On 04-11 April, the Council of Europe Office in Tirana will join forces with other international organisations, partner institutions at central and local level, equality bodies, and civil society in organising the Roma Week in Albania under the slogan “History and culture in the spotlight for a better present”.

The Roma Week is built around 8 April, known as the International Roma Day, in memory of the first major international meeting of Roma representatives, on 7–12 April 1971 in Chelsfield, near London, which called on affirming the Roma political identity and symbols of anthem, flag, advocating for the rights of Roma people and preserving Roma culture.

A comprehensive calendar of activities at the national level aims at celebrating Roma culture and history, while raising awareness on the most pressing issues concerning Roma minority in the country.

In this context, the Council of Europe will utilize, inter alia, the established mechanisms of cooperation between local authorities and Roma community, to discuss the respective monitoring reports on the implementation of the Local Action Plans for the Integration of Roma and Egyptian Minorities 2019-2022.

The Council of Europe contributions to the Roma Week in Albania 2022 will be provided in the context of the joint European Union and Council of Europe projects “ROMACTED: Promoting good governance and Roma empowerment at local level” and “Promoting diversity and equality in Albania”.

The full calendar of events can be found HERE.