Roma convene for first international symposium

Ankara hosted the First International Roma Symposium on Thursday in an event bringing together Roma community members from Turkey and other countries.

The symposium was a culmination of the There is No Other project, a European Union-funded project that started a year ago to raise awareness of the economic, cultural and social conditions the Roma community live in.

Activists, representatives of Roma nongovernmental organizations, lawmakers, European Union representatives, academics and other dignitaries attended the symposium, which focused on the problems the community face, especially in terms of discrimination.

Among the issues discussed were access to education, accommodation and employment, the most prevalent challenges for the community that has been marginalized for centuries and pushed to live on the fringes of society.

Although the public's view of the Roma community, which has faced racial prejudices associating them with rampant involvement in crime, has profoundly changed in this century, a mindset of discrimination still remains in place. Most Romanis complain of discrimination at schools and employment, forcing them to isolate themselves from the rest of society. With few prospects for better jobs, most are forced to make a living either by collecting junk and garbage or working in low-paying jobs, with children forced to work at an early age due to economic hardships.

The symposium also marks the fifth anniversary of the Strasbourg Declaration, a call by the Council of Europe for international commitment in resolving problems such as racism, discrimination toward Romanis and helping them with more social inclusion and solving their economic problems.

To end the prejudice toward Romanis and help improve their lives, the government announced an action plan a few years ago, which is expected to be implemented gradually. Under the plan, the government will provide vocational training for 5,000 Romanis initially to help their chances of employment. Municipalities will provide incentives for Roma craftsmen to open shops. Another step to help Romanis is providing them with temporary employment at municipalities, schools and public institutions. Municipalities will also set up Roma Consultation Committees in cities where they live. The committees, which will be composed of local officials and representatives of the Roma community, will monitor the implementation of affirmative action measures for the community.

The government will also provide education opportunities for Romani children attending grade and high schools to boost their achievements through special training courses. Free courses for preparation to university entrance exams will be offered to disadvantaged Romani students.

The Family and Social Policies Ministry has set aside a generous budget of TL 31.3 million ($12 million) for social support projects geared towards Turkey's Roma community for 2014-2016.