Ontmoeting met Roma NGO in Belgrado

Report from the two-day meeting of the Roma European Union JEKHIPE, Belgrade, September 9-10, 2024

Introduction

The two-day meeting, organized by the Roma European Union JEKHIPE with the support of Roma Center e.V. and in cooperation with the Roma political party, the Roma Union of Serbia, was held in Belgrade on September 9 and 10, 2024. The meeting brought together numerous representatives of Roma organizations, government institutions, international organizations, and media, with the goal of exchanging experiences, identifying key challenges, and formulating concrete recommendations for improving the position of Roma in Serbia.

Attendance and Participants

The meeting was attended by representatives of Roma organizations from various parts of Serbia, as well as representatives of relevant government institutions, including:

Ministry of Health
Ministry of Employment
Ministry of Education
Office for Kosovo and Metohija
Commissioner for Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons
International organizations, including GiZ, the German governmental organization headquartered in Belgrade, were also present and actively participated in the discussions. A key role in the meeting was played by Roma media representatives, who contributed to the discussions and presented their future programs and strategies to improve media coverage of Roma issues.

Objectives of the Meeting

The objectives of the two-day meeting were:

Exchange experiences and challenges faced by the Roma community in various areas.
Formulate recommendations and solutions for improving the position of Roma through collaboration with state institutions and international organizations.
Present the activities and future strategies of Roma media in the fight against discrimination and the promotion of inclusion.
Day One (September 9, 2024) – Introductions and Discussions

The first day of the meeting was dedicated to introducing the participants and presenting the institutions, organizations, and media that were present. In the opening statements, each institution and organization presented their work, ongoing projects, and plans for the future, with a particular focus on issues related to the Roma community.

The working portion of the first day was centered on thematic discussions through four workshops addressing key topics: education, Roma inclusion, housing issues, and healthcare. During these workshops, key problems were identified, their causes and consequences analyzed, and participants had the opportunity to propose concrete measures and recommendations.

Workshops – Overview of Key Topics

Education
The discussion highlighted several key challenges in Roma education. Issues of school segregation, discrimination within the education system, and uninformed Roma parents were identified. There is a recognized need for introducing culturally sensitive education programs and for more active involvement of Roma parents in the educational process.

Roma Inclusion
The workshop on Roma inclusion emphasized the existence of discrimination in all spheres of social life, including employment, access to social services, and daily interactions. Ways to improve inclusion were discussed, particularly through enhancing dialogue between the Roma community, government institutions, and the broader public.

Housing Issues
Discussions addressed the difficult living conditions many Roma face, including unhygienic settlements lacking basic infrastructure and the constant threat of forced evictions. A particularly alarming issue is that each winter, many Roma homes are destroyed by fire, leaving families on the streets. Participants stressed the need for urgent action to provide permanent housing solutions and improve living conditions for Roma.

Healthcare
The healthcare discussion highlighted problems with access to healthcare services due to a lack of information, the absence of health insurance, and frequent discrimination in health institutions. Recommendations were made to introduce educational programs for healthcare workers to reduce the gap in healthcare access for Roma.

Day Two (September 10, 2024) – Report Preparation and Discussions with Government and International Institutions

The second day of the meeting was dedicated to preparing a report with recommendations and questions for government and international institutions based on the conclusions of the workshops. Participants worked together to formulate specific demands and proposals to be addressed to relevant institutions in order to secure better and more equal treatment of Roma in Serbia.

Participation of Government and International Institutions

On the second day, the meeting was joined by representatives of government institutions and international organizations. The Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Employment, the Ministry of Education, the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, and the Commissioner for Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons actively engaged in the discussions and demonstrated their willingness to consider the recommendations and proposals outlined in the report.

Presence of Roma Media

Roma media played a significant role in the meeting, actively participating in the discussions and contributing through the presentation of their future plans and strategies. Their role in fighting discrimination and promoting a positive image of the Roma community is crucial. Roma media emphasized that they will continue to report on Roma-related issues and work towards improving the quality of media content that promotes inclusion and equality.

Conclusions and Recommendations

At the end of the meeting, participants emphasized that, despite positive progress, the path to full equality for Roma in Serbia remains long and challenging. Government institutions recognized the need for more intensive cooperation and joint action, while international organizations expressed their readiness to provide additional support through projects and programs.

Key recommendations include:

Improving the education system by eliminating segregation and introducing culturally sensitive programs.
Strengthening Roma inclusion by increasing access to employment and social services.
Resolving housing issues by providing permanent housing solutions and infrastructure.
Improving access to healthcare services and educating healthcare workers about the specific needs of the Roma community.
Supporting Roma media to improve reporting on Roma issues and promote positive stories from the community.
Conclusion

The two-day meeting demonstrated that only through joint efforts and mutual understanding can progress be achieved. Roma have been a part of this society for centuries, and only through inclusion and equality can we create a better future for all. We call on all relevant institutions to continue working on improving the position of Roma and, through cooperation with the Roma community, to achieve sustainable and long-term results.

Thank you to all participants for their contributions and engagement. We will continue to walk together toward a more equal and just society for all.