Deadline: 10 April 2014
Open to: youth workers, activists, researchers working on discrimination issues
Venue: 23-27 June 2014, Strasbourg, France
Description
The participation of young Roma plays an essential role in the transformation of the status and challenges faced by Roma communities across Europe. The youth sector in co-operation with the LGBT unit has carried out a study and to elaborate a publication of life stories of young Roma affected by multiple discrimination in 2013 – 2014. The study and publication will focus on representing the specific situations that young Roma face. It will also be a first case study by the Council of Europe on multiple discrimination experienced by LGBT persons. The publication is intended as a resource in educational activities and should support the development of responses to situations of discrimination affecting young people; in this respect, it can be used for advocacy actions at policy level as well. The publication pertaining to this study will be launched during the conference. In brief, the rationale for the conference is based on:
- the need to understand better the situation of young Roma people affected by multiple discrimination;
- the need to have a forum of discussion among youth organisations and other partners about including in their work with and for young people facing discrimination a specific concern on multiple discrimination;
- the need to promote the study on multiple discrimination;
- the need to have a forum for proposals on future work on this topic, at different levels and by the partners involved.
The conference is intended as a forum to raise awareness of and to explore and formulate responses to situations of multiple discrimination affecting young Roma.
The keywords of the activity are:
- youth event, as the activity aims to bring together a diversity of youth organisations, Roma and non-Roma, that have in common their work on issues relating to discrimination, and also other profiles of participants, such as researchers and policy makers;
- a better understanding, as the activity aims to raise awareness on the specificities of multiple discrimination and their impact on young Roma people;
- networking, as the activity aims to create an opportunity for organizations working with diverse groups of young people (Roma, LGBT, migrants, young women etc.) to find common concerns;
- interventions, as the activity aims to bring about proposals for how to address multiple discrimination and what strategies youth organisations and other partners should develop to reflect better in their work the needs of young people affected by multiple discrimination;
- tools, as the activity aims to promote the study on life stories of young Roma people affected by multiple discrimination.
Eligibility
The conference will gather some 40 participants, with the following profiles:
- Young people and activists involved in the study on multiple discrimination;
- Youth leaders and activists from civil society that work on discrimination issues, particularly with regards to the situation of Roma young people;
- Participants involved in human rights law bodies, human rights monitoring bodies, policy making etc.;
- Partners of the Roma Youth Action Plan and the LGBT stakeholders;
- Researchers.
Candidates should equally:
- Be in a position to use the outcomes of the Conference in their work;
- Be resident in one of the countries that have signed the European Cultural Convention;
- Be actively involved in combating discrimination, either through direct assistance to the young people facing discrimination, or through education, campaigning, lobby and advocacy at the local, national or European levels;
- Be supported by their organization;
- Be available to attend the event for its full duration.
The activity intends to be a youth event primarily and have a direct impact on youth organisations working on anti-discrimination issues.
Costs
The conference will be held from 24 to 26 June at the European Youth Centre in Strasbourg. Selected participants are requested to attend and participate for the entire duration of the conference, please plan your arrival for the 23 June and your departure for the 27 June.
Accommodation and meals for the conference will be provided and paid by the Council of Europe. Travel costs and visa fees for the seminar will be fully reimbursed according to Council of Europe rules.
Application
All candidates apply online, after registering and completing the application form. All candidates must apply online and send their applications forms by 10 April 2014 at Midnight Central European Time. Further information and contact: Denis Durmis, e-mail: Denis.DURMIS@coe.int.
Check the official call.
