Posts Tagged ‘Roma people’

In the framework of the “+RESPECT” project’s Work Package 3.1 (Participatory working groups/workshops in involved municipalities), ENTP organised a workshop on the topic “Social inclusion, promotion of civic rights for minorities: The case of Roma people” on the 27th of May 2010 in Greece (hosted by the Municipality of Agios Stefanos – held in the suburb of Nea Erithrea).

The audience targeted was composed of representatives of local authorities from different European countries, both elected representatives and municipal officers. The workshop was chaired by Ms Joke van Doorne, former mayor of the Dutch town of Capelle aan den IJssel, already engaged in a series of projects for the integration of the local Roma population. The meeting was opened by the presentation of a successful case of local policies targeting Roma people, namely the one implemented by the Dutch municipality of Nieuwegein, and presented by the mayor, Mr. Cor de Vos. Mr. Sergi Marti, social services officer from the district of Alt Empordà, Spain, presented the territorial plan of citizenship and immigration that has been designed and carried out in order to facilitate the local integration of the different migrant groups, including gypsy communities.

Edoardo Guglielmetti, ENTP project coordinator, presented the +RESPECT project plan and purpose, the EU legal background and the ongoing European debate, and provided the participants with a proposed methodology for local authorities to better integrate Roma issues in their local policies.
The presentations triggered an intense debate among the audience, especially regarding the different national and regional legislations to apply and curiosity about the possible measurability of the results presented as successful.