Roma People in an Expanding Europe

Enlargement of the European Union brought attention to the Roma's plight and highlighted the challenges it poses to Europe as a whole. Now, for the first time the countries of Central and Eastern Europe are joining Roma leaders to tear down the barriers to Roma integration. This week (FEBRUARY 2) in Sofia, prime ministers from Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, FYR Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro, and Slovakia – in partnership with Roma civil society – are due to launch the Decade of Roma Inclusion.

A decade is not a long time to overcome centuries of marginalization or to change attitudes and behaviors towards what is Europe's largest and poorest minority. But each country has drawn up an action plan to with measurable goals to be achieved in four priority areas--education, employment, health, and housing.

The initiative, supported by, among others, the Open Society Institute and the World Bank, will monitor progress towards ending the severe discrimination and crippling poverty faced by Roma communities.

Roma, or Gypsies as they are commonly known, suffer discrimination regardless of whether laws are in force to protect them.

In some cases, Roma are ten times poorer than the majority population. A recent survey showed that nearly 80 percent of Roma in Bulgaria and Romania were living on less than $4 a day. On average, Roma live 10 to 15 years less than others.

This abject poverty is accompanied by appalling prejudice, whose seams run deep in society. Roma often live in ramshackle settlements, isolated and detested by the rest of the population. There are cases where employment adverts say 'Gypsies need not apply'. In others, hospitals have turned away Roma, refusing to treat them.

Education, in most societies a path to advancement, is often the opposite where Roma are concerned, perpetuating the cycle of poverty. Roma children are sent to separate schools for the disabled even when there is no evidence they have any handicap.

Against this background, where overt racism is socially acceptable, these countries have summoned the will to commit themselves to reform. The initiative demands courage. It will be painful. The governments must now reallocate resources to achieve results. They also need to align these plans with funding instruments of multinational, international, and bilateral donors. Until now, governments have often shrunk from tackling this issue, aware that it is politically unpopular. Admittedly, it will take time to win popular support among majority populations.

But the benefits are clear. Today half the Roma are under 20 years old. If they remain disenfranchised and impoverished they threaten stability and cohesion in the countries where they live and in other parts of Europe. If, on the other hand, the Roma can participate actively and fully in society, they will contribute to the future of the whole region.

In addition to the highest level of governments now participating in the initiative, the Decade has garnered support from the European Commission, the United Nations Development Program, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Council of Europe and the Council of Europe Development Bank as well as international Roma organizations.

While this roster of supporters is impressive, it is imperative to dispel any illusion that the Decade will deliver a heap of cash. Nor is it a new institution or bureaucracy.

The governments that have endorsed this initiative must take the lead. They now need to launch the Decade in their own countries and make good on their commitments. They need to act fast. As important however is the leadership and participation of the Roma themselves. Ultimately the prospects for this initiative also hinge on their involvement.

And the European Commission must swing its weight fully behind the Decade as this will generate momentum within the region.

With international attention elsewhere, the Decade also signals a recognition that the solutions must come from the region itself. This week's launch is a start of a long process. It must not depend on the political whims or the longevity of a particular government. If the participating countries – and others, including EU members are welcome to join -- can meet the challenges set forth by the Decade of Roma Inclusion, they will have passed the most crucial test of a democratic society – to treat all citizens equally.