Monthly Periodical of The Roma Inclusion Offi ce The Roma Decade in AP Vojvodina

No. 56, december 2015 Photo of the month: Marking the 5000th Rhomano Them radio show Founder and Publisher of the Periodical: The Roma Inclusion Office of the Govern- ment of AP Vojvodina

Editor in Chief: Duško Jovanović

Managing Editor: Aleksandra Mićić

The team: Dragana Rajić Aleksandra Mićić DEAR Tijana Čubrilo Ljiljana Maričić READER, Graphic design Associate: Tatjana Bošković

Correspondents: Ferenc Koso Coordinators for Roma issues of the AP Vojvodina Ivana Koprivica n front of you is the last issue of our magazine for this year. We hope that we met your expectations Translation into Romani: and justified your confidence. Nota Bene, Centar za prevođenje i učenje I stranih jezika The Education section brings articles of supporting Roma students within Romaversitas Translation into English: project, as well as of the scholarship contracts Aleksandra Vranić signed between Preschool Teacher Training students in Vršac and the Roma Inclusion Office. Technical Preparation and Printing: Lola preduzetništvo, Beograd, The Provincial institutions section provides the www.lolapreduzetnistvo.co.rs second part of the Provincial Ombudsman’s report on the analysis of the status of Coordinators for Circulation: Roma issues in Vojvodina. 1000 copies In a Local government section, there is an Address: interview with Stevan Nikolić, Roma Coordinator Mihajla Pupina 25, 21000 Novi Sad in Subotica. Tel: 021/488-17-23 We wrote about the Center for Regionalism [email protected] under NGOs section. www.inkluzijaroma.vojvodina.gov.rs What is current in this issue is that “Trifun CIP - Cataloging in Publication Dimić Poetry Days”, took place in Šangaj’s library The Matica Srpska Library, Novi Sad that bears his name, as well as marking the 5000th 323.1 (=214.58)(=497.113) radio show “Romano Them”, broadcast on Radio The Decade of Roma in AP Vojvodina: Belgrade. Monthly Publication of the Roma Inclusion In our History section, you can read interesting Office / Editor in Chief Duško Jovanović articles about how other nations call the Roma, -2011, No. 1 - Novi Sad: The Roma Inclusion and that the origin of the word Roma. Office of the Government of AP Vojvodina, We remind you that, thanks to the Research 2011-.30 cm and Education Center and the Preschool Teacher Monthly. In Serbian, English and Romani Training College “Mihailo Palov” from Vršac, you language - In Romani printed in reverse can read our publication online at www.rec.org/ COBISS.SR - ID 261834759 bilten/.

Your editorial staff Education

Promoting the Romaversitas Project SUPPORTING ROMA STUDENTS

he Roma Inclusion Office, in cooperation Representatives of the Roma Education with the Vojvodina Roma Center for De- Fund, Student Union of Serbia, Infopolis - Tmocracy, organized a promotion of a Ro- Youth Info Centre and students of high schools maversitas project, which will last two years. and colleges, attended the promotion of the Romaversitas Serbia is trying to make contact project. Students found out information about with and to support Roma students in continu- the project and what their formal and informal ity during their studies. This means that Serbia partners offer when it comes to the educa- Romaversitas help Roma students in the pro- tion of young Roma. “Our goal is to familiarize cess leading up to their graduation and tries to yourself with all the institutions that deal with empower them to find jobs after study. education and with what help they offer,” said

2 Aleksandar Jovanović, Project Manager, to the ies, but provides support for freshman stu- students. dents and prospective students, as well as Veselin Dickov, director of the Student primary and secondary school students. He Health Center, expressed his satisfaction that participates in this program as a lecturer. they have repeatedly had a very successful Student at the Teacher Training College in cooperation with the Vojvodina Roma Center Vršac, Biljana Ređepović said that she came for Democracy and all the organizations that to the promotion to meet other students and support education and health of the Roma. He to hear the information they need for further pointed out that the Roma have the support of education. the Institute and promised to maximally meet Jelica Nikolić from Roma Education Fund the needs through lecturers, space and logistic explained that this program included many support to the entire project. students from Novi Sad and emphasized that it Mirko Kaldaraš is a student of Master stud- means a lot to them. She added that in addi- Education 3 Speakers at the panel tion to Romaversitas program, the REF imple- education you gain a certain status in society ments a scholarship program as well. and a chance to live better and better,” said Director of the Roma Inclusion Office said Jovanović. He analyzed the exemplary affirm- that the Office has participated since its open- ative action today compared to the previous ing in the implementation of affirmative ac- three or four years, and unfortunately, con- tion measures. The Office is actively involved cluded that not only did these measures suf- in the promotion of education in general, with fer today, but also very difficult to implement. special emphasis on continuing education. “All “An example of this is that last year we had 14 those who think they do not need it today to Roma students at the law school who passed go to school and receive education are greatly the entrance exam and enrolled through af- mistaken because the time in which we live firmative action, and this year only two,” said increases requirement, and that only through Jovanović. Education 4 Education

In 2009/2010, the project Romaversitas began formally to implement in Novi Sad and was financially supported by the Roma Education Fund. One of the main objectives was to create equal opportunities for Roma students studying at the . Before that, they conducted various studies to see what are the real needs of Roma students.

Romaversitas Serbia program offers to student: • fully equipped space for learning and research, • additional classes with professors mentors, • assistance in school needs, • psychological support, • to cover the cost of books and minor costs, Note: • learning English and , Students must apply while the compe- • support in learning, tition is in progress. Subsequent ap- • student Initiative plication will not be possible. • access to seminar programs.  Tijana Čubrilo

5 Education Scholarship contracts for students of Roma nationality

he provincial govern- supported this initiative, and diversity. Vojvodina model, ment and the Roma In- six years ago the first genera- which has been presented Tclusion Office organized tion of students enrolled. at the European institutions, ceremonial signing of schol- The Vice President of the is to solve the issues of edu- arship contracts for Roma Provincial Government, Mi- cation and employment of students for the school year roslav Vasin, said that the Roma, as well as a model for 2015/2016. Scholarships are Provincial Government has solving the housing problem intended for 20 students of strived to provide adequate of the Roma. Vojvodina is the Roma nationality, study pro- assistance and support to only region in Europe that has gram for teacher training in members of the Roma com- a higher education institution Romani language at the Col- munity, through a variety of where it is possible to edu- lege of Professional Stud- measures, programs and pro- cate the Roma to cater the ies in Education of Teach- jects, and that the current sit- needs of the Roma communi- ers “Mihailo Palov” in Vršac. uation, despite the fact that ty and of the entire society, in Students were addressed has not reached its desired their own language. There is by the Vice President of the level, wakes up and provides a large number of small busi- Provincial Government and hope for a better tomorrow. “ nesses in Vojvodina today, the Provincial Secretary for This year as well, the Provin- whose owners and founders Economy, Employment and cial Government continued to are of Romani origin”, said Gender Equality, Mr. Miroslav implement quality projects Vasin, adding that efforts are Vasin, in the presence of Di- in the field of improving the made by the provincial gov- rector of the Office, Duško position of Roma, albeit with ernment and the Secretariat Jovanović, Assistant Secre- more modest means. These to improve the situation of tary for the area of improving projects were rated high the Roma in the province. the position of Roma Slavica marks from international Eu- Due to the fact that the Denić and staff from the Sec- ropean institutions and the importance of creating a retariat. United Nations. We live in Vo- highly educated cadre for In order to continue the jvodina and the basic duty of the Romani language, in the process of preserving, nur- the Provincial Government is sense of preserving the iden- turing and development of to maintain what is most pre- tity of the Roma community the Romani language in the cious – Vojvodina values. They in the region, the Roma Inclu- institutions and agencies, represent the co-existence of sion Office has implemented the Roma Inclusion Office 26 national communities that financial support to students and Roma Centre launched live here with each other, not of this track as part of its an initiative to open a study next to each other. Vojvodina plan and program. program for teachers in the values are tolerance, under- Duško Jovanović pointed Roma language in 2009. The standing, respecting each out that the aim of gather- provincial government has other’s traditions, beauty of ing scholars in the Provincial

6 Education

Government and the discus- problems have started. Con- sion and exchange of infor- ditions for undisturbed edu- mation is relevant for under- cation of Roma children are standing the current situation in some way disturbed, and in Serbia regarding the status the measures introduced had of the Roma. “You represent to be adjusted in accordance students who are benefi- with the current situation, ciaries of affirmative action which may not be reflected in measures for Roma students the education of Roma chil- studying in Serbia and Vo- dren”, Jovanović said, noting

Miroslav Vasin, Provicial Government VP addresses students jvodina. For years, we have that the EU insists on improv- tried to define standards and ing the situation of the Roma norms to be applied during community. the implementation process The Office provides schol- and affirmative action with arships in the amount of RSD the central government, in 6,000 per month per student, accordance with the Law on but also other forms of sup- Protection of Rights and Free- port, such as accommodation Source: doms of National Minorities, in a dorm, financial support Announcement of the Secre- which defines the application for textbooks, computers, ac- tariat for Economy, Employ- of affirmative action. How- cessories and other assets. ment and Gender Equality ever, since 2012, underlying

7 photo report

8 photo report

9 Provincial institutions

Coordinators for Roma issues (RCs) in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina

ANALYSIS OF THE POSITION OF RCs IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS IN THE AUTONOMOUS PROVINCE

Work engagement of RCs

he grounds on which RCs are involved in of Žabalj, this position is systematized with- local governments are different, as well in the local Roma Inclusion Office. In other Tas their workplaces. Most Romani coor- words, in 45 percent of local governments in dinators work in local government units (10 of APV that have Coordinators for Roma issues, them). Five coordinators are employed in the this position has been provided by a general Roma civil society organizations (CSOs), but act. also perform duties of Coordinators for Roma RCs started their worked on the ter- issues, alone or in cooperation with some of ritory of the APV in the period from 2005 the other employees in the local government. to 2010, mostly through the project of the One coordinator works as a pedagogical assis- Ministry for Human and Minority Rights of tant, while one is engaged in trade business, Serbia, which advocated involvement of the and does the job as a Coordinator for Roma so-called representatives of national mi- issues in the local government on a volunteer norities in units of local government. Most basis. of the original agreements at the time were From a total of 17 mediators from whom concluded for a definite time and mainly for the data were obtained, seven are perma- temporary and occasional jobs. nently employed in the local government. Provincial Ombudsman considers that Four of them volunteer in the local govern- the contracts on temporary and occasional ment, three were hired on the basis of con- work, service contracts, as well as the de- tracts, two on the basis of solutions from cision of the local self-government as the local self-governments, and one person was basis for engagement of coordinators for hired under contract for temporary jobs. Roma issues are not in accordance with the In eight of the 20 local governments cov- law, because they do not correspond to the ered by this analysis (municipalities of Apat- nature of the work they perform, or period in, Sombor, Kula, Bač, Vrbas and Beočin, and during which there is a need for their in- the cities of Novi Sad and Pančevo), general volvement. In addition, the engagement of act on organization and systematization of Roma coordinators on these grounds pre- jobs provides workplaces for coordinators vents the exercise of individual rights aris- for Roma issues, while in the municipality ing from employment, in health and social

10 care, and pension insurance. The existence Given the amount of work that RCs carry of different ground of engagement of coordi- out, as well as to the specifics of each unit of nators for Roma issues in local governments local government, it is necessary to foresee is contrary to the principle of non-discrimi- the possibility of work engagement of more nation because, formally speaking, persons employees to deal with the issues of improv- who perform essentially the same job with ing the position of Roma, as an affirmative the same employer are treated differently measure, as long as an objective need for the or in unequal manner. team exists. Recommendation concerning the Recommendations: regulation of mutual cooperation Romani co- Provincial Ombudsman – Ombudsman con- ordinators and health mediators is located in siders it necessary to amend the Local Gov- the part related to health care. ernment Act in a way that a new article fol- It is necessary to enable the continu- lows Article 98, as follows: ous formal and informal education to Roma coordinators and others in the local govern- “In local government units where mem- ments who deal with the issues of improving bers of the Roma national minority make the position of Roma, in areas relevant to up more than 5% of the total population their work, including reasonable alternative according to the last census in the Repub- forms of education (internships, mentoring, lic of Serbia, Coordinator for Roma issues consulting support, etc.). should be established. In local governments, where there is a Coordinator for Roma issues provides Coordinator for Roma issues, it is necessary professional and technical assistance in for all the organs, institutions, services and improving the position of Roma on the ter- other holders of public authority to be aware ritory of local self-government. of this fact, as well as with the job descrip- Powers and procedures of the Coordi- tion of Coordinator for Roma issues and any nator for Roma issues are regulated by the other person dealing with the issues of im- general act. “ proving the situation of Roma.

Acts of local government in connection with improving the roma position

trategies and local action plans that are or they exist only in certain areas, their manu- significant for improving the position of facture or acquisition takes place, often for a SRoma in some, but not all areas covered three-year period. by the documents of the Decade of Roma were A separate budget line for the implemen- brought in a total of five local governments (25 tation of strategic activities related to the im- per cent - in Sombor, Apatin, Pančevo, Srem- provement of the status of the Roma minority ska Mitrovica and Beočin). While 20 percent exists only in those local governments where of local governments (Odžaci, Bačka Palanka, there are adopted strategic documents for Bač and Žabalj) these acts have in all four are- some or all of the four relevant areas, while as, 11 of them (55 percent - Subotica, Zrenja- the rest have no specific budget lines specifi- nin, Alibunar, Bela Crkva, Kovin, Kula, Sečanj, cally for this purpose. However, in most other Titel, Novi Sad, Inđija and Vrbas) do not have local government funds for activities related such laws, and Žabalj has established their to improving the position of Roma, they are Roma Inclusion Office. In most jurisdictions usually allocated within the framework of where these acts have not yet been adopted budget items for some areas, particularly so- Provincial institutions 11 Workshop for coordinators for Roma issues cial care and education. Some local govern- the dialogue that the local governments which ments raise significant resources for activities provide displacement of settlements or (parts related to improving the position of Roma ob- of) settlements in the regions where Roma tained (i) from donations, and on the basis of men and women live, there is no clear image specific projects. or plan of how to implement displacement, Detailed regulation plans of settlements or where these people could (permanently) on the territory of local self-governance are move, or settle. the most important urban planning documents Detailed Regulation Plan, which would in- in the field of housing development and the clude parts of settlements where Roma live is basis for long-term planning in this area. Even planned to happen, or is currently under way where they exist, they usually do not include in the three local government units (Odžaci, informal settlements in which Roma live, or Sombor and Bač). Plans in the three local gov- apply only to certain of such settlements, or ernment units (Kovin, Sečanj and Titel) do not parts thereof, which further aggravates the include parts in which Roma live, and the five already difficult situation. What is worrisome interviewees (Zrenjanin, Alibunar, Bela Crkva, is that from one can get the impression form Kula and Vrbas) had no information on whether Provincial institutions 12 Provincial institutions

such plans exist at all, or whether it includes resources during the implementation of plans parts of settlements where the Roma live. In and implementation of laws, it is envisaged several local governments, it is estimated that for the activities and allocations of local gov- due to lack of organization and the failure to ernments to be regularly synchronized with recognize the status of Roma as an issue that existing activities and allocations within the concerns the entire local community by local framework of projects implemented by local governments, there were missed opportuni- and international civil society organizations. ties to engage in greater and longer-term pro- In this regard, it is necessary that local gov- jects, especially in infrastructure and housing. ernments give their maximum contribution Recommendations: and support to such projects and become in- It is necessary that the local governments volved in their implementation wherever this make strategic documents, action plans and is possible. other acts in the areas that are relevant to improving the position of Roma. For a rational, efficient and purposeful  Provincial Ombudsman disposition of material, financial and human Autonomne Pokrajine Vojvodine

13 Local government

Interview with Stevan Nikolić, coordinator for Roma issues in Subotica LET’S LIVE WITH EACH OTHER, NOT NEXT TO EACH OTHER

Stevan Nikolić

 Since when have you every two or three months. of working with the Roma held the position of a My requirement to become a community. Roma Coordinator? coordinator was to stay in the  What is your coopera- I have been a Roma co- premises of the Educational tion like with the local ordinator since October 26, Center of Roma, because in government? 2014 but my job has not been the past ten years, this area I belong to the Secretar- systematized. I am employed was an independent service iat for Social Affairs. Within by the project, and the con- for citizens of Roma ethnicity. local government, there is tract will be extended to We have developed a model a person who is my supervi-

14 sor and works directly with Roma community is only grad- el we use is an already built the Deputy Secretary of the ually learning how to become model of how to start listen- Secretariat for Social Affairs, an equal member of the so- ing to the citizens, and those and with the person of the ciety. It is important to form are committees for intereth- City Council who is in charge Roma intellectual elite that nic relations. What I offer to of the Scheme of Social ques- will be willing to undertake in local self-government is not tions I have good communica- due course. Therefore, today the usual team for inclusion. tion. We also work with virtu- we are building a platform for  What are your future ally all structures in the city. the future. What we expect plans?  Has the City budget from a generation that is at My future work will be allocated certain funds the end of their studies is a linked toward establishing a intended for the Roma? moral obligation to continue Committee for Inter-Ethnic The revised budget has the path in order to be equal Relations in all the local com- set aside 800 000 dinars, of in the social system. The munities with a larger Roma which 300 000 are allocated Roma community has its own population. The City of Sub- to the field of education, 200 instruments accepted by the otica has prepared a local ac- 000 for social benefits 200 000 country. These are pedagogi- tion plan for the four areas of for the regulation of Roma cal assistants, health media- the Decade. Now we applied settlements and 100 000 di- tors and RCs. What I can say with the Provincial Secre- nars for making LAP. From the from two viewpoints, as in tariat for Economy, Employ- money earmarked for educa- the NGO sector and as a Roma ment and Gender Equality tion, we applied with 250 000 coordinator, I’d be happy for for the purchase of textbooks to the Provincial Secretariat the position of Coordinators for children from 5th to 8th for Economy, Employment not to get politicized because grade. 237 students are evi- and Gender Equality to co- we are aware that some coor- dented at that age. We have finance buying textbooks. dinators are left without work five teaching assistants with  In which areas of the in continuity. whom we work very well. All Decade of Roma has  How does one of your teaching assistants originate been most done in Sub- work days look like? from the Roma Educational otica? I spend most of the time Centre. REC had taken part In education, and the working in an office, commu- in defining the position of least in the area of housing nicating with citizens and an- teaching assistants, as well and employment. alyzing different documents, as setting criteria for them. How do we make a bet- but I go to local government In the fothcoming period, a ter future for the Roma as well. We have a function- rulebook for teaching assis- community? ing system. Everything we’ve tants is being prepared. The first and the main done as an informal service  A message for your goals are to change ways of for citizens has now been fellow citizens. looking at the position of the formalized. This means that We are all people and we Roma community because it everything that I do now as must not forget that. There has not participated in social a coordinator, I have already is room for everything under management in political life. done before. the same sky, but we need Now, through implementation  What are you proud of to understand and hear each of inclusion into the educa- in your work? other, so that we live with tional system, we get a new I am mostly proud of the each other, not next to each chance. However, we have fact that, as a coordinator, I other, which is the current to be very realistic in consid- have a pass rate for all the situation. eration of those chances. The institutions. A working mod-  Ljiljana Maričić Local government 15 Human rights INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY

"All men are born free and equal in dignity and rights," said the senior member of the General Convention on Human Rights. By the virtue of birth and with the first moments of life, men get human rights. They are guaranteed, inalienable and regulated by a number of international documents.

“No one is born to hate another man because of his or her skin color, his- tory or religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can learn to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” Nelson Mandela

The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights was proclaimed on 10 December 1948, which is why this date has been marked as the International Day of Human Rights as of 1950.

16 fter the horrific barbarism of the Second World War, the UN General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. Though not legally binding, it strongly Aurged States to make an effort in the recognition of human, civil, economic and social rights, with the principle that these rights are part of the “foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.” The Declaration was the first international legal effort to limit the behavior of states and to put pressure on them to accept obligations to its own citizens to correlate the model of rights and obligations. Many state wanted to go beyond the Declaration of Human Rights and to create pacts and agreements to perform more pressure on countries to adopt human rights standards. Given the fact that there was a disagreement as to whether the unique Charter should also include eco- nomic and social rights (which usually require a greater effort to state), two covenants have been prepared. In 1966, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights came into force and in 1976, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Together with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, these documents make up what is now called the International Covenant of Rights.

The list of rights in the fields of observation Respect for Prohibition of The use of special Respect for Use of coercive measures economic discrimination measures Political Rights rights

The right to Respect for protection of The right to national, cultural The right to Right to life private life, join political and religious work family, home and parties identity correspondence The right The prohibition of The right to just and Respect for torture and inhuman to stand for favorable gender equality punishment or treatment election conditions of work

Freedom The right to liberty and The right to of thought, security of person and freedom of Trade Union conscience, belief treatment of persons expression and Freedoms and religion deprived of their liberty association

The Declaration, for the first time in the history mankind proclaims common human rights standards of achievement for all peoples and all nations of the world. Human rights are basic rights that every person has, acquired by birth, which are inalienable and indivisible, common to all people, regardless of citizenship, residence, gender, national or ethnic origin, color, reli- gion, language, or any other status. Holders of human rights are the citizens, and the obligation of the state is that the rights and freedoms provided by the Constitution and laws are not violated but respected. Human rights and freedom are fundamental values on which, in addition to the rule of law and social justice, principles of civil democracy and commitment to European principles and values, the Republic of Serbia is based.  Aleksandra Mićić Human rights 17 NGO

Interview with Aleksandar Popov, director of the Center for Regionalism FROM SEGREGATE TOWARD INTEGRATIVE MULTICULTURALISM POLICY

 When was Center for Regionalism cal communities, freedom of movement of peo- founded and for what purpose? ple, goods, etc. Center for Regionalism was founded on  Which areas do you cover and what are October 28 1998 and the name suggests that the priorities in your work? the purpose was to tackle issues of decentrali- We are engaged mostly with expert pro- zation, regionalization of Serbia and interre- jects, whose aim is not only to make expertise, gional cooperation. We implemented part of but we also have an activist part of the opera- this goal, and we are implementing it further. tion. We operate toward the general public, We had a number of projects that are related to but we also lobby to those in power, both in it. We dealt with proposals for their solutions, Serbia and in the countries covered by the Ig- to change the law on regional development and man Initiative. Also, within the Center, we have the protection of human and minority rights. the publishing work, and many expert projects These are, at home, the key things that we were in print publications and there are over have worked on for these 17 years. The Center twenty of them. founded three regional networks. The first is Who are your partners and what kind of the Igman Initiative, created 15 years ago and cooperation do you have with state insti- it is focused on the rapid normalization of rela- tutions and organizations? tions and restoration of understanding and trust Our partners in the Igman Initiative are Civ- between the countries of the Dayton Agree- ic Committee for Human Rights from Zagreb, ment: Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia Tuzla Citizens’ Forum from Tuzla and the Ini- and Montenegro. It brings together around 120 tiative for Regional Cooperation in Podgorica. organizations from these countries. It became In Kosovo, our partner organization is Voluntary influential considering that it brought together Society “Mother Theresa” from Pristina, with for six times in its meetings heads of states of which we have had a very good cooperation for the four countries. We have established the As- 13 years. At home we have one in Vojvodina, sociation of Multiethnic Cities of Southeast Eu- a coalition of NGOs, called the Civic Vojvodina rope (FILIJA), although it no longer exists. It and which is aimed at non-governmental or- lasted for six years and encompassed around ganizations that work together against negative 80 cities in the wider Southeastern Europe. The events, such as the existence of neo-Nazism, third regional network is called the Civic dia- supporting nationalism, and everything else. logue and it is focused on rebuilding the coop- This organization was founded by the Center eration of civil society organizations from Ser- for Regionalism and the Independent Journal- bia and Kosovo. The project has been running ists’ Association of Vojvodina, but eight other from 2002 and the main target groups are young organizations joined eight and we act in con- people, women and the media. We held a series tinuity. As for the state institutions, we have of meetings on various topics, but we worked cooperation at the provincial and national level on some expert projects within this framework to some extent; we cooperate with some minis- pertaining to the protection of minorities in lo- tries, but also with parliamentary bodies. Now,

18 in the course of realization is the project re- between the National Council and the minority lating to the participation of Vojvodina in the it represents. This is especially evident when negotiation process with the European Union. the intellectual elite that is not included in the There we held a press conference and a se- council, in most cases, has a critical attitude ries of round tables, in order to define what towards the Council and objections to its work. are the interests of Vojvodina, which should be However, a system error is that this model, articulated through the negotiation process. through the Law on National Councils, as well The Provincial Secretariat for Interregional Co- as through other laws shows that the system is operation and Local Government finances the part of segregate multiculturalism because we project. We also worked on a project with the have segregation from kindergarten all through support of the Nordic countries regarding the secondary school. This is not good because then establishment of inter-parliamentary coopera- we learn to live alongside each other rather tion by the Nordic model of the Dayton Agree- than with each other. Several non-governmen- ment. We had cooperation with parliamentary tal organizations dealing with these issues have bodies and with jurisdiction committees of the established Intercultural Network and our pro- Assembly of Serbia. We also worked on a spe- posal is that the system should be replaced by cific project relating to the free movement integrative system. of labor between countries using the Dayton  The implementation of the project to Agreement and the Nordic model, and I can say strengthen capacities of the Roma Na- that we had the full support and cooperation tional Council is currently on. What is of the competent Committee for Labor, as well this about? as the Ministry of Labor. Therefore, I hope that Since Roma minority is among the most vul- this will result in the conclusion of bilateral nerable, we received support form the Fund for agreements. The agreement with Montenegro an Open Society for the project Strengthening and Bosnia and Herzegovina has already been capacity of the National Council of Roma. In implied, in order to minimize the black market this project, our goal was to strengthen their labor to minimum. knowledge in order to better exploit the rights  You have followed the work of the na- deriving from the Law on National Councils of tional councils in Serbia. What are your National Minorities. We put emphasis on areas experiences? that are important for the protection of nation- On two occasions, we have implement- al identity, namely the right to education, in- ed projects that have been adopted for work formation, culture, the official use of languages analysis. These are five national councils: Hun- and alphabet. In addition, we have had trainings garian, Slovak, Bulgarian, Romanian and Roma in project writing, which we think was a quite National Council. We did evaluate the work useful for the members of the Council. The plan of national councils, as well as monitoring in is to organize training about work transparency, the area of transparency. Through the two re- in order to increase openness in the work of searches, it showed that the largest ethnic mi- the National Council and for national minorities nority and the minority that is best organized and the public to get a better insight into what is Hungarian, because they have the greatest is going on within the national council. capacity to consume the rights deriving from  The position of Roma in Serbia is ex- the Law on National Councils of National Minor- tremely difficult. Why do you think? ities, and other smaller minorities do not have The problem is that we do not have good this capacity and that should be worked on. We instruments in order to bridge the problem of concluded that the work of the national council integration of Roma into society. In addition, is not transparent enough, especially towards the exact number of Roma is still not known, as the minority it represents, and then to the gen- there are many Roma who are legally invisible. eral public and that there is insufficient buckle Even where there is visibility, we have some NGO 19 Aleksandar Popov other questions, such as whether the country ly live in slums, segregated, we should try to takes adequate measures and whether it checks improve the standard of living in these settle- if they are effective through Roma Inclusion Of- ments. I think that’s a very important job. As fices, to whether these measures yield results, for the Roma Decade, there is progress, but not or is it just a form to say to be done. I think enough. I think that the situation in Vojvodina this should be followed with the broader so- is somewhat better because we have good pro- cial action and awareness of the majority and vincial Roma Inclusion Office, which I think is the Roma minority, about improving the posi- exemplary and should be an example to others, tion of Roma and inclusion in the community. and that is shown with their results. Such an of- One of the key solutions is a greater number of fice should be in other parts of Serbia, and that educated Roma. The traditional way of life of it exists and actually works, not just formally as Roma cannot be avoided in a way. If you have is often the case. With the combination of all this in mind, and the fact that they general- the measures we will achieve the desired goal. NGO 20 NGO

these people. On the other hand, there is a domino effect that is reflected on the Roma, a large influx of refugees speeds up the process of return of people who are from our region. Europe therefore picked an order to solve at least one problem, and that problem is of peo- ple who will be returned under the Agreement on readmission. It can cause us big problems because we have refugees and returnees. The situation is not bright at all; both consume re- sources that could be used to improve the sta- tus of ethnic groups.  What are the most important projects you had, that are linked to Roma? I mentioned the project that was related to the work of the Roma National Council, which is still in progress, but we also had a regional pro- ject that was also related to Roma. Supported by the Fund for Open Society from Budapest and was related to the implementation of regional housing programs. The Project is about bringing the definitive closure of the refugee issue when it comes to their accommodation by closing as- sembly centers and solving their housing. It en- compasses four countries of the Dayton Agree- ment and about 47 000 families. It was planned to collect 584 million euros for attending all the refugees. Bearing in mind that Roma are the most vulnerable group, we got the project to realize building of the regional housing program with paying special attention to the housing of Roma. This is due to a number of circumstanc- es, such as their legal invisibility. Therefore, when Calls get announced, they are often not adapted for their living conditions. Roma prefer It’s not an easy task considering that the issue to get a garden or material to rebuild houses has been neglected. than apartments in residential buildings. In ad- * There is an expected return of a large dition, the problem is that when they announce number of Roma from the European Un- a Call, they do not reach users when Roma are ion soon, who do not have residency sta- concerned. That’s why we went to the field and tus resolved. What do you think, is Ser- have a good partner organization - Humanitar- bia ready to deal with this problem? ian Center for Integration and Tolerance, which The trouble is that more things crossed keeps a good record. When information comes paths that negatively affect this question, and to Roma refugees, problems occur in obtaining that is the big migrant crisis. Only now the tri- documentation required for applications and it age of refugees fleeing war and economic mi- is a great procedure that costs money, so they grants started. It caused a lot of discord within should come for their free legal aid. Europe over accepting and policies towards  Ljiljana Maričić

21 Culture TRIFUN DIMIĆ POETRY DAYS

Association "Phralipe - N. SAD" from Novi Sad has organized an event entitled "Trifun Dimić Poetry Days" at the premises of the "Trifun Dimić" library in Šangaj, with rich literary and artistic program. The aim of the project is to encourage young educated enthusiasts who show talent and affection for the written word by presenting Roma literary creators.

leksandra Aleksandrović, on behalf of nity is in charge of financial support, and the “Phralipe - N. Sad,” said that the aim of director of the city library provided space. She Athe event is to foster advancement and emphasized the importance of this event, be- protection of Romani language. Provincial Sec- cause people can hear about Trifun Dimić, what retariat for Education, Regulations, Administra- he wrote, of what he wrote and about thoughts tion and National Minorities - national commu- in his time.

Children recite Trifun Dimić poetry

22 Children from four schools who attend to read in Romani and look forward to new Romani language classes with teachers Alek- books,” said Nikolić. She said that if we lose sandra Nikolić and Đorđe Fana read poetry our language, we, the Roma would not exist. by Trifun Dimić, as well as poetry by Rajko The event had two parts: a literary and Jovanović. Participants were students from musical program. For the music part, students four schools - “Jovan Jovanović Zmaj” from of elementary music school “Isidor Bajić”, Đurđevo, “Miloš Crnjanski” from Žabalj, Miroslav Gubić and Uglješa Vukov were in “Dositej Obradović” from Novi Sad and “Veljko charge, who played compositions of romanti- Vlahović” from Šangaj. Poetry reading was in cism epoch and Baroque on the accordion and Romani and Serbian. These four schools were thus brought a little magic and made poetry given thank you letters for participating in reading complete. Sava Aleksandrović from the project. the association “Phralipe - N. Sad,” said that Aleksandra Nikolić, professor of Russian their Association has organized for eight years language, said she was glad the children gath- in a row this cultural event. He added that ered and emphasized that it is important to the project aims to preserve, nurture and pro- have even more events like this so as not mote the Romani language through this cul- to lose the mother tongue. “Children want tural event.

Association “Phralipe - N. Sad” is a non-governmental, non-profit organi- zation, registered with the Ministry for Human and Minority Rights in Bel- grade. Ten people on a voluntary basis founded “Phralipe - N. Sad”. Associa- tion puts special emphasis of its activi- ties in the field of functional literacy of active people aged 15 to 40 years, who failed to get educated in the statutory deadline.

Trifun Dimić was born in a small town in Vojvodina, in Gospođinci, on February 29, 1956. His entire life was dedicated to his Roma people and their cultural emancipation by spending days and nights over books. His con- tribution to the development of the Romani language and culture is almost immeasurable. He was one of the biggest Roma researchers, not only domestic but also worldwide. The work he left behind is grandiose in scope and content. In the creative opus of Trifun Dimić, there is a huge range of subject areas dealt with. He has done a lot in each, and clearly paved the way for his successors.

Ljiljana Maričić Culture 23 THE 5000th RADIO SHOW "ROMANO THEM" OFFICIALLY MARKED

At the Stone Hall of Radio Belgrade, the 5000th radio show Romano Them (Roma World) was officially marked, which has been broadcast for 15 years on Radio Belgrade. This show carries events information, news, reports and interviews in Roma and .

About the show Speakers at the Ceremony

Romano them brings the most important education, problems that Roma face daily, as news every day, from domestically and well as stories from lives of the Roma. “We are from abroad, in Romani and Serbian. It trying to depict the Roma in a different light. deals with topics from the life of Roma, Data say that Radio Belgrade has around 200 showing the efforts and measures taken 000 listeners at every moment, and the number for the emancipation and integration of does not drop down, even while others are los- Europe’s largest minority community. ing their radio programs. We want to connect with other Romani media in the world and es- It broadcasts issues concerning the tablish exchange programs, which would further Roma and, in a specific way, sensitizes enrich our content, but this is just an idea at the the public to the problems of this moment. We’ll see what happens”, Đurić said. population. He added that positive examples of Roma are more numerous, especially with the young and “The program initially lasted for 30 minutes, educated, and that he, as editor, insists on the now being 40 minutes long, with a team that fact that such examples should be emphasized. has only four members and one part-time as- sociates. We manage to fill up a program that Celebration deals not only with Roma at the local level and “The Romano them show was started be- this is something that adds special charm to this cause the Roma in Belgrade have had a long tra- program”, says proudly Branko Đurić, editor of dition”, said its first editor Dragoljub Acković. It Romano Them. Topics of our shows are culture, started in 1935 with newspaper, got continued Culture 24 Culture

in 1981 with a radio show by Studio B in Romani continuously since 2001. “This show has a much language, and then with the radio show Roma broader dimension because we are talking about World. Acković expressed hope that other coun- Roma national community, which is located on tries will, as Serbia, introduce daily programs the socio-economic, cultural, political and any for the Roma. He congratulated the entire news- other margins,” said Jovanović. room on its 15th work anniversary. President of the Association of Journalists of Director of Radio Belgrade, Milivoje Mihajlović Serbia, Nino Brajović, said that this is a special said that the Romano them show has a task to Jubilee, not only for this small newsroom, but spread the voice of the Roma in Serbia and added also for the great news broadcast house, such there are plans to broadcast in other minority is Radio Belgrade. “This news program best il- languages. He stressed that 5000 radio shows are lustrates the fact that Roma are persistent and a proof a great effort has been invested in the persevering and educated and have a strong de- Roma World and that it performs a great mission. sire to share and produce what they do with all “Radio Belgrade has recognized the need for citizens of Serbia, by emitting a bilingual pro- the show as a bridge between the Roma commu- gram,” concluded Brajović. nity and other citizens of Serbia,” said the editor The head of the expert group for the Roma in chief of Radio Belgrade, Biljana Vujasinović Inclusion, Goran Bašić, nominated this show for Zec. a prize for tolerance because it gives a genuine Director of the Roma Inclusion Office, Duško contribution to democratic values. Jovanović thanked the Radio Belgrade since it initiated for such a show to have been broadcast Tijana Čubrilo

25 History DIFFERENT NAMES FOR THE ROMA PEOPLE Nowadays, there are various names for the Roma. We could divide them into two groups. In the first group, there are names that the Roma gave to themselves according to different meanings. In the other group are names for the Roma, given by other people.

Romani names (*that the Roma gave to themselves)

Name Meaning Note *Remark: where “Gypsy” stands, it says “Roma’’ Argintari Craftsmen processing Romania silver Ashkali Montenegro, Kosovo, FYR of Macedonia: don’t speak Romani Aurari Wash gold Romania Beticos Andalusian Roma who speak Castilian, permanently settled in houses-caves or town houses in the city of Granada and Guadix Bashalde Musicians Descendants of '' Slovak-Hungarian '' Roma in America Bosha Roma in Armenia who call themselves the Lom; mostly centrally-Romany dialect and Armenian (also Population of the Vlach Roma widespread Bayash and throughout Europe and the Americas, who are Beyash) descendants of miners and have a Romanian dialect as their mother tongue instead of Romani dialect Chergars Live under tents Albania (Grabian), nomads, “Turkish” Roma Çingene Turkey Chivuts Cleaners Romania (Spoitoresele) Churara Churi = Knife; Known for making dishes and other kitchen utensils made of aluminum and wood Costorari Tinsmiths Romania (Kostorari) Cutitari (Kutitari) Lathes Known for sharpening all types of blades, scissors, knives, and anything with a metal blade (Romania) Dzambas exchange / trading / Makedonija dealing with horses and acrobats

26 FYR of Macedonia Bugarska Erlide Bulgaria Erlije Turkish Roma Erlije Turkish Roma Ferari (Herari) Process metals Traditional blacksmiths, craftsmen for carriage reparation, and today many repair metal containers in Romania Gabori Traditionally produce and repair furnaces, thermos and water bottles (for hot water) ('Romanians'') Gelderari Germany; i.e. the Grastari Bulgaria, aka Lovara, exchange, trade, dealing with horses Hungaros The Kalderash in Spain, originate from Central Europe Jenishe Germany Kabuji Albania (Tirana) Kalderash Coin copper Black Spain, Roma Kantarai Those who measure Walachia, Moldavia the weight of something Kirpachi Basketers (knit, Romania make baskets) Kobzari Goldsmiths Walachia/Moldavia Kopanari Speak Romanian, Roma – Bulgarian Christians Kotorara live in tents in the Carpathian forests and hills on the outskirts of the Ukrainian plains Kovachs Smiths Romanians call them this way, although Kovach is Slavic name Lajesh Member of the horde Romania Laler "dumb", (translation Germany is mute, dumb), but the real meaning is “speaks in other dialect”, does not speak “our way” Lautari Musicians; Romania, who were previously in Turkey and the exclusively violinists Arab countries Lingurari Spoon makers make wooden spoons, rolling pins and all kinds of blades; Romania Lovara Horse traders Machvaja ‘the real Rom’; say they are from Mačva in Serbia Mango Montenegro, Kosovo, Macedonia; do not speak Romani Manush The “French” Roma; have the French accent History 27 Photo source: the net

Mechkari Albania (Tirana) Mestere-Lacatuči Make keys (turnkeys), locks and bolts (Romania) Netotsi Got away from slavery, live in the Carpathian Padureani Foresters Walachia/Moldavia Potcovari Blowers and farriers (Romania) Rlia Albania; do not speak Romani Rom Northern Europe (especially Britain), Roma (Romnichal, Romnichel) Romungro Roma who speak Romani- Hungarian Miners Miners in Romania, but do not speak Romani; Slovenian name miners; also called Ludari Miners (Ludari, Make wooden spoons, troughs, wooden sieves, Blidari, Lingurari) borehole spindles (pulleys), the tools that are used to wash gold Salahori Masons Romania Sfirnari Traditionally traders of animals and trainers (Romania) Shoshoraja with hunters=rabbits copper smiths Germany History 28 History

Sitari today are known for making dishes, rolling pins and other cooking equipment (Romania) Bear tamers The Balkans Viremen serve, train, cook, in Romania Xoraxane Turkish or Muslim Roma, Bulgaria (near Sliven) Xoraxai Roma from the Middle East (Turkey and Arab countries) Jevkos Albania, Macedonia; do not speak Romani Tsingaros The Kalderash in Spain, who had come from central Europe Goldsmiths Goldsmiths Slovenian name

Names for the Roma from the other people (* as they were called by other nations)

Name Note/source "Fools styled Greek Bohemians" Adsincani Georgian form of Atsinganoi Athingani In Greek, "do not touch", 'do not touch'

29 History

Atzinganoi Greece Bohemians Cadegipti Italy Cascarots The French Basques Cigani The Slavs Ciganyok The Hungarians Cikan The Czechs Cingali Italy Cinguli Italy Cyganie Polish Czygenier German Egyptians Giofog The Irish Gaelic Gipcyan England; transitional form of ''Egyptian'' toward ''gypsy'' Gipson England; transitional form of ''Egyptian'' toward ''gypsy'' Španski Gitano Spanish Greeks Heiden (Heathens) Germany Jats Turkish Jews Kibtian Turkish Luri, Luli Farsi for ‘gypsies’ Manouches French name in France– Manush Nuri (plural Nawar) Syria, Palestine, Egypt, a variant of Luri, Luli Pharaones (pharaoh's people) Hungary, Transylvania Romiti Saracens France Tatarre (Tartars) Swedish Tsiganes French Ţsigani Romanian Turks Zegynen In Zigeni German Zigenari Zigeuner German Zingari Italian Zotti (plural – Zott) Zott is a form in Arabic of Jat, the word / name that means ' Indian tribe '; Persian term for 'gypsies'; and also for Hindus who live in the valleys

 www.ric.org.rs

30 History ORIGIN OF THE WORD ROMA

andering tribes in vari- Wous circum- stances and times were given different names. Roma have been persecuted for centu- ries in different envi- ronments and periods. Consequently, given the diverse names starting with Afghanistan in the east, all the way to Brit- ain in the west. In Afghani- stan, the Roma are known names have a sense of them- the Roma who came to Europe as Cowley, in Turkmenistan selves and that their name was from Egypt. as Multani, Gvodari in Egypt, Roma. Factual documents date The Roma are an ethnic in Palestine as Nuri, in Persia back to the seventh century. Indian minority, mostly Aryan. and Azerbaijan, the Rome are Paspati, a prominent research- Rom means a man, and this still indicated by the name of er of Roma, assumed that the is the meaning of the word Karak, which means beggar in word comes from the word Manush (the basis of the word Turkish. In Turkey, the Roma Rama, which is the incarnation is Man, which in Sanskrit means are called Çingenelers, Kipts, of the god Vishnu, which, in the the movement of mind and by the name of Old Egyptian opinion of Kohanovski means thought). The people called Copt tribe. In some docu- the Roma are descendants of Roma or Roman are mentioned ments, they are called Mori, Rama. In addition, Roma as in Mahabharata in the Vishnu and in the fourteenth century the root of the word in Sanskrit Puranas. However, except for a theory was created accord- is located in compounds that the Roma, other people do not ing to which the word Roma is mean people with long hair and exist in India or elsewhere in an anagram of the word Amor. beard. The root can be linked the world. In Spain and Portugal, people with the name choice. At the First World Roma called them Caracos. It is a The first use of the word Congress, held from 6 - 8 April derogatory name that signi- Roma is recorded in 1100 as 1971 in London, decisions were fies thieves and vagabonds. Atsincana based on the Greek made on the issue of emanci- In the Basque Country, they word Athigganien, which means pation and the affirmation of had a mocking name Cascar- “do not touch”, which was the Roma in the world and do- ot, meaning miserable human transformed into Atsinganein, mestically. As part of the deci- skin. In the UK, they are known in order to definitely obtain sions made, the name of Roma as Gypsies. name the Gypsy. This name (Gypsies) for all members of There are indications quickly lost its streak and was the Roma people in the world that in Europe in the fifth cen- replaced by the term “Egyp- was made official. tury, it was known that these tian”, a name that is related to www.ric.org.rs

31 Foto: Internet