1. European Commission 16-Feb-14 Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities 1 The Roma Platform in September 2009 Meeting of the EUROMA Network The Roma Platform in September 2009 Meeting of the EUROMA Network European Commission DG for Employment, Social affairs and Equal opportunities Stockholm, September 24, 2009 european platform for roma inclusion

2. European Commission General Affairs December 2008 European Council December 2007 European Council June 2008 Conclusions of Councils 2007-2008 1 st time officially recognized issue, 1 st ever official Commission report Member States commitment and mandate for the Commission Commissions willingness to lead, coordinate and support Integration of Roma inclusion into structural policies Social Affairs June 2009

3. European Commission 16-Feb-14 Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities 3 General Affairs Council December 2008 European Council December 2007 European Council June 2008 Context: Council conclusions in 2007-2009 Political commitment of EU and Member States to address the issue at Community level and implement action at national level Member States commitment Mandate for the Commission Commissions willingness to lead, coordinate and support Common Basic Principles to be embedded in all policies Integration of Roma aspects in structural policies EPSCO Council June 2009

4. European Commission 16-Feb-14 Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities 4 Implementation of the platform Platform as a process driven by stakeholders (EU institutions, committed Member States, international organizations and civil society) and their actions Key roles of EU Presidencies: maintain political momentum in Council work and through EU Roma Summits and platform events European Commission is willing to lead by example as key stakeholder through action and deliverance of tangible results Basic principles as key for success: development of Common Basic Principles by Czech Presidency Need for complementary and mutually reinforcing action undertaken by the Member States and the EU in the limits of their competencies

5. European Commission The 10 Common Basic Principles 6. Transfer of evidence-based policies 7. Use of Community instruments 8. Involvement of regional and local authorities 9. Involvement of civil society 10. Active participation of the Roma 1. Constructive, pragmatic and non-discriminatory policies 2. Explicit but not exclusive targeting 3. Inter-cultural approach 4. Aiming for the mainstream 5. Awareness of the gender dimension

6. European Commission The 2 nd Meeting of the European Platform Focus on EDUCATION ! Political interventions State Secretary Christer Hallerby (Swedish Ministry for Integration and Gender Equality) Commissioner Jan Figel Commissioner Vladimír Špidla Key problems of Roma in the education system Experts Presentation Mihai Surdu (Roma Education Fund) General discussion The way forward: Transferable policies and good practice Mainstreaming education (Sweden) Equal opportunities funding policy (Hungary) Roma women against segregation (Romania)

7. European Commission Why focusing on education? Education is the way to achieve equal chances in society Education must not be a stand- alone policy but must be embedded into wider policies on improving -socio-economic structures -public health -urban rehabilitation Education is a perfect example for the need to focus on the inclusion of Roma into the mainstream of the educational system and the mainstream of society