Challenging prejudices Roma Realities wants to challenge these prejudices. It documents that the reality of Roma is diverse and has many contrasting facets. Roma can be rich or poor, traditional or modern. They can be doctors, mayors, police officers or lawyers, just as they can be homeless, street vendors, unemployed, or migrant workers. A core message the exhibition seeksto convey is that the situation of Roma cannot be understood by pointing to ancient traditions or ingrained habits. It rather depends on the opportunities and obstacles Roma encounter as participants in social life.

Inclusion through education Access to quality education is a key to improving life perspectives for the Roma, and therefore a priority of the Roma Decade. A big challenge is to move from segregated schools «for Roma only» to a system where Ro¬ma and non-Roma children share the same class room, benefit from the same level of services, and have the chance to learn together and from each other.

The full photo series can be found on: www.sdc.admin.ch/Roma. More on the Roma Decade: www.romadecade.org Contact: Swiss Cooperation Office, Str. Maksim Gorki no.19, 1000 Skopje, Macedonia, tel: 389 2 310 33 40 fax: 389 2 310 33 41 e-mail: [email protected] www.swisscooperation.org.mk

ROMA DEMOCRATIC DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION

“SONCE”

TETOVO

Roma Realities in Macedonia: Action Needed

A Photo Exhibition on the Situation of Roma in Southeast Europe Today

Skopje, 19-29 May 2008, Square Macedonia

Loyalty is a value that Roma are recognized for in Macedonia. But is loyalty silent acceptance of the marginalization? Or should it be struggle for the development of the community, and through that the overall society? The moment has come to act upon the policies targeting Roma and lead the Roma community towards the long desired development. Travelling photo exhibition Roma Realities documents the situation of Roma in Southeast Europe and promotes the objectives of the Roma targeting policies – the National Strategy for Roma and the Decade of Roma Inclusion 2005 – 2015. Roma Realities exhibits the results of Swiss photographer Yves Leresche’s research among the Roma in Albania, Bulgaria, Kosovo, Macedonia, Romania and Serbia from 2006 to 2008. The exhibition was produced by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) in cooperation with local partners, including Roma Democratic Development Association “Sonce” and the Municipality of Skopje. Roma - largest minority in Europe With an estimated population of 8-10 million, the Roma are the larg¬est and fastest growing minority in Europe. In Macedonia there are

National Strategy for Roma: Adopted in January 2005 by the Government of Macedonia the National Strategy for Roma proposes measures to improve Roma inclusion in several core areas: education, employment, health, political participation, protection of human rights and discrimination issues, rights of Romani women, culture and media. The strategy highlights the need for disaggregated statistical data, explores the local self-government as a primary implementation level and underlines the importance of real participation of the Romani civil society in the process. The Roma Decade is regarded part of the National Strategy for Roma. 54’000 Roma, representing 2.66% of the overall population. The Macedonian Constitution recognizes the Roma as citizens with equal rights. They are a constitutional people of the state, together with other peoples. Despite this advantageous legal position the Roma are the most marginalized group in Macedonia and significantly poorer that the non-Roma population. Over a third of the Roma live in houses that are not fulfilling the

minimal housing standards. One quarter of the Roma community over age of 15 is illiterate. The rate of unemployment is almost double the national average. In addition to social and economic marginalisation Roma are suffering of direct discrimination and deep rooted stereotypes and prejudices by the non-Roma population. «Akava si miro: so xalǒm, so pilǒm, so siklilǒm – manθar nikon naśti te lel les.» Whatever I ate, whatever I drank, whatever I learnt is mine and nobody can take it away from me. Romani Proverb Adequate resources and real action The authorities of the Republic of Macedonia have recognized the gap that separates the Roma from the non-Roma population and are aware that marginalization causes problems not only for the Roma but for the society as a whole. In consequence, policies for a better integration of Roma into society were developed. These policies - the National Strategy for Roma and the Decade of Roma Inclusion 2005-2015 – are an important step to improve the situation of the Roma community in

Macedonia. But they are not sufficient as long as they simply remain a declaration of intent. They urgently need to be translated into concrete action. Recognition on paper is not enough for change – it needs serious commitment accompanied with adequate resources and real action in order to improve the situation of the Roma - and through this, the situation of the overall society. Goals of the Roma Decade: The Decade of Roma Inclusion 2005-2015 is a commitment by governments in Central and South Eastern Europe to improve the socio-economic status and social inclusion of Roma within a regional framework. The Republic of Macedonia is among the nine states which have signed the declaration in 2005. The Decade – supported by the World Bank and international donors including the Switzerland – endeavors to improve the access of Roma to education, employment, health, and housing. It commits governments to take concrete measures based on National Action Plans. Poverty, discrimination, and gender mainstreaming are also taken into consideration.