Western Balkans Decade of Roma Inclusion Conference in Skopje

The Roma Democratic Development Association in Skopje in cooperation with the Open Society Institute, Roma Initiatives Office in Budapest is organizing the Western Balkans Decade of Roma Inclusion Conference “Continuous Dialog among Actors and Challenges for Implementation”

The Roma Democratic Development Association in Skopje in cooperation with the Open Society Institute, Roma Initiatives Office in Budapest is organizing the Western Balkans Decade of Roma Inclusion Conference “Continuous Dialog among Actors and Challenges for Implementation”

The Conference takes place on 21-23 March 2007, in the Hotel Continental, Skopje Macedonia.
The WB Decade Conference, besides its contribution to the effective and efficient participatory process of the Decade of Roma Inclusion implementation in the area, is targeting to improve the dialog amongst actors involved in its affiliated countries, with particular focus on the participation of Roma NGO activists, politicians, and leaders, journalists etc. Goals of the Conference are to work out a common framework for further enhancement of Roma participation within the Decade processes, to enable discussion between Roma and state /international donor officials on the current mechanism for Roma involvement and mainstreaming of Roma issues. In addition, recommendations will be developed for the establishment of a comprehensive mechanism for the constructive participation of Roma in the processes.
Forty-two Roma participants, who are actively involved in cases of participating countries of the Decade of Roma Inclusion or in the dialog on Roma policies, leaders, experts, NGO activists, politicians, journalists and public administrators, are invited from the countries listed: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo*, Montenegro and Serbia. There are twelve state and at least fifteen international donor officials scheduled to participate as well. Participating donors must be actively involved in the Decade of Roma Inclusion or in the implementation of other Roma policies.  The will be held in English and Bosnian/Serbian /Croatian with simultaneous interpretation, Romanes is also optional.
Participating on the Conference is free of charge. The Roma Democratic Development Association, SONCE will cover the travel and accommodation expenses for Roma participants. State and international donor participants are expected to cover their own expenses.
Please note that detailed information on the event together with guidelines and registration forms will follow later.

For further information, please contact:

Alexandra Bojadzieva
programme@sonce.org.mk
Address: P.O.Box 159, 1200 Tetovo, Macedonia
Fax: +389 (0) 44 35 23 91
Phone: +389 (0) 44 35 23 90

 

*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.