Addressing the challenges facing Roma youth in Europe

Strasbourg, 18.04.2012 - The Congress is holding an exchange of views with a group of young Roma from the Forum of European Roma Young People, in Strasbourg on 18 April 2012. This exchange is organised as a follow up to the 2010 Strasbourg Declaration and to its 2011 resolution on the situation of Roma in Europe.  The aim is to contribute to the Council of Europe Roma Youth Action Plan and to find out exactly what Roma young people want local and regional authorities to do to improve their situation. 

During the Council of Europe Roma Youth Conference, held last September, the young Roma participants concluded they not only face the same difficulties as all young people today, they are also confronted with additional barriers, starting with being denied "the right to be young". They have a hard time asserting their human social rights and their identity, are victims of discriminations, and have little or no opportunity to participate fully in society and decision-making mechanisms. 

In the spirit of its Revised European Charter on the Participation of Young People in Local and Regional Life, the Congress is inviting young Roma people to help it identify policies and actions which should be implemented at local and regional levels to remedy this situation.

2010 Strasbourg Declaration

Website “Alliance of Cities and Regions for Roma Inclusion”