Düsseldorf (Germany)

Report from the Conference Held in Düsseldorf – December 15, 2024

Organizers and Objectives of the Conference:
The Roma European Union (REU) Jekhipe, in collaboration with Roma Center e.V. and with the support and partnership of CARMEN e.V., organized a joint meeting in Düsseldorf, Germany. The purpose of the meeting was to bring together Roma organizations operating in Germany to discuss potential cooperation and strengthen joint actions. Roma organizations from Germany, Serbia, Belgium, and Bulgaria participated in the event.

Location:
The conference was held at AWO ZentrumPlus in Düsseldorf.

Program and Activities:

09:00 – 09:15: Opening Remarks
The conference was opened by representatives of Carmen e.V., Roma Center, and REU Jekhipe, who welcomed the participants and highlighted the importance of collective efforts to improve the political representation of Roma at both national and European levels.

09:15 – 10:00: Presentation of Participating Organizations
The participating organizations introduced their activities, projects, and the challenges they face in their efforts to advance Roma rights in different countries.

10:00 – 11:00: Presentation and Discussion – Insufficient Political Representation of Roma
A presentation was given on the current situation in Germany, emphasizing the limited political influence of the Roma community. The discussion focused on the reasons for this underrepresentation and potential ways to address it.

11:00 – 11:15: Coffee Break
Participants had the opportunity to network informally and exchange ideas.

11:15 – 13:00: Workshop – Political Representation of Roma in Germany and Europe: What’s Next?
Participants worked in groups to develop strategies addressing key issues, including:

Structural and institutional discrimination and racism
Combating right-wing extremism
Roma participation in elections
Structural funding for Roma organizations
Strengthening cooperation among organizations
13:00 – 14:00: Lunch Break
Participants enjoyed lunch and continued informal discussions.

14:00 – 15:30: Presentation and Discussion of Workshop Results
The working groups presented the results of their discussions, which were then thoroughly reviewed. Key conclusions included the need for joint initiatives and enhanced political lobbying for Roma at all levels.

15:30 – 16:30: Plan for 2025
Participants agreed on key priorities for the upcoming year, including planning future meetings, raising awareness of Roma issues, and strengthening cooperation among organizations from different countries.

Closing Remarks and Farewell:
The conference concluded with the shared understanding that only through joint efforts can Roma organizations achieve significant progress in the fight for Roma rights and political representation.

Conclusion:
The conference in Düsseldorf provided an important platform for exchanging ideas, experiences, and strategies. The organizations agreed that cooperation is essential to overcoming challenges and improving the position of Roma across Europe.