January 2006

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THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE ON ROM

January 2006 – A new website dedicated to the Roma has been launched recently by the European Commission. The website, managed by the Anti-discrimination Unit in Directorate-General Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, on behalf of the Inter-Service Group on Roma, is aimed at anyone interested in Roma affairs, from individuals to non-governmental organizations and government bodies.

Even though it is acknowledged that much of the responsibility for addressing the challenges of discrimination and exclusion the Roma people suffer lies at national, regional and local levels, the EU has a range of policies and programmes which can help to support these efforts. Given the broad nature of these challenges, EU support is also provided across a broad range of policy areas and activities. This website gives links to the most important among these, although it does not claim to be exhaustive. Thus, within the European Commission, an Inter-Service Group – bringing together 14 different departments and chaired by the Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities DG – coordinates the different policies and programmes tackling Roma issues. Users can access a range of information on how to promote social inclusion and combat discrimination against Roma. The site also briefs on how to get funding to carry away these projects and offers the latest news on the issue.

The site has been put up approximately a month before the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia (EUMC) Roundtable with the International Roma Women Network.