Strasbourg, 16 May 2014CAHROM (2014)7 rev
AD HOC COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS ON ROMA ISSUES
(CAHROM)
PROPOSALS FOR THEMATIC GROUPS FOR 2014-2015
Each CAHROM thematic group is traditionally composed of one requesting and of usually three to four partner countries. As recalled by the CAHROM Bureau, countries that have not participated yet in thematic groups will be given priority (see the list of past thematic groups on page 4). In case there are too many countries proposed for the same topic, the CAHROM Bureau will decide about the size and composition of each thematic group.
As a reminder, a requesting country is a country interested to learn more from the proposed topic (e.g. a new legislation or policy addressing this topic is under preparation; the topic is already addressed but does not bring sufficient results so far; this is a new area to be developed under the national strategy/action plan for Roma, etc.).
A partner country has some experience to offer in this particular area or has learnt some lessons from previous experience addressing this topic.
Requesting countries are supposed to host a 2.5 day visit of partner countries’ experts. Therefore, requesting countries are kindly requested to indicate as far as possible the proposed month for organising the thematic visit. At least five thematic visits are expected to take place annually and at least four thematic reports are expected to be endorsed per year.
The Council of Europe budget covers the travel and subsistence costs of the partner countries’ experts participating in the thematic visit. The hosting country shall provide a venue, local transportation to field visits if needed, and, where applicable, interpretation in the national language.
CAHROM thematic working methods are described in document CAHROM (2011)15. Additional guidelines for thematic groups and visits were adopted by the CAHROM in 2013. See both documents below:
All thematic reports already endorsed by the CAHROM are accessible at: http://hub.coe.int/web/coe-portal/cahrom1.
For further information, please contact CAHROM Secretary: [email protected].
LIST OF CURRENT PROPOSALS FOR CAHROM THEMATIC GROUPS FOR 2014-2015
|
Accepted and/or proposed topics
|
Requesting countries (hosting a thematic visit) |
Partner countries |
Comments of the CAHROM Secretariat following the 7th CAHROM plenary meeting
|
|
Thematic group on solving legal status of Roma from ex-Yugoslavia and their lack of identity/personal documents |
(Rome, 28-30 April 2014) |
|
This thematic visit was organised by the Ministry of Interior of Italy with five partner countries. An oral summary of the main conclusions and lessons learnt from the thematic visit were on the agenda of the 7th CAHROM plenary meeting (Strasbourg, 14-16 May 2014). The report will be presented for endorsement by the CAHROM at its 8th meeting in Sarajevo on 28-31 October 2014. |
|
Thematic group on the empowerment of Roma women and gender dimension of Roma policies |
(Vilnius, Šiauliai and Panevėžys, 4-6 June 2014) |
|
This proposal was received from Lithuania (as a requesting country) early 2014. The dates of 4-6 June 2013 are confirmed. The four partner countries have nominated their expert. The official invitation letter and the draft agenda were received. The report will be presented for endorsement by the CAHROM at its 8th meeting in Sarajevo on 28-31 October 2014. |
|
Thematic group on the empowerment of Roma youth and youth dimension of Roma policies
|
(Ljubljana, early/mid-September 2014) |
+ CAHROM member of the Republic of Moldova as CAHROM youth Rapporteur |
Slovenia proposed to be a requesting country for this thematic group. Croatia which put Roma youth as one of the priorities of its Decade presidency and Luxembourg as regards mainstream experience on youth both indicated their interest to be partners. Belgium has been contacted since Flanders is currently conducting a survey on youth participation and since the Belgian chairmanship of the CoE will organise a conference on (Roma) youth in November 2014, as well as the Slovak Republic which organised a Roma youth seminar last year. The CAHROM member of the Republic of Moldova could join in addition as CAHROM youth rapporteur provided his position as CAHROM member is confirmed. |
|
Thematic group on the use, protection and teaching of the Romani language |
(Zagreb, 24-26 September 2014)
|
|
The dates of 24-26 September 2014 are confirmed. Austria, Romania and Slovakia have appointed their experts. Montenegro shall still do so. The report could be endorsed by the CAHROM at its 8th meeting in Sarajevo on 28-31 October 2014 if finalised on time – or alternatively just an oral presentation of the main conclusions will be made in October 2014 and a formal presentation of the report in Spring 2015. As regards other countries that have expressed interest for the topic, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Germany, Poland and possibly Italy, there are two options: either another thematic group is set up in 2015; or these countries contribute to the autumn 2014 report by responding to the questionnaire. Their replies would appear as an addendum to the report. |
|
Thematic group on pre-school/early childhood education of Roma children |
(Prague, November 2014 – exact dates to be confirmed)
|
|
The Czech CAHROM member confirmed at the 7th CAHROM meeting that the Czech Republic can be requesting country and host a thematic visit (probably in November 2014). Confirmed partner countries include Latvia, Poland and “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia’”. Hungary’s participation as partner country is to be confirmed. The report will be presented at the 9th CAHROM meeting in Strasbourg in Spring 2015. |
|
Thematic group on access to education and distance learning for Traveller children and on validation of professional skills for Travellers with no diploma to facilitate their access to the labour market |
(January or February 2015) |
|
At the 7th CAHROM meeting, France (as hosting country) and Switzerland (as partner country) have decided to set up a thematic group on access to education and distance learning for Traveller children. This topic could be combined with the validation of professional skills to facilitate access to the labour market for Travellers without diploma. Norway and the United Kingdom will confirm at a later stage whether they would join this thematic group as partner countries. Belgium and Ireland will be contacted by the Secretariat to check if they would like to be partner countries. |
|
Thematic group on vocational training/education |
(Spring 2015) |
|
Poland can be requesting country in Spring 2015. No partner countries have been identified yet. At previous CAHROM meetings, some countries seemed to be interested by the topic including Finland, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Slovak Republic and Turkey. Portugal will be also approached by the Secretariat. None of these countries have confirmed yet their interest to be partner countries. |
|
Thematic report on Roma-related issues in relation to trafficking of human beings
|
(Spring 2015) |
|
This is a new proposal put forward at the 7th CAHROM meeting by Albania (as requesting country). No partner countries have been identified yet. |
|
Thematic group on early and/or forced marriages within Roma communities |
(Spring 2015) |
|
This is a new proposal put forward at the 7th CAHROM meeting by Romania (as requesting country). Poland expressed interest to be partner country. At least two other partner countries need to be proposed. |
|
Thematic group on the empowerment and participation of Roma in advisory bodies and/or decision-making processes, including of Roma women and youth |
(2015 – to be confirmed)
|
NB. Belgium and Sweden (interested to be partners but not in 2014) |
It could be set up in 2015 if there is a requesting country. Since there are many proposed partner countries, it might be preferable to have two groups. |
|
Thematic group on fostering health provision and access to health care, in particular for Roma women and children |
(2015 – to be confirmed)
|
|
Bulgaria and Poland confirmed their interest to be partner countries for a thematic group on health. Romania and Serbia could be partner countries on health mediators but have not replied yet. Austria, Germany could maybe share experience in health insurance. Italy might be also interested by the health topic. The focus of this thematic group needs to be defined and will be the subject of a discussion at the 8th CAHROM meeting. |
|
Thematic group on gender based violence towards Roma women |
(2015 – to be confirmed)
|
|
This is a new proposal put forward at the 7th CAHROM meeting by the Republic of Moldova. It has to be further discussed at one of the next CAHROM meetings. |
|
Thematic group on Roma mediation |
(2015 – to be confirmed)
|
|
Portugal has proposed to set up such a thematic group and to be partner country. This exchange of experience on mediation could take place under the ROMED2 joint programme. This should be further discussed with ROMED colleagues and the EC pending confirmation of a requesting country and additional partner countries. |
|
Thematic group on challenges regarding the implementation of National Roma Integration Strategies |
(2015 – to be confirmed) |
|
Portugal has proposed to set up such a thematic group and to be partner country. This exchange of experience could take place under the RNCP framework, should all interested countries be EU member states. This should be further discussed with the European Commission DG Justice pending confirmation of a requesting country and additional partner countries. |
|
Thematic group on linking anti-poverty and Roma policies through an integrated approach |
To be addressed at the 8th CAHROM meeting, Sarajevo, 28-31 October 2014
|
The Bureau decided that this topic supported by Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Italy and the Netherlands will be addressed during one of the next CAHROM plenary meetings, probably in the autumn 2014. Italy will introduce the topic. |
LIST OF PAST THEMATIC GROUPS AND VISITS (2012-2013)[1]
|
Accepted topics
|
Requesting countries (that hosted a thematic visit) |
Partner countries |
Dates and venues of thematic visits |
Status and endorsement date of CAHROM thematic reports |
|
Thematic group on school drop-out and absenteeism of Roma children |
|
|
Nieuwegein, Veldoven (the Netherlands) 12-14 March 2012 |
CAHROM (2012)6 endorsed by the CAHROM at its 3rd meeting on 23 May 2012. |
|
Thematic group on the role of central, regional and local authorities in implementing national Roma inclusion strategies |
|
|
Chişinău (Republic of Moldova) 21-23 March 2012 |
CAHROM (2012)7 endorsed by the CAHROM at its 3rd meeting on 23 May 2012. |
|
Thematic group on social housing for Roma |
|
|
Skopje (“the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”) 3-5 April 2012 |
CAHROM (2012)8 endorsed by the CAHROM at its 4th meeting on 28 November 2012. |
|
Thematic group on inclusive education of Roma children as opposed to special schools |
|
|
Prague (Czech Republic) Košice, Spišský Hrhov, and Spišská Nová Ves (Slovak Republic) 1-5 October 2012 |
CAHROM (2012)18 endorsed by the CAHROM at its 4th meeting on 29 November 2012. |
|
Thematic group on school attendance of Roma children, girls in particular |
|
|
Helsinki (Finland) 24-26 October 2012 |
CAHROM (2013)5 endorsed by the CAHROM at its 5th meeting on 15 May 2013. |
|
Thematic group on encampment areas and other issues relating to Travellers |
|
|
Brussels, Ghent, Namur (Belgium) 20-22 February 2013 |
CAHROM (2013)6 endorsed by the CAHROM at its 5th meeting on 14 May 2013. |
|
Thematic group on social housing for Roma and legalisation of Roma settlements/houses |
|
|
Tirana (Albania) 15-17 April 2013 |
CAHROM (2013)18 endorsed by the CAHROM at its 6th meeting on 29 October 2013. |
|
Thematic group on combating anti-Gypsyism, hate speech and hate crime against Roma |
|
|
Budapest, Ózd, Miskolc (Hungary) 4-6 September 2013 |
CAHROM (2013) 21 endorsed by the CAHROM through written procedure in December 2013. |
|
Thematic group on legalisation of informal settlements, re-housing solutions and alternative measures to (forced) evictions |
|
|
Belgrade (Serbia) 18-20 November 2013 |
CAHROM (2013)30 endorsed by the CAHROM through written procedure in May 2014. |
[1] All thematic reports already endorsed by the CAHROM are accessible at: http://hub.coe.int/web/coe-portal/cahrom1.