ERIO at Anti-discrimination workshop in Helsinki

                               ERIO'S WEEKLY E-NEWS 09-12-2014

ERIO NEWS AND ACTIVITIES

* ERIO at  Anti-discrimination workshop in Helsinki

ERIO director Ivan Ivanov attended the workshop  Breaking Barriers : Recognising and tackling discrimination contributes to better inclusion of the Roma.
The workshop Breaking the Barriers aimed at raising awareness on effects of discrimination on inclusion of the Roma. Best practices of activities that enhance both equality and inclusion was presented in the workshop organised  on December 2-3 in Helsinki, Finland.
Finnish Minister of Health and Social Services Susanna Huovinen opened the workshop by stating that it’s a pleasure to see participants from so many different countries and institutions.

“Roma are the largest ethnic minority in Europe, but their deplorable status remains one of the most serious human rights issues across the continent”, she reminded the audience. Minister Huovinen highlighted that the measures aimed at promoting the socio-economic welfare of the Roma must incorporate a strong anti-discrimination message at all levels.

Anti-Roma tendency in Europe is a ticking bomb

“Despite the commitments undertaken and the resources committed, the situation of Roma has improved little, if at all, in recent years”, Mr Ivan Ivanov said. Of particular importance is the failure of many, and in many cases well-funded, initiatives to take account of the underlying systemic discrimination which is at the root of much of the economic, social, and cultural poverty and exclusion experienced by Roma.

“Improving housing or education or access to health care without addressing issues of segregation will bring only short-term improvements at best.” According to Mr Ivanov desegregation measures have to be taken in all areas in which Roma today experience segregation, most notably in housing and education.

In many EU countries Roma are physically cut off from the rest of the population, he mentioned: “At present, according to different reports Anti-Roma rhetoric and attitudes pervades all segments of European societies across the region. This is a ticking bomb.“

Mr Ivanov also reminded that any strategy aimed at securing the equal treatment of Roma today, needs not only to address present conditions, but also to seek to remedy the impact of past discrimination.

http://erionet.eu/weekly-news-09122014#erionewsandactivities