“Local and regional authorities must foster the participation of young Roma in political life by promoting inclusion and ensuring their security and integration,” stated John Warmisham, Congress spokesperson on Roma issues, at the online meeting of the Task Force on Roma Youth Participation and Anti-Gypsyism on 18 June 2020.
Mr. Warmisham explained that young Roma face issues such as poverty, exclusion and lack of opportunities within and outside the community, as well as difficulties in accessing their human rights. Empowerment enables them to grow up free from discrimination and build a future for themselves in European societies.
“It is crucial that local and regional elected representatives make it a priority to condemn and combat anti-Gypsyism by promoting positive images of Roma as full citizens and launching or financing programmes to improve their access to education and employment,” said the spokesperson. He drew the participants’ attention to the 2017 “Declaration of local and regional elected representatives against anti-Gypsyism”, which has so far been signed by 122 mayors and councillors from 34 countries.
Other Congress initiatives aimed at ensuring the long-term integration of Roma and Travellers at local and regional levels are the European Alliance of Cities and Regions for Roma Inclusion, set up in 2014 as a framework for co-operation and sharing good practices among local authorities, and the Dosta! Prize, awarded every two years to three municipalities that have implemented innovative strategies in this field.
The full and meaningful participation of young people in political life is indeed an essential pillar of local and regional governance. That is why, since 2014, the Congress’s “Rejuvenating politics” initiative has allowed youth delegates from the 47 Council of Europe member States to take part in its sessions by actively contributing to debates and suggesting subjects for future reports.
See also:
- Resolution 403 (2016) on the situation of Roma and Travellers in the context of rising extremism, xenophobia and the refugee crisis in Europe
- Recommendation 354 (2014) on “Empowering Roma youth through participation: effective policy design at local and regional levels”
- Report CG32(2017)11: “Forever Young? The role of youth policies and youth work at local and regional levels”
