BiH to create Roma Information Centre
Reuters and AlertNet are not responsible for the content of this article or for any external internet sites. The views expressed are the author's alone.
A major grant has been awarded by the
US Department of State to create a Roma Information Center in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). This represents a significant step forward in advocacy and human rights for this needy minority group.
'Winning this grant is a successful conclusion to two years' hard work, with support from WVUS,' said Claudia Bade, Programs Director for World Vision BiH.
'Finally we have a unique instrument by which the Roma can progress and promote themselves. It will raise their status with the rest of the population and make it more desirable to partner with them. The Roma community is very grateful because they know we are their greatest supporters and will invite their full participation.'
The Roma Information Center will be established and owned by the Roma Council, a legal body. It will collect positive stories, promote cultural traditions and events, and provide information about the Roma strategy and how people can participate. The Center will open a web page, devise a business plan, publish a newsletter and feed stories to the public media.
Roma have traditionally had weaker government representation in BiH than elsewhere in the region, making the Information Center particularly necessary. This will help the country participate in the European Decade for Roma Inclusion, which fosters development and monitoring in four key areas of education, employment, housing and health.
Albert Panèiæ, who has been leading many of World Vision's ongoing projects in BiH, says, 'We understand the practicalities of working together with the Roma and can be flexible and creative. We are allies and advisors, supporting their efforts as equal partners in one process.
'We are not telling them what to do but listening to what matters to them, so they can find solutions for their problems. The most important thing is helping community groups achieve the same voice and contributing to their solidarity.'
'Now we've got a fully rounded, multi-sector program with the Roma,' said Sue Birchmore, National Director for WV BiH.
'It is a virtual Area Development Program but for a people group scattered all over the country. This is vital for the Roma because they are so marginalised and rarely get a positive mention in the media.'
In Visoko, Bosnia, Roma Association leader Osman Halilovic commented, 'Everyone will be involved in the Roma Information Center. It will educate people of all ages and we will get sto posto – 100 percent value.'
'Winning this grant is a successful conclusion to two years' hard work, with support from WVUS,' said Claudia Bade, Programs Director for World Vision BiH.
'Finally we have a unique instrument by which the Roma can progress and promote themselves. It will raise their status with the rest of the population and make it more desirable to partner with them. The Roma community is very grateful because they know we are their greatest supporters and will invite their full participation.'
The Roma Information Center will be established and owned by the Roma Council, a legal body. It will collect positive stories, promote cultural traditions and events, and provide information about the Roma strategy and how people can participate. The Center will open a web page, devise a business plan, publish a newsletter and feed stories to the public media.
Roma have traditionally had weaker government representation in BiH than elsewhere in the region, making the Information Center particularly necessary. This will help the country participate in the European Decade for Roma Inclusion, which fosters development and monitoring in four key areas of education, employment, housing and health.
Albert Panèiæ, who has been leading many of World Vision's ongoing projects in BiH, says, 'We understand the practicalities of working together with the Roma and can be flexible and creative. We are allies and advisors, supporting their efforts as equal partners in one process.
'We are not telling them what to do but listening to what matters to them, so they can find solutions for their problems. The most important thing is helping community groups achieve the same voice and contributing to their solidarity.'
'Now we've got a fully rounded, multi-sector program with the Roma,' said Sue Birchmore, National Director for WV BiH.
'It is a virtual Area Development Program but for a people group scattered all over the country. This is vital for the Roma because they are so marginalised and rarely get a positive mention in the media.'
In Visoko, Bosnia, Roma Association leader Osman Halilovic commented, 'Everyone will be involved in the Roma Information Center. It will educate people of all ages and we will get sto posto – 100 percent value.'
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]