Intersectional perspectives of Romani Children’s Rights

Intersectional perspectives of Romani Children’s Rights

Venue: European Committee of the Regions, Van Maerlantstraat 2, 1040 Brussels, Room VMA21
Date: 11 April 2024
Time: 15:15-17:15
Organiser: Minority Initiatives and EPHA
Format: Online/In-Person
Online recording: Here

Roma children have faced interdisciplinary systemic discrimination every day since their early childhood. From all sides, they collide with worrisome circumstances from the first day of birth; for many, health care is already in question. Then, when they leave the hospital, they continue their lives, in large numbers, in Roma settlements, which in many EU countries are absolutely in conflict with everything that represents the green agenda.

Kindergartens usually do not have room for Roma children; they often arrive in schools unprepared for school, without preschool education. They are often in contact with social protection, and unfortunately, not so rarely, they learn early on what it means to conflict with the law. Even in sports, they experience intense discrimination. To challenge all of the above and develop a different practice, the event will discuss ways to employ an effective intersectoral approach to Roma children.

AGENDA

15:30 – 15:45    Opening

Moderator: Tanja Vasic, Minority Initiatives

  • Marie Cecile Rouillon, Commission Coordinator on the Rights of the Child                        

15:45 – 16:45    Universality of Roma children’s rights

Moderator: Cristi Mihalache, Chief of the Contact Point for Roma and Sinti Issues, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights

  • Tanja Vasic, Minority Initiative: Safeguarding the Rights of the Roma Children
  • Aljosa Rudas, Program Manager, International Step by Step Association / Romani Early Years Network (ISSA/ REYN): Childhood in the Shadows: Stories of the In(visible) Childhood of Roma Children in Europe – online
  • MEP Anna Donath, Hungary, Renew, Member of the LIBE and EMPL Committees
  • Marian Mandache, Human Rights Lawyer, Access of Roma children to justice

16:45 – 17:45    Intersectionality of Roma children’s rights

Moderator:  Mila Paspalanova, Anti-Racial Discrimination Advisor, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Regional Office for Europe

  • Cerasela Banica, Secretary of State, Council for Combating Discrimination (Equality Body), Romania – segregation of Roma children in education
  • Giulia Di Rocco, president of the first Italian national political party Mistipè, legal perspective – online
  • Allison Hulmes, Lecturer at Swansea University, UK: Reflection, Objective, Movement and Action (ROMA) Model: A Framework for Restorative Practice – social protection perspective.

17:45 – 18:00    Conclusions and end of the Roma week

  • Helena Dalli, European Commissioner for Equality (video message)
  • Akos Topolanszky, President of the Permanent Group on Inclusion of the Roma, European Economic and Social Committee (check the name)
  • Gabriela Hrabanova, Director ERGO Network