European CommissionApr 10, 2023

Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities

1

The Roma Platform in September 2009 The Roma Platform in September 2009

Meeting of the EUROMA Network Meeting of the EUROMA Network

European CommissionDG for Employment, Social affairs and Equal opportunities

Stockholm, September 24, 2009

europeaneuropean platform platform

forfor roma inclusionroma inclusion

European Commission

General Affairs

December 2008

European Council

December 2007

European Council

June 2008

Conclusions of Councils 2007-2008

1st time officially recognized issue, 1st ever official Commission report

Member States’ commitment and mandate for the Commission

Commission’s willingness to lead, coordinate and support

Integration of Roma inclusion into structural policies

Social Affairs

June 2009

European CommissionApr 10, 2023

Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities

3

General Affairs Council

December 2008

European Council

December 2007

European Council

June 2008

Context: Council conclusions in 2007-2009

Political commitment of EU and Member States to address the issue at Community level and implement action at national level

Member States’ commitment

Mandate for the Commission

Commission’s willingness to lead, coordinate and support

Common Basic Principles to be embedded in all policies

Integration of Roma aspects in structural policies

EPSCO Council

June 2009

European CommissionApr 10, 2023

Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities

4

Implementation of the platform

• Platform as a process driven by stakeholders (EU institutions, committed Member States, international organizations and civil society) and their actions

• Key roles of EU Presidencies: maintain political momentum in Council work and through EU Roma Summits and platform events

• European Commission is willing to lead by example as key stakeholder through action and deliverance of tangible results

• Basic principles as key for success: development of Common Basic Principles by Czech Presidency

• Need for complementary and mutually reinforcing action undertaken by the Member States and the EU in the limits of their competencies

European Commission

The 10 Common Basic Principles

6. Transfer of evidence-based policies

7. Use of Community instruments

8. Involvement of regional and local authorities

9. Involvement of civil society

10. Active participation of the Roma

1. Constructive, pragmatic and non-discriminatory policies

2. Explicit but not exclusive targeting

3. Inter-cultural approach

4. Aiming for the mainstream

5. Awareness of the gender dimension

European Commission

The 2nd Meeting of the European Platform

Focus on EDUCATION

!

Political interventions

• State Secretary Christer Hallerby (Swedish Ministry for Integration and Gender Equality)

• Commissioner Jan Figel

• Commissioner Vladimír Špidla

Key problems of Roma in the education system

• Expert’s Presentation Mihai Surdu (Roma Education Fund)

• General discussion

The way forward: Transferable policies and good practice

• Mainstreaming education (Sweden)

• Equal opportunities funding policy (Hungary)

• Roma women against segregation (Romania)

European Commission

Why focusing on education?

Education is the way to achieve equal chances in

society

Education must not be a stand-alone policy but must be embedded into wider policies on improving

- socio-economic structures - public health - urban rehabilitation

Education is a perfect example for the need to focus on the

inclusion of Roma into the mainstream of the educational system and the mainstream of

society