GENERAL REPORT ON THE SUMMIT OF MAYORS ON ROMA
22 septembre 2011
By José Manuel Fresno García, President of the Council for the Promotion of Equal Treatment and Against Discrimination, Spain, General Rapporteur
CONTEXT AND FRAMEWORK
Dear participants – my aim with this general report is not to give a detailed blow by blow account of the summit – we will all receive a copy of the proceedings - but rather to give a brief synthetic overview of what we have learnt, what messages we can take home, what are the key elements that need to be taken into consideration for future, effective action.
Firstly, I would like to say how much I welcomethe initiative to hold this Summit of Mayors at this very opportune time and how much I have appreciated today’s positive and constructive atmosphere.
Objectives
As you know, the objectives of this Summit were to examine obstacles to Roma inclusion at local and regional level, to identify ways to overcome these obstacles and to foster mutual cooperation among cities and regions as well as other stakeholders and, of course, to build mutual trust and enhance dialogue at grass-roots level; this Summit has proven the best space for sharing and learning from experiences (good or bad), deepening our knowledge-base, increasing the commitments made by key stake-holders, joining forces and pooling our resources, launching new activities and action and making important contacts. The Summit has also been an ideal launching pad for concrete future action through the commitment made by key stakeholders to join forces and create a framework for future cooperation.
Why are we focusing on the local and regional level?
At the moment there are numerous national and international policies, it is true, however we need to redirect the focus more clearly and specifically to the grass-roots level. So, again, why a Summit of Mayors and local/regional elected representatives? Because they are not only at the frontline for facing problems and solving them, they also have a moral responsibility to act on behalf of all their citizens and, very importantly, to act as an example for their constituents and other elected representatives. This means – and this came clearly out of our discussions here today - zero tolerance for hate speech and discriminatory remarks, in particular in political discourse.
The issues
During the Summit we have discussed the persistent exclusion and increasing discrimination of Roma in local and regional communities across Europe; we have heard various speakers underline how it is widespread across the whole of Europe and, to a different extent, concerns all countries and most municipalities.
We have also heard a recapitulation of the causes and sheer dimension of the exclusion and discrimination suffered: The fact that most Roma continue to be marginalised and lack access to proper education, housing, healthcare and employment; how Roma rights are diminishing while prejudice, stereotypes and discrimination, including violence and hate are regrettably on the rise; the almost complete lack of active participation (civic participation) of Roma in the wider community.
As I have mentioned before, this situation is worsening, and the financial crisis, with its knock-on effect on the most vulnerable groups, is considerably aggravating the situation which is why now, more than ever, it needs to be urgently addressed.
Many local and regional elected representatives are confronted on a daily basis with problems related to the issues of physical segregation, managing interethnic conflicts, lack of access to public services and the kind of problems that are difficult to solve especially given the often prevailing background of public hostility and negative perceptions.
The current situation can be seen in different ways – is the glass half-empty or half- full?
CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE GENERAL DEBATE
Rights, duties, responsibilities
It is important to recall, as speakers have done today, the fact that human rights are legally guaranteed to everyone in Europe, including Roma, under the European Convention on Human Rights and the European Social Charter.
Local and regional governments are responsible for protecting the rights and fostering the well-being of all who live in our communities irrespective of their ethnic origin and personal circumstances and for guaranteeing equal access to public services.
Governance must be for all citizens and policies must be designed to seek the common interest and be in favour of all citizens equally while at the same time seeking to redress the disadvantages and drawbacks suffered by those less fortunate, including Roma.
While Roma rights as equal citizens must undoubtedly be guaranteed and promoted by territorial authorities, the Roma themselves must also shoulder the corresponding responsibilities and duties as that fall to them as citizens.
The way forward: a change of attitude and direction
We have heard that a change of mentality and approach is needed in order to move forward in this respect (both with regard to the general public and public servants – as well as the Roma themselves).
The starting point must be, firstly, a firm belief that we can change the situation which means a positive attitude and positive expectations are needed; secondly, approaching Roma as citizens in their own right – not as a problem or challenge and thirdly awareness-raising between all actors concerned, general public, media and also the Roma themselves.
A gap that needs to be bridged: national policies/local implementation
There is a gap between national policies and strategies adopted at national level and their practical implementation at grass-roots level and there is a risk that this gap may increase. Today’s Summit has shown that bridging this gap requires:
o Involving the local/regional level from the beginning of the policy-making process and recognising their expertise and experience;
o Building local and regional capacities;
o Giving adequate means and support to the local level, including financial resources;
o Underlining the message that local actors are key but they need the support of the national level, and, last but not least,
o Ensuring that all actors and stakeholders in Roma inclusion join forces.
Furthermore, today’s Summit has emphasised the many positive experiences that have been undertaken at local level and which are giving concrete and transferable results in many different areas ranging from Roma participation bodies at regional level to eradication of insalubrious settlements and concomitant provision of decent housing.
There are, of course, many other excellent initiatives that we haven’t heard about today and that are giving positive results. These initiatives deserve to be widely known and disseminated. The Council of Europe database of policies and good practices that is being set up by the Special Representative of the Council of Europe Secretary General for Roma Issues will be an excellent tool for this.
Achieving results
Experiences shared by participants today have shown that several conditions are required for an initiative to succeed or achieve good, effective results. These are:
o political commitment;
o a long term approach;
o a multi-dimensional, results-oriented and integrated approach;
o adequate support ;
o the mainstreaming of Roma issues into public policies while, in parallel compensating disadvantages by drawing up specific measures where required (explicit but not exclusive policies at local/regional level), and
o active Roma involvement at the local level – in particular that of Roma women (a priority) who should be empowered, as well as the employment of mediators (crucial).
CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE WORKSHOPS
I won’t repeat the reports from our three workshops as our three rapporteurs have done an excellent job, but will simply highlight key messages I have taken from each one:
Equal rights to education
KEY MESSAGE: Education must be given the highest priority. It is key to helping foster generational change, and is the best tool for future progress: almost 50% of Roma are under 25 years of age.
We must get rid of existing barriers to access to education such as excessive administrative requirements or lack of documentation. Local and regional authorities should ensure that all Roma children in their municipality are registered at birth and provided with identity documents.
Special schools for disadvantaged people or Roma condemn these people to segregation from early on in their life. It is imperative to end segregation.
Fighting prejudice and managing diversity
KEY MESSAGE: Local and regional authorities must protect the rights of their citizens and prevent them from being discriminated against. Fighting prejudice and stereotypes does not require funding alone: it requires awareness-raising and trust-building measures and dialogue between Roma and non-Roma
We have seen that the local environment’s receptiveness is crucial for the success of policy measures, including the fight against racism and discrimination. Local openness can be demonstrated with a few positive initiatives such as bringing together communities through cultural or sporting activities and intercultural activities or the active participation of Roma in the democratic and decision-making process. Better local receptiveness is also shown by public services that are clearly accessible to all.
Local and regional authorities must furthermore not only ensure that they communicate in a positive fashion about Roma, but take to heart their responsibility as role models and firmly and without ambiguity denouncehate speech and derogatory remarks wherever they encounter them.
Equal access to housing, healthcare and employment
KEY MESSAGE: The real challenge is to have, at local level, public services that are inclusive and flexible and thus adapted to different population groups including, but not specific, to Roma
Housing:
It is essential to ensure that Roma are placed on the registers of inhabitants when they wish to settle permanently or temporarily and regularise their situation to facilitate their access to water, electricity and basic services.
Segregated housing policies merely perpetuate discrimination and marginalisation. In some cases the cultural or family conditions of some groups must be taken into account and will require adapted solutions.
Healthcare:
We understand that there is a social determination of inequality on health which is clearly related to housing and living conditions.
Undertaking preventive measures and supporting equal access to health services is essential not only to avoid aggravating existing ill-health but also to create healthy habits.
Employment:
It is imperative for local and regional authorities to implement vocational training programmes and implement measures to support and facilitate access to employment while removing barriers and obstacles Roma may face such as capacity or discrimination,
It is equally important to remove obstacles to the exercise of traditional Roma trades and to promote trades among majority population. If it is not economically viable to continue with traditional trades, authorities should work with Roma to find alternatives and offer loans to help them set up their own businesses and/or propose local tax benefits/exemption.
FINANCING
KEY MESSAGE: It is essential to learn to use the financial resources already to hand, in a different, more pragmatic and targeted way
Speakers have stressed that lack of funding or resources is often used as an excuse for not doing more.
Impact should be understood to be a long-term objective because often we are dealing with a generational change. However, it is important to accept and demonstrate that there is progress, however slow it may be, and that this is a worthwhile investment. For this reason data collection and monitoring, enabling quantitative assessment and policy adaptation is essential.
Speakers highlighted the importance of capacity building of local and regional authorities with regard to applications for funding. They also stressed the importance of equitable redistribution of such funding from the national to the local/regional level.
While the problem may sometimes be a lack of funds, equally it may sometimes be a problem of knowing how to make use of available money (e.g. Structural Funds). Sometimes it may be a question of investing existing budgets in another way (mainstreaming).
STEPS FORWARD AND CHALLENGES
KEY MESSAGE: It is time to move from policies to practices and to draw up policies from the practical experience on the ground at grassroots level. National and European policy makers must listen to the voice of experience at local level and take advantage of the wealth of experience that exists. The local level itself must be more proactive.
Today’s Summit has underlined the need to continue strengthening links and cooperation between the international institutions.
We have witnessed several steps forward.
Firstly, participants have asked that the Council of Europe and its local and regional organ, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities together with the Special Representative of the Council of Europe Secretary General for Roma Issues increase their active support of municipalities in their goal and task of Roma inclusion. Several cities (and regions) have already expressed their willingness to work together, join forces and exchange experiences and support and act as a core group around which an alliance of cities and regions working for Roma inclusion can grow in an open and inclusive process.
Secondly, we have heard from its representatives that the Council of Europe and its Congress stands ready to respond to this request and to support a European Alliance of Cities and Regions for Roma Inclusion, to be set up as a framework for co-operation, the sharing of good practices, strengthening of local and regional capacities for action, identifying of specific problems and proposing of solutions, and helping to ensure funding for Roma activities at the grassroots level.
This practical initiative of cooperation between municipalities and regions in Europe will build on the foundation of this Summit and guarantee sustained practical results from it. There is currently a positive context with a number of good initiatives and political will at international and national level – the question can therefore be asked: what can the proposed Alliance add? What is its added value?
The added value of the proposed Alliance will be that it is not an attempt to create a new structure in an area where there is already a patchwork of existing initiatives – but rather to provide an interactive link between all those initiatives both at local and national level. This is because it will make it possible to focus these initiatives on the gravest challenges that municipalities currently face, ensure a real participation of the local and regional level and help to build trust at grass-roots level, all of which are essential in order to move forward.
The Alliance can create a synergy between the different levels of governance and fill the gap between national policies and local practices and give relevance to the local level in the national strategies.
CONCLUDING REMARKS
Despite the existing diversity on the ground in Europe, different histories, different social circumstances, experience has shown that certain approaches and action criteria are valid and common to all and bring about sustainable, transferable results.
The reiterated hope and conviction of the Summit’s participants has been that this should not be a one-off event, but rather the first step on the path to achieving the Summit’s stated objectives. The Final Declaration is very clear: the process has begun and we have the necessary political will, combined experience and momentum to back up the blue-print for future action decided upon today.
I would like to end by repeating the words we have often heard during this Summit as a sort of leitmotiv: mediation, participation, cooperation, responsibility, empowerment, rights and opportunities.