Posts Tagged ‘social housing’

Alvaro Ancisi

The document “The Social and Economic Integration of the Roma in Europe” has been discussed at the meeting of the Commission for Economic and Social Policy of the Committee of the Regions, held on 22 June 2010 in Kavala (Greece). Mr. Ancisi, Vice President of the National Association of Italian Municipalities, underlined the need to fight against the discrimination of the Roma people. Indeed the local, regional and national authorities can play a strategic role for the inclusion process and for informing the Roma population on its rights. The Roma people situation is worse than the other ethnic minorities. “They have low levels of school attendance and greater levels of unemployment”, Ancisi said. Furthermore it is necessary to combat the manifold forms of discrimination suffered by Roma women and assuring an equal access to healthcare and other public services as well. This is possible only through appropriate urban planning and housing policies adopted by the local, regional and European authorities, which can also play a significant role for the removal of cultural prejudices and stereotypes. Moreover the civil society should be involved in the Roma social inclusion process for a civil harmony in coordination with local authorities and the police forces.
Download the Discussion paper here: The social and economic integration of the Roma in Europe