Thank You, ...?! [ERGO Network]

Thank you....?! Partnering for Roma inclusion

Life for Roma may change whenever governments adopt policies and programmes to promote social inclusion and equal opportunities. But does it?

Roma themselves play a key role in ensuring that commitments translate into results – if they can express their common voice and share the responsibility to find solutions. The international campaign “Thank you ….?! Partnering for Roma inclusion” wants to boost the visibility of Roma as citizens of their societies – with equal rights and duties – and draw attention to the role of grassroots organizations as watchdogs and partners for policy implementation.

The campaign explores combinations of policy monitoring – at community level - targeted advocacy and the mobilization of citizens, Roma and non-Roma, to make cities and towns a better place for all.

The “Thank You … ?!”-campaign is an initiative of ERGO Network and its member organizations in Albania, Bulgaria, Moldova, Serbia and Turkey. From October 2010 they take a close look at the state of affairs in their own countries and act together to improve the results of Roma Inclusion policies.

Why?

A wide variety of policies to combat the socio-economic exclusion of Roma have been put in place. But all too often implementation stagnates, not least at local level. Due to a lack of understanding, money or political will, measures remain stuck on the drawing board.
Stronger bottom-up involvement is a crucial factor to change this. Grassroots Roma groups monitor the implementation and impact of policies, which empowers them to define their own priorities and strengthens their position to call on authorities to fullfil their responsibilities towards Roma as citizens.
This campaign targets local, regional and national policy makers to treat Roma as equal citizens and carry out the commitments they agreed to. Thank you ....?!

More info? View the flyer:

Or download it here.

RAA (Albania): Thank you, Mr Mayor!

What if mayors take such different approaches to address Roma issues in their cities – one active, one reluctant? Roma Active Albania (RAA) campaigns for “Local Partnership for Roma Inclusion” and encourages municipalities to look at each other’s approaches and results.

Integro (Bulgaria): Thank you, Mayor!

Many people in Bulgaria take for granted that Roma integration is bound to fail. Even Roma themselves have come to believe this. Integro wants to challenge this idea with message “Roma – Fellow-citizens with untapped potential”.

Tarna Rom (Moldova): Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister!

Although many more Roma than officially recognised live in Moldova, the issue of Roma exclusion is largely absent from the political agenda. The Moldovan Coalition of Roma Voices, in which Tarna Rom plays a central role, will produce a short film to portray the contrast between official reports and the reality of Roma life in Moldova.

Democratic Union of Roma (Serbia): Thank you ... Decade Parade

The Decade of Roma Inclusion 2005 – 2015 is halfway. DUR compares the Decade Action Plan, adopted by the government, and the Decade Watch reports with the actual situation of families in seven municipalities across Serbia. Do they know of the Decade and has it made any difference to their lives?

EDROM (Turkey): Thank you, Mr. Governor!

In December 2009 the Turkish government took the initiative to improve the situation of Roma. EDROM and its partners in the Thrakya Network closely monitor the government’s plans and promises in their communities.

“Thank you…?! Partnering for Roma Inclusion” is part of the ERGO campaign “REACT – Make Europe an Equal Place for Roma”.

QUICK LINKS. .









Join the campaign! ..