1. NATT+ Conference Roma: The 5Rs Dr Philip Brown The University of Salford, UK 15 th March 2013

2. A number of important developments at a European level with respect to Roma inclusion: Decade of Roma Inclusion – selected EU Member States European level – legal and financial tools are in place EU commitment – to tackling social integration of Roma has been stated Recognised expertise – EU and nationally is there Very little change. Why? Economic crisis Lack of co-ordination Lack of political will and commitment from Member States National Roma Integration Strategies – planning for Roma inclusion up to 2020 The view from Europe

3. Education to ensure that all Roma children complete at least primary school and have access to quality education Employment to reduce the employment gap between Roma and the rest of the population Healthcare to reduce the gap in the health status between the Roma and the rest of the population Housing and essential services to close the gap between the share of Roma with access to housing and to public utilities and that of the rest of the population National Roma Integration Strategies

4. Roma SOURCE – www.romasource.euwww.romasource.eu 180 people taking part in focus groups in six EU Member States with Roma and Non Roma populations What’s working - promoting the integration of Roma in and through education – with the BHA Consultations with selected key experts and stakeholders in UK, Netherlands and Spain National Roma Research and Network With Migration Yorkshire and connecting to national bodies and DCLG Findings from recent research

5. Key finding: Roma unemployment Entrenched prejudice, discrimination and a lack of education - both academic and vocational - condemns many Roma to long term unemployment. Our data reiterates the findings of many previous studies and provides strong evidence that Roma face significant barriers when attempting to access labour market opportunities.

6. Key finding: Roma and paid work Where Roma feature within the labour market their position is characterised by precarious, unstable, low paid and low skilled work. This research suggests that there is sometimes a tendency, by employers or key gatekeepers, to suppress opportunities which might allow people to progress. This situation can be self-perpetuating as Roma can become increasingly associated with particular sectors and areas of work, which can lower their aspirations and expectations. From the perspective of non Roma communities, Roma are often viewed as engaged in a spectrum of activities, ranging from market trading through to criminal activities.

7. Key finding: community relations Relationships between Roma and non Roma are characterised by a diverse range of everyday encounters. These encompass civil, routine associations between neighbours from different communities at one end of the spectrum, alongside a sometimes begrudging toleration of others as the norm, through to violent racist incidents at the other extreme. Although there were reports of voluntaristic, positive relations between Roma and non Roma founded on trust and reciprocation within local neighbourhoods, in many instances Roma and non Roma continue to lead separate, parallel lives.

8. Key finding: social welfare A strong perception exists among non Roma respondents that Roma receive preferential treatment to collectively provided public welfare services. Linked to this, many non Roma also believe that Roma rarely contribute to such welfare services but are happy to manipulate the services on offer for their own benefit. Such views help to foster a deep seated resentment from certain members of the non Roma population. On the other hand, Roma, consistently highlight poverty as impacting negatively on their ability to effectively engage with health, housing and educational services.

9. ‘Official’ data on new Roma non existent or limited at best Where surveys are undertaken they are unable to provide comprehensive estimation. Survey currently underway in UK by University of Salford. Range of data drawn upon (e.g. official data; hands-on knowledge; estimates from other service areas). Data on ‘new’ Roma

10. Barriers to data collection Lack of ethnic monitoring Lack of self-identification by Roma National and trans-national mobility of Roma families Data seen as key to lobbying for appropriate resource allocation Data on ‘new’ Roma

11. Roma [dis]engagement in education widely known Consultations reveal complexity and shared issues across countries: Roma families/parents often not engaged Spectrum of ‘value’ placed on education Competing priorities between families and schools Underpinning role of poverty - often debilitating impact Socio-legal status of Roma – access to rights and precariousness of status Barriers to engagement in education

12. Complex needs of families meant intensive, holistic and long- term support worked best Need for multi-agency (e.g. social services, health, education etc.) or inter-agency (i.e. specialist cross-cutting service) approaches Trust – key bedrock to supporting access into education Working with Roma families in relation to education

13. If we have a long way to go with UK Gypsy/Traveller communities it’s even further for newly arriving Roma Local authorities and key partners tend to know much less Unsure how to act Needs are often extremely complex Need for partnerships and recognition Education workers are a vital piece of the jigsaw to enable inclusion Conclusions?

14. Get in touch Dr Philip Brown Housing & Urban Studies Unit The University of Salford Joule House +44(0)161 2953647 p.brown@salford.ac.uk @shusuphil http://drphilbrown.com/ Thank You!

15. Disclaimer: This project to which this presentation relates has been funded with the financial support of the Fundamental Rights and Citizenship programme of the European Commission. The contents of the presentation are the sole responsibility of the authors and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Commission. © Roma SOURCE 2013