Better, but insufficient inclusion for Roma [Radio Jadran]
- Details
- Wednesday, 08 April 2015 14:07
International Roma Day is celebrated around the world today, in honor of the first Congress of Roma held from 8 - 12 April 1971 in London. At that day, the Congress adopted the decision on the Roma flag and official anthem. Opinions are divided whether there are reasons to celebrate Roma Day this year, notes Samir Jaha, founder of the NGO "Young Roma", for the Radio Jadran.
Yet, his position is that there are several aspects for celebration. Namely, Romani story is something that is discussed in public, while international organizations and institutions implement specific programs for the advancement of the postion of this community.
Process of inclusion of the Roma community has advanced, but it is, of course, necessary to do a lot more, says Jaha.
"Last year, 17 people were hired on a permanent or temporary basis under the projects on resolving personal documentation, which is our priority, because it allows access to social protection and registration with the Labour Office.Our organization has been selected as the Decade focal point, and through this project, we provide the participation of relevant Roma representatives at national and international conferences, in order to seek and adopt common positions with peers", says Jaha.
For two years now, we are implementing education program in Herceg Novi to improve the education of Roma in cooperation with the OSCE mission. "Around 70 Roma children have everyday opportunity to gain teaching support, with three assistants. These days we expect this project to be continued. We also hired 4 Roma women through the cooperation with the Employment Agency", he explains.
Also, through project within the public works and in cooperation with the German organization HELP, we initiated a project for crafting and selling unique jewelry "Domestic Roma Handicraft." The project is implemented in Podgorica, but recently it was extended to Herceg Novi.
"Help provided us with the necessary tools and materials for all of this, and because of the positive experiences in Podgorica, the project is now implemented in Herceg Novi", says Jaha.
"The situation of the Roma community was not revolutionary improved in comparison to the 8 April last year, but comparing the current status of Roma with those before some 5 or 10 years - progress is quite visible", says our source.
"Progress is particularly evident in the sphere of education. For example, today we have 1,600 pupils in elementary schools, which is three times more than 10 years ago when the Decade was launched. There are 69 students in high schools and 17 at college, which is not enough, and we strive to increase this number. Of course, we strive to provide them with scholarships and mentors", says Jaha.
The problems faced by Roma, especially Roma in Herceg Novi, are in area of housing. Roma families living in Šištet are for many years face with possible eviction.
"Currently, there are no solutions and all we can do now is to fight for these people and prevent their eviction until they are provided with adequate, alternative accommodation. We spoke with the leaders of local government, and our idea is that a municipality chooses a specific location where they will be placed and wherea the international community would provide funds for construction of dwellings, as it was case before in Herceg Novi. This is an example of good practice and we will try to apply it for Roma in Šištetu", concluded Jaha.
