The 6th Dialogue meeting took place on 15 – 16 October 2018 in Strasbourg and was timely chosen to provide the opportunity for Roma and Traveller civil society to assess the successes and challenges resulting from the implementation of the Thematic Action Plan on the Inclusion of Roma and Travellers (2016-2019) and to identify and propose those priority areas, key targets and effective strategies which should be incorporated in the Council of Europe’s post-2019 strategic policy document on Roma and Traveller inclusion.
Roma and Traveller experts from local civil society and representatives of Roma and Traveller organisations, including youth and women organisations that have been working with the Council of Europe and with expertise in the areas covered by the Action Plan were invited to participate. The opportunity for Roma and Traveller civil society to be part of the assessment and review process not only provided space for input and feedback of main outcomes of the Thematic Action Plan but also further consolidated the interaction between Council of Europe and Roma and Traveller civil society.
The assessment of the implementation of the Thematic Action Plan on the Inclusion of Roma and Travellers (2016-2019) by Roma and Traveller civil society was arranged in five thematic workgroups which covered strategic areas of the Plan. The aim was to create the space for all Dialogue participants to assess the implementation of the Plan and identify and propose topics that should be included in the Council of Europe’s post-2019 strategic policy document on Roma and Traveller inclusion, while taking in consideration recent developments and political trends in the member states.
The Dialogue with Roma and Traveller Civil Society serves as a forum between civil society, the Council of Europe and other key stakeholders to improve knowledge through exchange of experiences, by sharing best practices, and by planning future co-operation activities at international, national and local level. Through their diversity of representation and voice, Roma and Traveller civil society can relay at national and local levels Council of Europe actions and contribute with their technical expertise and grassroots knowledge to constructive and mutual dialogue.
