IF all goes according to plan, the diary of Bozhidara, currently a school first-grader in Bulgaria, will make interesting reading in February 2015.
She was chosen as the symbol of the Decade of Roma Inclusion 2005 – 2015, and the plan is that she will keep a diary of how her life changes – for the better, if the plan works – over the next 10 years.
Bozhidara was in attendance, amid the political heavyweights, the president of the World Bank, and George Soros, as the eight states’ leaders signed the following declaration:
“Building on the momentum of the 2003 conference, ‘Roma in an Expanding Europe & Challenges for the Future’, we pledge that our governments will work toward eliminating discrimination and closing the unacceptable gaps between Roma and the other members of the society, as identified in our Decade Action Plans.
“We declare the years 2005 – 2015 to be the Decade of Roma Inclusion and we commit to support the full participation and involvement of national Roma communities in achieving the Decade’s objectives and to demonstrate progress by measuring outcomes and reviewing experiences in the implementation of the Decade’s Action Plans.
“We invite other states to join our effort.” The signatures that followed were those of the heads of government of Bulgaria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Macedonia, Serbia-Montenegro, Romania, Slovakia and Croatia.
The main goals of the programme are to main goals are to resolve the problems of Roma related to education, health care, housing and employment.
To accelerate social inclusion and improve the economic status of Roma, each country will set goals for improvements in four identified priority areas-education, employment, health, and housing. The Decade will also provide a follow-up framework to monitor progress in ending the severe discrimination and poverty faced by Roma communities in the region.
George Soros, chairman of the Open Society Institute, said at the international launch ceremony: “The Decade signals a sea change in Roma policy. But it is just the beginning. Problems will not be solved overnight and we must be prepared to fight social exclusion and discrimination over the course of the Decade. The Decade itself is an inclusive exercise and we welcome other countries, including European Union member states, to join”.
The Decade planning is guided by an International Steering Committee, made up of representatives of governments, Roma from each country, and international organisations.
According to the official literature of the Decade’s organisers, the project is “owned by the governments that signed on to it”.
Funding of the Decade action plans involves the reallocation of existing resources in national budgets and aligning these plans with funding instruments of multinational, international, and bilateral donors.
“In addition to the governments of the participating countries, the World Bank, and the Open Society Institute, the Decade of Roma Inclusion is supported by the European Commission, the United Nations Development Program, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Council of Europe, the Council of Europe Development Bank, and most importantly, Romani leadership,” according to a statement on the World Bank web site.
According to the World Bank, Roma are now one of the largest, poorest, and fastest growing minorities in Europe. The total Roma population in all of Europe is estimated at between seven to nine million. They represent roughly two per cent of the 450 million people who live in the enlarged EU. Roma populations are significantly younger than majority populations – between 40 to 50 per cent of Roma in the Decade countries are under 20 years of age.
About six million Roma live in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, with nearly five million in the new member states of the EU.
Poverty rates for Roma range between four and 10 times that of non-Roma in Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, and Serbia and Montenegro-nearly 40 percent of Roma in Romania and Bulgaria live on less than $2.15 a day.
Roma are often deprived of the resources necessary for adequate living conditions, but they also lack access to education, labour markets, social and health services, and channels for participation in society.
Gaps in education between Roma and majority populations are stark. Across countries, about 70 to 80 per cent of Roma have less than a primary school education. Fewer than one per cent of Roma continue on to higher education. Between 50 to 80 per cent of Roma study in “special schools” intended for the mentally and physically disabled, which limit their future opportunities in education and on the labour market.
In a study released to coincide with the international launch of the Decade, the UNDP said that the Roma dwelt in “abject living conditions” and suffered from unemployment, lack of housing, low school enrolment, illiteracy, and were denied access to essential medicines, running water, and modern communications such as telephones.
Speaking at the launch, Bulgaria’s Prime Minister, Simeon Saxe-Coburg, said that a change was needed in the existing image of the Roma community.
“It is time that society abandoned the old prejudices. The positive potential of the Roma should be brought to the foreground, as well as their will to succeed and to find an equal place. I am convinced that our Roma friends are motivated enough to generate this change, because we can have success only if we are together and not separated,” Saxe-Coburg said.
He quoted an old Roma saying – “One brick is not sufficient to build a house”.
Saxe-Coburg said that all society, and not just institutions, should mobilise to support the Decade.
“I am sure that we shall see the result of our work if we are together. In this sense, I want to underline the idea that it is very important for the Roma community itself to be united around the aims of the Decade. This is the chance for a whole generation, and for a number of future generations to start a new and better life.”
He said that the Roma had travelled through many countries to settle down at a particular place.
“They have encountered various values, customs and traditions. Gradually, their culture has enriched in a specific way these countries. On the other hand, the Roma communities have acquired elements of the cultural identity they encountered. This way of existence is in the basis of the Roma philosophy of life, which has preserved them as a people. Their history is connected to insatiable curiosity towards life; it is famous for their openness to other spiritual values and cultures. Taking this into consideration, I would say that the Roma communities in our countries are ready to fully participate into the European process of integration and closing the gap between peoples, simply because this has been part of their lifestyle throughout the centuries,” Saxe-Coburg said.
She was chosen as the symbol of the Decade of Roma Inclusion 2005 – 2015, and the plan is that she will keep a diary of how her life changes – for the better, if the plan works – over the next 10 years.
Bozhidara was in attendance, amid the political heavyweights, the president of the World Bank, and George Soros, as the eight states’ leaders signed the following declaration:
“Building on the momentum of the 2003 conference, ‘Roma in an Expanding Europe & Challenges for the Future’, we pledge that our governments will work toward eliminating discrimination and closing the unacceptable gaps between Roma and the other members of the society, as identified in our Decade Action Plans.
“We declare the years 2005 – 2015 to be the Decade of Roma Inclusion and we commit to support the full participation and involvement of national Roma communities in achieving the Decade’s objectives and to demonstrate progress by measuring outcomes and reviewing experiences in the implementation of the Decade’s Action Plans.
“We invite other states to join our effort.” The signatures that followed were those of the heads of government of Bulgaria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Macedonia, Serbia-Montenegro, Romania, Slovakia and Croatia.
The main goals of the programme are to main goals are to resolve the problems of Roma related to education, health care, housing and employment.
To accelerate social inclusion and improve the economic status of Roma, each country will set goals for improvements in four identified priority areas-education, employment, health, and housing. The Decade will also provide a follow-up framework to monitor progress in ending the severe discrimination and poverty faced by Roma communities in the region.
George Soros, chairman of the Open Society Institute, said at the international launch ceremony: “The Decade signals a sea change in Roma policy. But it is just the beginning. Problems will not be solved overnight and we must be prepared to fight social exclusion and discrimination over the course of the Decade. The Decade itself is an inclusive exercise and we welcome other countries, including European Union member states, to join”.
The Decade planning is guided by an International Steering Committee, made up of representatives of governments, Roma from each country, and international organisations.
According to the official literature of the Decade’s organisers, the project is “owned by the governments that signed on to it”.
Funding of the Decade action plans involves the reallocation of existing resources in national budgets and aligning these plans with funding instruments of multinational, international, and bilateral donors.
“In addition to the governments of the participating countries, the World Bank, and the Open Society Institute, the Decade of Roma Inclusion is supported by the European Commission, the United Nations Development Program, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Council of Europe, the Council of Europe Development Bank, and most importantly, Romani leadership,” according to a statement on the World Bank web site.
According to the World Bank, Roma are now one of the largest, poorest, and fastest growing minorities in Europe. The total Roma population in all of Europe is estimated at between seven to nine million. They represent roughly two per cent of the 450 million people who live in the enlarged EU. Roma populations are significantly younger than majority populations – between 40 to 50 per cent of Roma in the Decade countries are under 20 years of age.
About six million Roma live in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, with nearly five million in the new member states of the EU.
Poverty rates for Roma range between four and 10 times that of non-Roma in Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, and Serbia and Montenegro-nearly 40 percent of Roma in Romania and Bulgaria live on less than $2.15 a day.
Roma are often deprived of the resources necessary for adequate living conditions, but they also lack access to education, labour markets, social and health services, and channels for participation in society.
Gaps in education between Roma and majority populations are stark. Across countries, about 70 to 80 per cent of Roma have less than a primary school education. Fewer than one per cent of Roma continue on to higher education. Between 50 to 80 per cent of Roma study in “special schools” intended for the mentally and physically disabled, which limit their future opportunities in education and on the labour market.
In a study released to coincide with the international launch of the Decade, the UNDP said that the Roma dwelt in “abject living conditions” and suffered from unemployment, lack of housing, low school enrolment, illiteracy, and were denied access to essential medicines, running water, and modern communications such as telephones.
Speaking at the launch, Bulgaria’s Prime Minister, Simeon Saxe-Coburg, said that a change was needed in the existing image of the Roma community.
“It is time that society abandoned the old prejudices. The positive potential of the Roma should be brought to the foreground, as well as their will to succeed and to find an equal place. I am convinced that our Roma friends are motivated enough to generate this change, because we can have success only if we are together and not separated,” Saxe-Coburg said.
He quoted an old Roma saying – “One brick is not sufficient to build a house”.
Saxe-Coburg said that all society, and not just institutions, should mobilise to support the Decade.
“I am sure that we shall see the result of our work if we are together. In this sense, I want to underline the idea that it is very important for the Roma community itself to be united around the aims of the Decade. This is the chance for a whole generation, and for a number of future generations to start a new and better life.”
He said that the Roma had travelled through many countries to settle down at a particular place.
“They have encountered various values, customs and traditions. Gradually, their culture has enriched in a specific way these countries. On the other hand, the Roma communities have acquired elements of the cultural identity they encountered. This way of existence is in the basis of the Roma philosophy of life, which has preserved them as a people. Their history is connected to insatiable curiosity towards life; it is famous for their openness to other spiritual values and cultures. Taking this into consideration, I would say that the Roma communities in our countries are ready to fully participate into the European process of integration and closing the gap between peoples, simply because this has been part of their lifestyle throughout the centuries,” Saxe-Coburg said.
