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4th International Roma Women's Conference:

acting now for an equal future

September 16-17, 2013

hanasaari- the swedish –finnish cultural centre

Hanasaarenranta 5

Espoo, FINLAND

Note for the participants

Thank you for having accepted our invitation to the 4th International Roma Women’s Conference.  Kindly read the information and guidelines enclosed below.

Since 2003, the Roma Women’s conferences have provided the opportunity to Roma women to address on the international scene the issues affecting their lives and that of their families. It has most of all, provided a platform where Roma women could raise their concerns, give evidence by their testimony and raise awareness with governments. It has also been an opportunity for Roma women to keep each other informed and to exchange experiences. 

The lack of concrete steps by governments to advance the situation of Roma women through concrete measures has encouraged them to view the Council of Europe led women’s conference as a space where they themselves can define actions and plans that they can  advocate for with national governments and International Organisations or that they can lead and implement themselves. These concerns have been voiced in the preparatory meetings before the Helsinki conference and through the social networks of which Roma women are members.

The Helsinki conference should send a clear signal to governments that Roma women have policy proposals and could be the natural partners in the policy implementation process. The Council of Europe and the Finnish government facilitate the gathering of the Roma women but the Agenda is set and managed by the Roma women themselves.

This conference will host policy-oriented discussions in workshops focusing on major Roma women’s issues resulting from  the replies to the questionnaire and following the three perspectives agreed in the Bucharest preparatory meeting (3-4 October 2012). Another equally important aim is to strengthen the Roma women’s organisations networking between them and with other gender and equality organisations at the national and international level.

The short introduction to each workshop by a keynote speaker set the scene for Roma women to express their ideas, submit policy proposals and good practices, suggest concrete follow-up actions for Governments, International Organisations and Roma organisations. Main international stakeholders (CoE, EC, FRA, OSCE-ODIHR, UN,OSI ) will have the opportunity to draw on the discussions with participants to improve or modify policy initiatives.

Strategic document

As ultimate aim of the Conference, Roma women plan to agree on a strategic document on Roma Women policies containing recommendations for the main stakeholders: the Roma women themselves, Governments and International Organisations.

You are kindly requested to identify the workshop which best corresponds to your profile (expertise, working experience with the Roma community and authorities) in the registration form. Be prepared to actively contribute to the discussion and to the final Strategic document. If you have presentations for the workshops, please provide them in advance to the moderators.

Practical information

Deadlines

Please note that you should complete a compulsory online registration form by 7th September.

Session rooms

All sessions will take place at the Hanasaari – the Swedish-Finnish Cultural Centre.

Opening session, Closing session and one workshop will be held in auditorium room ASTRID. The other workshops meeting rooms are ALEKSIS and TAGE.

Onsite checklist

You can pick up your badge and conference material on Monday morning at the reception at the Hanasaari – the Swedish-Finnish Cultural Centre. Make sure you are at the plenary and workshop session room a few minutes before your session starts.

There will be an info desk at your service at the Conference venue throughout the conference.

Finland is a safe country. However, please take caution when you are in public places. Please note that you are not obliged to identify yourself to strangers. The receptionists at the hotel may ask you to provide your passport.

Other materials

Organisations may bring their brochures and material to the conference venue and distribute them to other attendees. There is room reserved for materials and space for posters at the venue.

Please note that the organisations themselves are responsible for providing and distributing their own materials. Please make sure the materials are up-to-date. 

Conference Centre opening hours:

The reception desk at the Hanasaari – the Swedish-Finnish Culture Centre is open for 24 hours.

Networking and social events

Over 100 of the most important players from the Roma policies sector will connect during the two days of the 4th Conference and its side events. In order to help facilitate networking, the conference organisers have scheduled regular coffee breaks, lunches, a dinner, and a special “Get together” evening at the Hanasaari Center.

On Monday evening an International Concert of Roma Music titled “Loolo Dzii” is arranged at the Savoy Theatre in Helsinki for conference attendees. Transportation is arranged for the attendees from the venue.

Accommodation

All Council of Europe facilitated participants will be lodged at the hotel in the Hanasaari – the Swedish-Finnish Culture Centre.

Some of the participants and observers will be lodged at the Holiday Inn Hotel near Hanasaari – the Swedish-Finnish Culture Centre. For these participants transport is arranged to the conference venue.

Contact

For further information

FINLAND:

Ms. Sarita Friman-Korpela

General Secretary

The National Advisory Board on Romani Affairs

Ministry of Social Affairs and Health

e-mail: [email protected]

tel. + 358 295 163 349

gsm + 358 50 553 5530

Ms. Hannele Varsa

General Secretary

The Council for Gender Equality

Ministry of Social Affairs and Health

e-mail: [email protected]

tel. + 358 295 163281

gsm. +358 50 545 3435

Ms. Leea Rautanen

Planning Officer

The National Advisory Board on Romani Affairs

Ministry of Social Affairs and Health

e-mail. [email protected]

tel. +358 295 163 598

gsm: +358 50 379 8908                 

COUNCIL OF EUROPE

Mrs Eleni Tsetsekou

Administrator

Support Team of the Special Representative of the Secretary General for Roma Issues

Council of Europe

e-mail: [email protected]

Tel: +33388412433

Ljiljana Stojisavljevic

Assistant

Support team of the Special Representative of the Secretary General for Roma Issues

Council of Europe

e-mail: [email protected]

Tel: +33 3 88 41 33 73

Fax: +33 3 90 21 40 53