INDEX event – Roma Week 2026

INDEX Event – Roma Inclusion and Human Rights in Europe: Strengthening Civil Society Monitoring across EU and Council of Europe Frameworks

Time: 21 April 2026 | 11:30 – 14:00
Venue: European Parliament, Altiero Spinelli, Info-Hub
!!! Important: This event was moved to an earlier time due to room availability

Watch the event online here: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/streaming/?event=20260421-1145-SPECIAL-OTHER

Co-organised by ERGO Network and Council of Europe

IMPORTANT:

For participants who only registered for the INDEX event, please arrive directly at the INFO-HUB for check-in registration by 11:30. Please look for the Roma Week sign for assistance. INFO-HUB is situated on the esplanade in front of the Altiero Spinelli Building, on the left-hand side when approaching from Place Luxembourg.

External participation costs are not covered by the organisers.
Please note that participation may be subject to seat availability. We will confirm your place once your registration has been reviewed.

Agenda:

Draft Agenda

11:30 – 11:45 | Registration

11:45 – 12:00 | Opening Remarks

Moderate: Isabela Mihalache, ERGO Network

Eleni Tsetsekou, Head of the Council of Europe Roma and Travellers Division, Directorate General of Equal Rights and Dignity

12:00 – 12:30 | Presentation of the RIPE Index – Key Findings
Moderator: Isabela Mihalache, ERGO Network
Speakers:

Lavinia Banu, Lead Researcher
Ismael Cortez, Focal Point, Spain
Nesime Salioska, Focal Point, North Macedonia
Lynsey Kavanagh, Focal Point, Ireland

12:30 – 12:50 | Panel I – Lessons Learnt in Civil Society Monitoring
Speakers:

Marek Hojsik, Central European University, Roma Civil Monitoring
Sergen Gül, vice chairman of Romani Godi and Roma studies expert: Data access and legal barriers – the Enlargement perspective

12:50 – 13:45 | Panel II – Aligning EU and Council of Europe Monitoring Frameworks
Moderator: Tamas Kadar, EQUINET

Robert Rustem, European Commission against Racism and Intolerance, Council of Europe
Elise Cornu, Head of Division of National minorities and Minority Languages, Council of Europe (online)
Jaroslav Kling, Fundamental Rights Agency

13:45 – 14:00 | Key Takeaways

Mila Paspalanova, Anti-Racial Discrimination Advisor, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Representation Office to the European Union (ROEU)
Julie Pascoet, European Network Against Racism

Accreditation and Access to the European Parliament for Roma Week Events

For those who registered or requested an entry badge, please note that accreditation is granted via an automated self-service machine (similar to airport customs machines), located in Station Europe (see photo below), in front of the Altiero Spinelli Building (entrance from Place Luxembourg).

You may collect your access badge only on the day of your event from the self-service machine in Station Europe. Please follow the specific event guidelines to ensure that a Parliament assistant, accompanied by ERGO staff holding a Roma Week poster pick-you up before the designated time set by the event organizers, allowing for a smooth and timely entry into the European Parliament.

For those requiring assistance with the self-service machine, ERGO colleagues will be at Station Europe approximately one hour before the event start time (holding a Roma Week poster) to help with the process.

Regular Entry to the European Parliament

If you already possess a valid access badge, please proceed directly to the event location and arrive at least 10 minutes early to ensure a timely start.

To celebrate International Roma Day (8 April), the Council of Europe organises Opre Roma! month from 1 to 30 April 2025, to raise awareness and highlight the challenges faced by Roma and Travellers in Europe. Events paying tribute to the contribution of the Roma language, culture and history to Europe`s heritage and cultural wealth take place in Council of Europe member States and in Strasbourg, under the aegis of the Committee of Experts on Roma and Traveller Issues (ADI-ROM).