The 11th meeting of the Council of Europe Dialogue with Roma and Traveller civil society is scheduled to take place on 29-30 April 2021 online via the KUDO conferencing system.
The meeting will take stock of the characteristics and prevalence of antigypsyism faced by Roma and Traveller communities and the impact of the COVID-19 crisis in this context. Participants are also invited to present and discuss different civil society and member State measures and good practices in combating antigypsyism. The Concept Note of the meeting is available here.
The meeting will:
- bring together different Roma and Traveller civil society organisations and different services of the Council of Europe Secretariat concerned by the increasing prevalence of antigypsyism;
- aim to develop co-operation between these organisations and the Council of Europe Secretariat to combat antigypsyism;
- take stock of the definition and prevalence of antigypsyism, with special focus on its characteristics in different member States;
- provide an overview of relevant legal instruments, policies and pratices on combating antigypsyism at European and at national level;
- identify different authorities that have specific roles and responsibilities concerning the combat against antigypsyism and discuss with them concerns and possible gaps in national legislation, policy and practice concerning combating antigypsyism;
- counter antigypsyism through sharing examples of good practice and exemplary civil society initiatives from different member States.
Expected outcomes:
- increased knowledge of the causes, prevalence and consequences of antigypsyism;
- increased understanding of the role of Roma and Traveller civil society and the tools available to them for actively contributing to the work of combating antigypsyism;
- increased awareness of Council of Europe responses to antigypsyism and instruments, tools and activities to combat it.
Selection criteria for Dialogue participants:
- experience and expertise regarding the priorities of the Council of Europe Strategic Action Plan for Roma and Traveller Inclusion (2020-2025);
- geographical representation of the participants at national and regional levels and across Council of Europe member States;
- age and gender balance;
- current or latest contribution or project implementation in the field of combating antigypsyism;
- contributions to developing and applying standards against antigypsyism and to monitoring their implementation;
- ability to work orally and in writing in at least one of the official languages of the Council of Europe (English or French) or in Romani;
- personal motivation.
The call is open to representatives of Roma and Traveller civil society organisations.
Interested candidates must complete an online Application Form by 28 March 2021, midnight, Central European Time (CET).
Incomplete applications or applications received after that deadline will not be considered.
Only successful applicants will be informed.
Notifications will be sent out in the week of 5-9 April 2021.
