Czechoslovak Roma Union at the 18th European Platform for Roma Inclusion in Brussels

The Czechoslovak Roma Union z.s., an organization based in Ústí nad Labem at Velká Hradební 322/53, which has been systematically and long-term engaged in social and educational work aimed at helping the Roma community and the majority society throughout the European Union, actively participated in the prestigious 18th European Platform for Roma Inclusion, which is internationally known under the acronym EPRI (European Platform for Roma Inclusion). This important international conference, which represents one of the most important meetings of experts, politicians, representatives of non-governmental organizations and activists dealing with Roma issues throughout Europe, was held in the Belgian capital of Brussels, which is also the seat of the most important institutions of the European Union.

The main theme of the platform and its focus
The central and key theme of this year’s platform, which connected all discussions, panel debates and workshops, was a comprehensive analysis entitled: “Learning and lessons learned after five years of implementation of the EU Roma Strategic Framework – progress achieved and remaining challenges.” This theme was not chosen randomly, but reflected the need for a thorough and critical assessment of the five-year period of implementation of strategic measures that the European Union has adopted to improve the living conditions of Roma communities across the Member States. The platform thus became a space for deep reflection on what has been achieved in the field of Roma integration over the past five years, what obstacles persist despite the efforts and financial resources expended, and above all, what concrete steps need to be taken in the coming years to ensure lasting and sustainable progress towards achieving real equality and comprehensive social justice for all members of Roma communities living in different corners of the European continent.

Evaluating the effectiveness of policies and identifying obstacles
The entire platform was structured to provide a space for a systematic and substantive evaluation of the effectiveness of existing European Union policies aimed at Roma inclusion over the past five years. The conference participants, who included representatives of individual EU Member States, representatives of Roma organisations from different countries, academics specialising in minority issues and social inclusion, as well as staff from European institutions, jointly analysed which of the implemented measures had brought measurable and positive results in the areas of education, employment, housing and healthcare, and which initiatives had, on the contrary, failed to meet expectations and had not led to the desired changes in the lives of Roma families and individuals.

An important part of the platform’s agenda was also a thorough identification of the persistent obstacles that continue to hinder the full integration of Roma into mainstream society. These barriers are often complex and include both structural discrimination rooted in institutions and systems, as well as deep-rooted prejudices and stereotypes present in the majority society, insufficient access to quality educational opportunities from pre-school age, segregation in housing leading to the emergence of socially excluded localities, limited access to the labour market and quality healthcare, as well as insufficient political representation of the Roma community at various levels of decision-making.

Strategy for future steps and long-term vision
The key output of the platform was to formulate a concrete strategy for future steps, which should ensure that the progress achieved in recent years is not just a temporary success, but becomes the basis for lasting and systemic changes aimed at achieving real equality and comprehensive social justice for all Roma communities in Europe. This strategy must take into account the specific needs of individual Member States, where the situation of Roma communities can vary considerably depending on the historical context, the economic situation of the country, the quality of social services and the extent of discriminatory attitudes in society.

The platform participants discussed the need to strengthen financial and methodological support for organizations working directly in the field with Roma communities, such as the Czechoslovak Roma Union, which, through its daily work in the field of community work, educational programs, tutoring for children, leisure activities and strengthening the self-confidence of socially excluded people, contributes to the practical fulfillment of the goals of the European Strategy for the Inclusion of the Roma. The need for greater coordination between the European, national, regional and local levels in the implementation of integration policies was also emphasized, in order to avoid duplication, waste of resources and to ensure maximum efficiency of the funds spent.

Speech by the Czech Commissioner for Roma Affairs
One of the most anticipated and most watched moments of the entire conference was the speech in the panel discussion, where Lucie Fuková, who holds the important position of Commissioner of the Czech Republic for Roma Affairs, introduced herself. Her presentation, which was dedicated to specific activities, projects and policies implemented in the Czech Republic in the field of Roma community integration, aroused an extraordinary response among all participants of the platform present. According to the assessment of the representatives of the Czechoslovak Roma Union, who had the opportunity to follow all the panel discussions and speeches of various speakers from across the European Union, Lucie Fuková was clearly the best and most outstanding speaker of the entire conference.

Her presentation stood out not only for its professional foundation and detailed knowledge of the issue, but also for its ability to communicate complex topics in a clear and convincing manner, which resonated with both the professional public and representatives of Roma organizations. In her speech, Lucie Fuková systematically presented the concrete steps that the Czech Republic is taking in various areas of Roma integration, including education, where the emphasis is on school desegregation and support for inclusive education, employment, where programs are implemented to support the entry of Roma into the labor market, housing, where the issue of socially excluded localities and the availability of quality housing is addressed, and healthcare, where projects are implemented aimed at improving the health of the Roma population and removing barriers to access to health services.

In her speech, she also spoke openly about the challenges and problems that the Czech Republic still faces in the area of ​​Roma integration, which was appreciated as a manifestation of honesty and a realistic approach to solving this complex issue. She mentioned persistent discrimination in various areas of life, segregation in the areas of education and housing, high unemployment in Roma communities, and insufficient political representation of Roma. At the same time, however, she presented specific strategies and action plans to gradually address these problems, and emphasized the importance of cooperation with Roma organizations, such as the Czechoslovak Roma Union, which have direct experience with the everyday needs and problems of Roma communities and are therefore an irreplaceable partner in the design and implementation of integration policies.

The importance of the participation of the Czechoslovak Roma Union
The participation of the representative of the Czechoslovak Roma Union in this prestigious European platform was of exceptional importance for the organization for several reasons. First of all, it provided a unique opportunity to establish contacts with other Roma organizations from various countries of the European Union, exchange experiences and best practices in the field of community work, educational programs and social support, and gain inspiration for the further development of the organization’s activities. At the same time, it enabled the representatives of the Czechoslovak Roma Union to present their own work and achievements achieved in the Czech Republic to an international audience, thus contributing to the exchange of know-how and the dissemination of effective methods of working with Roma communities.

The platform also provided a space for a deeper understanding of the European context of Roma issues, learning about the specifics of the situation in different member states, and realizing that although specific problems may differ in individual countries, the basic challenges associated with discrimination, social exclusion and lack of access to opportunities are common to Roma communities across Europe. This knowledge is key to formulating effective strategies and policies, which must be adapted to local conditions and specificities, but must also be based on the general principles of equality, non-discrimination and respect for human rights.

Connection with the mission and values ​​of the organization
Participation in the 18th European Platform for Roma Inclusion fully corresponded to the mission and values ​​of the Czechoslovak Roma Union, as defined in the organization’s statutes. In its daily work, the ČSRU is committed to supporting and strengthening the position of the Roma community through education, culture, social support and cooperation, with the aim of creating a just society where diversity is respected and every person has equal opportunities for development and self-realization. The organization strives to improve educational opportunities for children and adults, protect and promote Roma culture, provide social support to individuals and families in difficult life situations, actively combat discrimination and support cooperation between various communities, institutions and organizations in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

These values ​​and goals were the central theme of the discussions at the Brussels platform, where the discussion focused on how to practically implement European strategies and policies in a way that would have a real impact on the lives of specific people in Roma communities. Based on their rich practical experience from field work, the representatives of the Czechoslovak Roma Union were able to contribute to these discussions with the authentic voice of an organization that solves the specific problems of Roma families and individuals every day, whether it is assistance with handling social benefits, tutoring children, organizing leisure activities, retraining programs for the unemployed or community work aimed at strengthening cohesion and mutual understanding between the Roma and majority communities.

The importance of community work as a key tool
During the platform, the importance of community work as a key tool for the successful integration of Roma communities was repeatedly emphasized, which fully corresponds to the approach of the Czechoslovak Roma Union, which considers community work to be one of the most important pillars of its activities. Community work enables direct contact with people in their natural environment, building trust, which is a prerequisite for any effective assistance, identifying the real needs of the community, and involving community members themselves in solving problems that prevent them from fully integrating into society.

This approach, which is based on the principles of empowerment, participation and respect for the autonomy of individuals and communities, has proven to be much more effective than the traditional top-down approach, where solutions are proposed without a thorough knowledge of the local context and without the active involvement of those affected. In its work, the Czechoslovak Roma Union consistently applies the principle that people from socially excluded communities are not passive recipients of assistance, but active partners in the process of change, who have valuable knowledge, skills and experience that need to be used and developed.

Future perspectives and commitments
The participation in the 18th European Platform for Roma Inclusion in Brussels strengthened the determination of the Czechoslovak Roma Union to continue its work with even greater emphasis on the quality, efficiency and measurable results of the services provided and the programmes implemented. The organization is aware that the path to achieving real equality and social justice for Roma communities is long and arduous, full of obstacles and challenges that require patience, perseverance and continuous effort. At the same time, the platform has shown that when adequate resources, political will and effective cooperation between all relevant actors at European, national, regional and local levels are available, it is possible to achieve significant and lasting changes in people’s lives.

The Czechoslovak Roma Union is committed to continuing to be an active partner in the process of implementing the EU Roma Strategic Framework at national and local levels, to contribute its practical experience and field knowledge to the formulation of effective policies and programs, and above all, to continue its daily work with individuals, families and communities who need support on their path to full inclusion in society. The organization believes that through the joint work of all stakeholders – European institutions, national governments, local governments, NGOs, academia and the Roma communities themselves – it is possible to create a harmonious society based on respect, solidarity and mutual understanding, where every person, regardless of their ethnic origin, social status or place of residence, has equal opportunities for development, self-realization and a dignified life.