OSCE conference on equal opportunities for Roma and Sinti

BUCHAREST, 6 September 2001 (OSCE) - Recognising the importance of the Roma and Sinti community, the Romanian Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE, Mircea Geoana, invited 300 delegates from all 55 OSCE participating States to share their experiences and try to develop common, long term solutions to the various issues, during the OSCE Conference 'Equal Opportunities for Roma and Sinti - Translating Words into Facts'. The conference will be officially opened by the Romanian Prime Minister Adrian Nastase and the OSCE Charman-in-Office, who is also Romania's Foreign Minister, on 10 September, and will continue until 13 September. Numerous non-governmental and Roma experts are also invited to attend.

"This conference will put Roma issues at the forefront of European politics and will raise awareness about the need to create structures and instruments to combat racism and discrimination", said Mr. Geoana.

On 12 September, a round table on the 'Efforts of the EU Candidate Countries for the Improvement of the Roma Situation', co-funded by the EU Phare Programme, will take place alongside the Conference.

Describing the international significance of this event, Nicolae Gheorghe, advisor on Roma and Sinti Affairs to the OSCE's Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and a leading international expert on Roma issues, said: "I think that, by addressing the status of the Roma at an international level, we may be able to alleviate one of the roots of the East-West migration phenomenon."

Besides the working groups and round tables scheduled to take place during the three-day event, the intellectual, creative and artistic potential of the Roma minority will be promoted through a series of Side-Events. A series of books will be launched, an exhibition of art by Roma painters will be on permanent display at the Marriott Hotel and the Roma News press agency will be launched (for more details see www.rroma.ro).

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For further information contact Josue Anselmo, OSCE Spokesperson, mobile 0664 325 3698, or the Press and Public Information Section of the OSCE Secretariat, tel.: +43-1-514-36-180; fax: +43-1-514-36-105; e-mail: info@osce.org.