European Academic Network on Romani Studies

A European Union / Council of Europe Joint Programme (June 2011 - May 2013)

Origin of the project

A new joint action between the Council of Europe and the European Union, aimed at setting up a European Academic Network on Romani Studies, concluded on a programme of a two-year duration (June 2011 – May 2013). The project reflects a DG EAC initiative on Intercultural Dialogue leading to an initial brainstorming in 2009, a follow-up meeting in March 2010, gathering some 40 experts in the field who discussed the interest and feasibility of the future network, and more recently in March 2011, a consultation between some eminent academics on Romani Studies and representatives of the European Commission and the Council of Europe, on objective criteria to be set for membership, the nomination and the role of a scientific committee and the recruitment of the secretariat of the network. The project builds upon networks and results of the work on Roma education and inclusion carried out by the Council of Europe.

Aims of the network

The overall aim of the project is to facilitate intercultural dialogue and support efforts towards the social inclusion of Romani citizens in Europe. The project will raise the visibility of existing research and foster cooperation with policymakers, by providing evidence for better conceived policy initiatives. One of its key roles will be to provide references and guidance to policymakers and young researchers.

Scope and composition of the network

The network will involve recognised academics working on Romani studies, as well as junior researchers who could be mentored, thus creating a true interdisciplinary community of researchers. Access to the network will be permanently open to all experts with relevant expertise on the basis of agreed and transparent criteria. The network itself, possibly through a scientific committee composed of a restricted group of academics, will develop mechanisms to generate common positions on policy issues and debates. It will establish co-operation with civil society organisations and policymakers. Moreover an observer status could be given to relevant civil society organisations.

Activities and network management

Activities of the network will mainly consist of:

an annual scientific conference gathering the network members and smaller seminars;
a database of relevant research;
an annual publication;
a website, etc.

They will be defined and steered by the scientific committee with the assistance of a secretary and an assistant. The management of the project itself will be jointly overseen by the Council of Europe and the European Commission. Each institution has appointed a coordinator/contact person.

Meetings

2nd meeting of the Scientific Committee, Brussels, 14 December 2011

The European Academic Network on Romani Studies was presented at the Conference "From segregation to integration - the role of culture in Roma inclusion", organised by the European Commission on 18 April 2012 in Brussels.

Members of the Network attended the Extraordinary European Platform on Roma Inclusion organised by the European Commission on 22 March 2012 in Brussels, Belgium

Participation of some Network's Members in the Seminar URBA-ROM 'Dynamiques d'insertion des publics en grande précarité : l'expérience des migrants Roms en France. Regards croisés action/recherche', Paris, 5 November 2011

Participation of some Network's Members in the Regional Expert Meeting "Promoting the Right to Quality Education for Roma People" on 17-18 October in Belgrade (Serbia)

Participation of some Network's representatives in the Roma Youth Conference (26-30 September 2011)

László Fosztó, Secretary of the Network attended the Summit of Mayors on Roma on 22 September in Strasbourg (the outcome of which was the decision on the creation of a European Alliance of Cities and Regions for Roma inclusion )

1st meeting of the Scientific Committee, Paris, 23 June 2011

Useful links

The Strasbourg Declaration on Roma

Roma Portal

Dosta campaign

Mediation for Roma (ROMED)

The Romani Archives and Documentation Center (RADOC)

The specialized library with archive "Studii Romani"

Balkan Ethnology

ECRI General Policy Recommendation no.13 on combating anti-Gypsyism and discrimination against Roma

Final Declaration of the Summit of Mayors on Roma

Database of policies and good practices