MINELRES: New publication: PILI - "Separate and Unequal; Combating Discrimination against Roma in Education"

[MINELRES moderator]

Original sender: European Roma Rights Center <errc@errc.org>


The Public Interest Law Initiative is pleased to announce the
publication 
of a new source book entitled: "Separate and Unequal; Combating 
Discrimination against Roma in Education".

The book represents a collection of essays which document the struggle
for the integration of schools in Central and Eastern Europe. Taken
together, they aim to elucidate the complexity of the phenomenon of
educational segregation. The issue is explored from a number of
different
perspectives: the relationship of segregation to discrimination, early
efforts to integrate education in Bulgaria and Hungary, tools for
advocating change and pedagogical issues. Contributors include both
Romani and non-Romani leaders of the first desegregation efforts in
Europe and a wide range of other experts.

The book is divided into five sections, each section comprising a number
of essays by different authors.


1. The Nature of Educational Segregation

Patterns of Segregation of Roma in Education in Central and Eastern
Europe by Savelina Danova - 
The European Roma Rights Center (ERRC) carried out a study mapping
common practices of segregation of Romani school children in five
countries: Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia.
This article outlines the main findings of the study and the proposed
policy measures for desegregation programs in those countries.

Desegregation of Romani Education: Challenges and Successes by Rumyan
Russinov - 
This article considers a project in Bulgaria which has fought to
overcome many of the misconceptions that have stood in the way of Romani
integration in schools, and the lessons which can be learned from this
project.

>From Segregated to Integrated Education of the Roma in Europe by 
Dimitrina Petrova - 
A presentation of the patterns of segregation as they exist in 
various countries around Central and Eastern Europe, and proposals for 
mechanisms for desegregation.

The Fight Against Segregation in the United States by Jack Greenberg and 
Maxine Sleeper  
An outline of the path of desegregation in the United States, with its
many obstacles and struggles, and a comparative look at the European
approach to desegregation.

2.  Segregation and Anti-discrimination Law and Policy

A Brief Overview: European Legislative Framework for Anti-discrimination 
Policies by Maxine Sleeper  An overview of EU anti-discrimination laws, 
their implementation, and the importance of the laws in fighting 
segregation in education.

Anti-discrimination Law in the Netherlands: Experiences of the First
Seven Years by Jenny E. Goldschmidt  
An overview and analysis of the Equal Treatment Commission in the
Netherlands during the first seven years of
its operation.

Anti-discrimination Legislation in Romania: Moving toward Enforcement
and 
Implementation by Dezideriu Gergely  
An exploration of the history of the legal framework for combating
discrimination in Romania, identifying some 
of the missing concepts in the law and demonstrating how the law is now
implemented and utilized by Romanian human rights activists and lawyers.

Anti-discrimination Laws at Work in Romania by Romanita Iordache  
This article presents a hypothetical claim and walks the reader through
ways in which a case can be brought and pursued under Romanias newly
implemented anti-discrimination laws, as well as what the likely
outcomes might be.

3. Strategies for School Desegregation

Advocacy Strategies to Combat Segregation by Iulius Rostas and Mona 
Nicoara  
This article presents detailed information on how a variety of advocacy
strategies have been deployed to advocate for desegregation, from
international and regional pressure to project development to
campaigning 
around legal action.

Segregated Schools under International Law by Robert Kushen  
This article identifies various relevant international human rights
instruments and discusses how these relate to provisions such as the
right to education, freedom from inhuman and degrading treatment, and
the right to equal protection.

Combating Segregation in Education through Litigation: Reflections on
the 
Experience to Date by James A. Goldston and Ivan Ivanov  
An exploration of the experience of combating segregation through
litigation, with a particular focus on the obstacles and lessons to
consider when bringing a case to court.

Desegregating Roma Schools in Romania: A Cost-Benefit Analysis by Mihai 
Surdu  
An illustration of the inferior quality of education in segregated
schools in Romania and indications of the ways in which the segregation
of Romani pupils presents a major obstacle to their enjoyment of equal 
educational opportunities.

4. Models of Integration Programs

Local Initiatives: Desegregation in Bulgaria by Krassimir Kanev and
Kalinka Vassileva  
This article provides a history of segregation in education of the Roma
in Bulgaria and discusses the legislative framework that provided the
foundation for Bulgaria's integration program.

Government Initiatives: Hungary's School Integration Program by
Vikt�ria Moh�csi  
An outline of the government initiated and supported school integration
program in Hungary, explaining the means by which budgetary policy can
positively influence integration in education, and providing
recommendations to ensure the future success of the program.

"Constituting the Class": An Analysis of the Process of "Integration"in 
South African Schools by Crain Soudien  
An examination of the process of integration in South Africa's schools,
addressing questions relating to education as a vehicle for social
change and the assimilation which has taken place in South Africa.

New Solutions to Old Problems: Models of Integration from the United
States by Jack Greenberg  
This article addresses some of the innovative models being used in the
United States to integrate schools in the absence of court-ordered
desegregation. The article provides a useful means of determining which
integration programs might be useful in certain contexts.

5. Curricular Aspects of Integration

Strategies to Promote the Successful Integration of Romani Students in
the School System by Angela Kocze and Dawn Tankersley  
An analysis of a project initiated in five countries as part of the Open
Society Institute "Step by Step Program", aiming to develop solutions to
the problem of high failure rates and segregation of Roma in education.

A Pearl of a School by Robert Blezard  
This article presents an example of a school in Washington, DC where
students of different races, economic 
backgrounds and language ability learn and play together in an
academically rigorous environment.

Native American Education: A System in Need of Reform by Alison McKinney 
Brown  
An explanation of the greatest challenges facing Native American
education today, using case studies and proposed models for providing a
culturally sensitive and relevant education for Native American
students.


The compilation of this volume was inspired by a seminar and training
held in June 2003 titled "Combating Discrimination in Education". The
seminar was implemented in partnership with the Roma Participation
Program of the Open Society Institute, and was held in Hungary. The
event brought together young Romani NGO leaders and a diverse group of
experts including advocates and human rights lawyers. The aim was to
both promote discussion and to develop the skills of Romani
organizations in advocating for educational integration. The resulting
discussions were intellectually exciting and inspired, creating the
motivation to continue the process with the compilation of this book.
Since the initial seminar, a number of follow up events have been
organized in co-operation with the European Roma Rights Center (ERRC) in
Slovakia, Serbia, Croatia and Hungary, as well as an event co-sponsored
by the Embassy of South Africa in Budapest. It is hoped that this book
will become a useful tool to facilitate the continuation of this
valuable work.

We hope that the information presented in "Separate and Unequal;
Combating Discrimination against Roma in Education" will also become a
useful and constructive resource for scholars, legal practitioners, NGO
activists, government and ministry officials and all those working
towards promoting the essential reforms necessary to further the cause
of integration in education for Roma children.

PILI would like to extend sincere thanks to all the donors and partners
who have supported our initiatives in this field to date. In particular,
special thanks are extended to the Roma Participation Project of the
Open Society Institute, the European Roma Rights Center, Rockefeller
Brothers Fund, the Mott Foundation and the Embassy of South Africa.

The Source Book can be viewed on PILI's website, www.pili.org.
Additional copies of the Source Book, in addition to other PILI
publications, can be ordered from: Columbia University Budapest Law
Center; Szent Istvan ter 11/c; 1051 Budapest, Hungary; pili@pili.org.