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Social Agenda dedicates its issue nº24 to "Promoting Roma inclusion: the way forward"

Social Agenda, the European Commission's magazine on employment and social affairs, in its issue 24 (July 2010) dedicates the core of the publication to the Roma inclusion. Different perspectives (socioeconomic, institutional, political, etc.) are presented in the special feature of this magazine.

Roma-related issues take on board on the European Agenda

As it is mentioned in the editorial of the magazine Social Agenda, the EU in particular constituted a crucial vector for placing the Roma on administrations' political agenda, and demonstrated a willingness to take leadership in addressing problems specific to the Roma. However, even if transformations in the political, institutional an economic fields have brought about a qualitative leap in the social inclusion of Roma an the reduction of the inequalities affecting them, their situation is characterised by persistent discrimination and social exclusion.

A close look at EU action promoting Roma inclusion is presented in several articles about the second Roma summit, the Commission contributions to the social and economic integration of the Roma or the role of the Structural Funds as one of the financial instruments available to fund activities promoting Roma inclusion.

In the core section of this magazine, "Special features", it is highlighted that the problem of Roma inclusion is complex and requires a holistic approach that takes into account jointly the various areas where Roma inclusion is at stake. One article offers the main inptus from the Commission to the Second European Roma Summit (hold on 7th April 2010 in Cordoba, Spain): the "Communication on the social and economic integration of Roma in Europe" and the "Commission Staff Working Document on the implementation of the EU instruments and policies for Roma inclusion 2008-2010" describing, as well, the relevant aspects of the Summit where Vice-President Viviane Reading explained that for the Commission Roma inclusion remains a priority at EU level and this means "looking specifically at the relevant EU legislation and funds and at our role as coordinator of national policy and facilitator of policy dialogue".

Onother article stresses the mid-term programme included in the first policy Communication specifically devoted to the Roma, called "The social and economic integration of the Roma in Europe". Mobilising the structural funds, taking Roma issues into account in all relevant policy areas, supporting a stronger and more effective coordination and concentration of forces among and within stakeholders and developing model policy approaches to support Roma inclusion are some of the main priorities for action.

In the article dedicated to the ESF and the Roma one of the conclusion is that even if the data remains scant there are clear indications that a significantly higher proportion of activities target Roma, directly or as a part of vulnerable groups, in the current programming period compared to the 2000-2006 period. In almost all EU countries the ESF-supported approach to social inclusion of vulnerable groups focuses mainly on employment (Acceder programme in Spain is mentioned as an example).

In the last part of other voices the contribution is made by Ivan Ivanov, director of the European Roma Information Office, who stated that real acceptance of Roma as equal participants in society is still a long way off.

Documents

Social Agenda issue nº24 July 2010