Roma Youth Advocacy Seminar 2017 in Brussels

Join us in Brussels to learn about European policy-making and civil society advocacy, and to raise young voices in front of the European Parliament, European Commission and other stakeholders to combat antigypsyism and to advance important issues for Roma communities.

This six days lasting seminar (March 23 to 30, 2017, including travel days) is organized by ternYpe International Roma Youth Network, ERGO Network and the Documentation and Cultural Centre & Central Council of German Sinti and Roma. It will gather 40 young Roma and non-Roma activists in order to strengthen their capacity as young advocates and leaders to tackle antigypsyism. During the seminar, the group will run a youth campaign against antigypsyism targeting EU level actors, like Members of the European Parliament and European Commission. The advocacy seminar is part of the “EU Roma Week” ahead of the 8 April – International Roma Day.  

 

 

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The seminar aims to strengthen the capacity of the participants to understand the structures and working mechanisms of the EU institutions, as well as the current EU policies concerning Roma and against racism, and to develop advocacy strategies and campaigns raising-awareness about antigypsyism on European level.

The objectives of the activity are to:

  • Get to know the European Union institutions and to understand their working mechanisms, and policies towards Roma, in particular of the European Parliament and European Commission;
  • Build a dialogue and bring a Roma youth perspective to DG Justice (responsible for Roma policies in the European Commission), to DG EAC (Education and Culture, includes the youth sector in the European Commission), as well as to Members of the European Parliament in particular of the ARDI Intergroup (Anti-Racism and Diversity Intergroup);
  • Learn about the work of the EU umbrella organizations and contribute to their work;
  • Raise awareness of the participants about antigypsyism, and the current anti-racism policies;
  • Raise awareness of the participants about the Brussels-based civil society structures and their strategies against antigypsyism and racism (in particular ERGO, ENAR (European Network against Racism) and the European Youth Forum);
  • Develop a youth campaign against antigypsyism and on Roma youth perspectives during the “Roma Week” of the European Parliament;
  • Raise awareness of Members of the European Parliament, European Commission staff and Brussels based advocates about the recognition of the Roma Holocaust and of antigypsyism, which was acknowledged in April 2015 by a European Parliament resolution. 

“EU Roma Week” in the European Parliament
Roma Week 2017 takes places from 27th March to 3rd April 2017 in the European Parliament in Brussels and Strasbourg to mark the occasion of the International Roma Day on 8 April 2017.  Roma Week 2016 resulted in the Slovak Presidency having two Council Conclusions on Roma with reference to the European Parliament’s 2015 resolution on antigypsyism and for the recognition of the Roma Genocide.

Objectives of “Roma Week”
Roma week 2017 is designed with the aim of bringing together Roma activists from the European Union to engage with key stakeholders in order to participate at the mid-term review of the EU Framework for the National Roma Integration Strategies and to engage in the advocacy strategy for EU Roma Policy post 2020. The objectives of Roma week will be mainstreamed into that strategy. Rather than having a Roma week geared towards public awareness, Roma week 2017 focuses on facilitating capacity building, networking and advocacy for Roma activists around five thematic areas: Antigypsyism, Employment, Monitoring, Youth and Women.  

PROFILE OF THE PARTICIPANTS
Present will be Roma and non-Roma youth leaders, activists, multipliers, and volunteers who are active in Roma communities and experienced in working with Roma communities and/or Roma youth.

Participants must also:

  • be able and committed to act as young advocates and multipliers in youth work on the themes of anti-discrimination, combating racism and antigypsyism and promotion of human rights with young Roma, for the benefit of Roma communities and Roma youth;
  • be motivated to develop their competences in advocacy, anti-discrimination work, human rights education and youth work and to share their experiences with other participants;
  • be actively committed and involved in a Roma (youth) initiative, advocacy group or organization;
  • be aged between 18 – 35 years;
  • be committed to attend for the full duration of the course;
  • be able to work in English, or check with the coordination that translation can be provided through other participants or team members;
  • be resident in one of the following countries: Belgium, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Macedonia 

DATES OF THE ACTIVITY
Arrival: March 23, 2017 (Thursday)
Program days: March 24 until March 29, 2017
Departure: March 30, 2017 (Thursday)

APPLICATION AND SELECTION
Complete Info Pack: download pdf
How to apply? Register in the online application form
Application deadline: February 26, 2017 (end of day)

Selection procedure: If you fit into the participants’ profile, you may submit an application until February 26 at midnight Central European Time. The preparatory team will select up the participants on the basis of the profile outlined above, ensuring also a balance between genders, geographical regions, different types of experiences and organizations. Within few days, we will inform the candidates whether their application has been accepted or rejected.

ANY QUESTIONS?
Contact person: Carmen Tanasie, e-mail: c.tanasie@ergonetwork.org

Post Blog category: 
Youth action