleznicka 53, 1000 Skopje
MACEDONIA
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Nikolovski Tihomir
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Protection
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nikolovs@unhcr.ch
|
UNHCR, BO Skopje
Zeleznicka 53, 1000 Skopje
MACEDONIA
|
|
|
Irena Marinova
|
Protection
|
marinova@unhcr.ch
|
UNHCR, BO Skopje
Zeleznicka 53, 1000 Skopje
MACEDONIA
|
|
|
Brenda Goddard
|
Protection
|
goddard@unhcr.ch
|
UNHCR, BO Skopje
Zeleznicka 53, 1000 Skopje
MACEDONIA
|
UNICEF
|
Monique Thorman
|
Communication Officer
|
moniqueg@unicef.org.mk
|
Rampo Levkata 2, Skopje
|
WHO
|
Boris Rebac
|
Public Health Officer
|
bre@who.org.mk
|
|
WFP
|
Lidija Pejic
|
Head Finance & Administration
|
lidijapeic@wfp.org
|
Salvador Allende 73, Skopje
|
UNDP
|
Rikard Elfving
|
Programme Officer
|
RikardElfving@undp.org
|
Dimitrie Cupovski 8, Skopje
|
ICRC
|
Aisha Ahmed
|
Dissemination and communication Delegate
|
icrc@unet.com.mk
|
Kairska 6, Skopje
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INTERNATIONAL NGOs
|
|
|
Representatives
|
Title
|
E-mail/telephone
|
Address
|
ARC
|
Zola Dowell
|
Country Director
|
arccd@mol.com.mk
|
Nikola Tesla 11, Skopje
|
CARE international
|
Milica Kokotovic
|
|
care@unet.com.mk
|
Maksim Gorki 20/3, Skopje
|
CRS
|
Tom Vincent
|
|
tvincent@catholicrelief.org.mk
|
3 Makedonska Brigada, Skopje
|
IRC
|
Theresa Obradovich
|
Country Representative
|
irccd@mt.net.mk
|
Helsinki 16a, Skopje
|
Intersos
|
Enza Di Iorio
|
|
intersos@mt.net.mk
|
Vejko Vlahovic 12b, Skopje
|
Open Society Institute
|
Elvis Ali
|
|
eali@soros.org.mk
|
Jane Sandanski 111, Skopje
|
Save the Children, Kosovo
|
Oona Solberg
|
|
oonasolberg@hotmail.com
|
“Nazim Hikmet” 8, Dragodan I,
38 000 Prishtina
|
Voice of Roma, USA
|
Sumelius Frederika
|
|
trinroma@pacbell.net
|
www.scn.org/roma
|
|
|
NATIONAL ORGANISATIONS
|
|
|
Representatives
|
Title
|
E-mail/telephone
|
Address
|
Macedonia
|
|
|
|
|
Macedonian Red Cross
|
Aleksandra Ivanovska
|
|
ifrcrd@mol.com.mk
|
|
DROM
|
Elezovski Ashmed
|
|
drom@soros.org.mk
|
|
RCKPDUR
|
Jusuf Shaip
|
|
|
Tel: ( 389 91) 249-356
|
ROZPR
|
Shaban Saliu
|
|
|
Shuto Orizari Br.84
Tel: (389 91)651-706, 653-218
070-206-431
|
CSRc
|
Tatjana Bundaleska
|
Legal Assistant
|
tanja_b_yu@yahoo.com
|
Blvd.Partizanski Odredi”21
Porta Bunjkovec A2/2-4 Skopje
Tel.109-509 Fax: 114-412
|
ARRP
|
Shenaj Osmanov
|
|
arrp@freemail.org.mk
|
|
ANGLUNIPE
|
Hasan Idrizi
|
|
|
|
AVUTNIPE
|
Dragomir Stosic
|
Assistant
|
|
“Slan Dol” Br.25 Skopje
tel :(389 91 ) 653-220
|
ARKA
|
Feat Kamberovski
|
President
|
arka_ku@yahoo.com
|
“Lokalitet Serava” Kumanovo,Macedonia
Tel: (389 901) 412-369 , 33 283
|
RMCM
|
Zoran Dimov
|
|
btr@osi.net.mk
|
Tel: 00 389 91-121-322
|
Bosnia and Herzegovina
|
|
|
|
|
Roma Union
|
Mehmet Suljic
|
President
|
Trg Grada Bremena, 75 300 Lukavac, Bosnia-Hercegovina
|
Tel: 00387-35-571-302
Mob:0038766-169-059
|
Roma Union
|
Alaga Suljic
|
|
Trg Grada Bremena, 75 300 Lukavac, Bosnia-Hercegovina
|
Tel: 00387-35-572-667
|
Serbia
|
|
|
|
|
League of Friend of Romas of Serbia
|
Slobodan Mitrovic
|
President
|
lprs@ptt.yu
|
Miodraga Stanojevica 32, 37000 Krusevac, FRY
|
DRA
|
Jordan Vasic
|
President
|
yromainf@Eunet.yu
|
Mihaila Todorovica 6, 11000 Beograd, YU
|
RSU
|
Dejan Markovic
|
Member
|
urs.ro@Eunet.yu
|
Dragoslava Jovanovica 13/17, 1000 Belgrade, Yugoslavia
|
OASIS
|
Zoran Vasic
|
President
|
yromainf@Eunet.yu
|
Mihaila Todorovica 6, 11000 Belgrade, Yu
|
Kosovo
|
|
|
|
|
Shpresa Demokratike
|
Agim Huseni
|
Director
|
Sh.D.H.Haskai
|
“Ali Ajeti” N.H5, Podujevo
|
Womens Initiative
|
Verica Krstic
|
Representative
|
|
C/o UNHCR, Kosovo
|
Kosovo Transiton Councill
|
Haxji Zylfi Mergija
|
Representative
|
|
T.Raica z6 Prizren
Tel : 092-26-106
|
Egyptian Albanian Association
|
Xhevdet Neziraj
|
Representative
|
|
“D.Jovanovic” 7, PEJE 38 300
c/o UNHCR, Kosovo
|
APPENDIX 3
International Protection of Refugees in the Region:
The case of Roma Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons (Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Bosnia)
Part II : Expert Meeting
26 - 27 September 2000
Skopje, Hotel Holiday Inn
AGENDA:
Monday, 25 September:
Arrival of participants.
Tuesday, 26 September:
Morning Session
Chair: UNHCR
09.00 – 09:45 introductory remarks and setting of the objectives by host organisations.
Comments on the objectives and
adoption of the agenda.
09:45 – 10:15 Brief presentation of existing CoE-OSCE/ODIHR
10.15 – 10.45 Presentation of the outcomes of
Part I: Civil Society Meeting (5-6 September).
10.45 - 11.00 Comfort break
11.00 – 11.20 Sharing of experience particularly in mediating with Government authorities to find durable solutions. Legal status and local integration of Roma refugees in Hamburg/ Germany. Presentation by Mr. Rudko Kawzcynski, Roma National Congress.
11.20 – 11.30 Question and Answers
11.30 – 11.50 NGO field perspective in the design and implementation of local initiatives to ensure enjoyment of basic rights of refugees and returnees. Presentation by representative of Romani Criss Romania.
11.50 – 12.00 Question and Answers
12.00 0 12.20 Lessons learnt in the area of education of Roma in Central Europe. Presentation by Mr. Andrej Mirga.
12.20 – 12.30 Question and Answers
12.30 – 12.50 Strategy for the improvement of education for Roma in Bulgaria. Presentation by Mr.Hristo Kyuchukov.
12.50 – 13.00 Question and Answers
13.00 - 14.00 Lunch in the hotel
Afternoon Session:
14:00- 14:30 Proposed methodology and parameters to be
14.30 – 17.00 Working Group Sessions
Group I: Legal status and relevant legal issues
Group II: Integration strategy (priority areas: education,
access to health services, confidence building
actions, etc)
Group III: Reintegration strategy (priority areas: reconciliation campaign, reconstruction of minority housing, education, access to services etc)
Group IV Capacity building (networking, media)
Coffee will be served during the working group sessions
Chair: Council of Europe
17.00 – 19.00 Presentation of proposed plans of action by the rapporteurs of each Working Group followed by comments/suggestion for inclusion by the plenary.
20.30 Dinner
Wednesday, 27 September:
Chair: ODIHR/UNHCR
09.00 – 10:15 Reconvene Working Groups to discuss and finalise plan of actions.
10.15 – 10.30 Comfort break
10:30 – 11:45 Presentation of final plan of action per
10.45 – 11.30 Adoption of proposed plans of action.
11:30 - 12-15 Comments on the interaction of adopted plans of action with existing initiatives.
12.15 – 13:00 Decisions on the follow up process.
13.30 Lunch in the hotel and departure of participants.
APPENDIX 4
EXPERT MEETING 26-27 September 2000
LIST OF PARTICIPANTS
|
|
|
|
|
INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS
|
|
|
Representatives
|
Title
|
E-mail/telephone
|
Address
|
Council of Europe
|
Vladimir Ristovski
|
CoE,skopje
|
Eocoesk@mt.net.mk
|
Mito-Hadzivasilev-Jasmin b.b
Museum of the City of Skopje
Tel:38991-123-616
Fax:38991-123-617
|
|
|
Michael Guet
|
Assistant
|
Michael.guet@coe.int
|
Migration and Roma/Gypsy Division
F-67075 Strasbourg,France
Tel: 03 90 21 49 63
Fax:03 88 41 27 31
|
OSCE/ ODIHR
|
Nikolae Gheorge
|
Adviser on Roma and Sinti Issues
|
Nicolae@odhir.osce.waw.pl
|
Al.Ujazdowskie 19, 00-557,
Warsaw,Poland
|
Mission to Skopje
|
Harald Schenker
|
Mission Member
|
Oscemsk@unet.com.mk
|
|
|
|
?
|
|
|
|
UNHCR
HQ
|
Maricela Daniel
Michael Menning
|
Snr. Protection Officer
Head of Desk
|
|
|
UNHCR
BO Prague
|
Jean-Claude Concolato
|
Representative, Europe Bureau Focal Point on Roma Issues
|
Concolat@unhcr.ch
unhcr@iol.cz
|
UNHCR, Karoliny Svetle 8 P.O.Box 505, 111 21 Praha 1, Czech Republic
|
BO Belgrade
|
Arboledo
Veerapong
|
|
|
|
BO Zagreb
|
Herman
|
Deputy Durable Solutions
|
|
|
Office of the Special Envoy Pristina
|
Grainne O’Hara
Goetfried Koefner
|
Protection Officer
|
Ohara@unhcr.ch
Yugpr@unhcr.ch
|
c/o UNHCR, Kosovo, Rr e Kragujevcit 8, 38000, Pristina
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
UNHCR BO Skopje
|
Renata Dubini
|
Senior Protection Officer
|
Dubini@unhcr.ch
|
UNHCR, BO Skopje
Zeleznicka 53, 1000 Skopje
MACEDONIA
|
|
|
Carolin Spannuth
|
Protection Officer
|
Spannuth@unhcr.ch
|
UNHCR, BO Skopje
Zeleznicka 53, 1000 Skopje
MACEDONIA
|
|
|
Samuel Le Billan
|
Associate Protection Officer
|
Lebillan@unhcr.ch
|
UNHCR, BO Skopje
Zeleznicka 53, 1000 Skopje
MACEDONIA
|
|
|
Xiaoyi Li
|
Programme Officer
|
Lix@unhcr.ch
|
|
|
|
Vladimir Vasilevski
|
Programme assistant
|
vasilevv@unhcr.ch
|
|
|
|
Brita Helleland
|
External Relations Officer
|
hellelan@unhcr.ch
|
UNHCR, BO Skopje
Zeleznicka 53, 1000 Skopje
MACEDONIA
|
|
|
Amin Awad
|
Representative
|
|
|
EU Brussels
|
?
|
|
|
|
EU Skopje
ECHO
|
John Penny, EU
Aldo Biondi, ECHO
|
|
|
|
UNICEF
|
Monique Thorman
|
Communication Officer
|
moniqueg@unicef.org.mk
|
Rampo Levkata 2, Skopje
|
WHO
|
Ambrogio Manenti
|
Head of Office
|
|
|
WFP
|
Lidija Pejic
|
Head Finance & Administration
|
lidijapeic@wfp.org
|
Salvador Allende 73, Skopje
|
UNDP
|
Rikard Elfving
|
Programme Officer
|
RikardElfving@undp.org
|
Dimitrie Cupovski 8, Skopje
|
UNMIK
|
?
|
|
|
|
IFRC
|
?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INTERNATIONAL NGOs
|
|
|
Representatives
|
Title
|
E-mail/telephone
|
Address
|
ARC
|
Zola Dowell
|
Country Director
|
arccd@mol.com.mk
|
Nikola Tesla 11, Skopje
|
IRC
|
Theresa Obradovich
|
Country Representative
|
irccd@mt.net.mk
|
Helsinki 16a, Skopje
|
Open Society Institute
|
Elvis Ali
+ ??
|
|
eali@soros.org.mk
|
Jane Sandanski 111, Skopje
|
|
|
EXPERTS
|
|
|
Representatives
|
Title
|
E-mail/telephone
|
Address
|
Andrzey Mirga
|
|
|
|
|
Rudko Kawczynski
|
|
|
|
|
Vladimir Macura ??
|
|
|
|
|
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