MINELRES: EUMAP News and Call for Papers: "Overcoming Exclusion: The Roma Decade"

[MINELRES moderator]

Original sender: Joost van Beek <jbeek@osi.hu>


1. NEW EUMAP CALL FOR PAPERS: Overcoming Exclusion: The Roma Decade (due
5 June 2005)

2. ARTICLES ONLINE AT EUMAP.ORG 

3. CURRENT EUMAP MONITORING 
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1. OVERCOMING EXCLUSION: THE ROMA DECADE - NEW EUMAP CALL FOR PAPERS! 

On 2 February 2005 the Governments of eight Central and South-East
European countries officially launched the Decade for Roma Inclusion.
The Decade grew out of a high-level conference "Roma in an Expanding
Europe: Challenges for the Future," hosted by the Government of Hungary
in June 2003. The conference was organised by the Open Society
Institute, the World Bank, and the European Commission, with support
from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the Council of
Europe Development Bank, and the Governments of Finland and Sweden. The
Decade is a ten-year initiative to overcome deep-rooted problem of
exclusion of Europe's largest and most disadvantaged minority, through
coordinated efforts by Governments and international organisations in
partnership with Roma. To this end, most of the participating
Governments have adopted or are in process of adopting National Action
Plans (NAPs) in each of the outlined Decade priority areas: education,
employment, health and housing.

While it is still early to talk about the actual impact of the Decade,
an ongoing assessment of experiences to date and lessons learned is
necessary to ensure the most effective implementation of the Decade's
goals. EUMAP.ORG invites articles and opinion pieces on the Roma Decade.
Both comparative analysis and presentation of national case studies
critically assessing community experiences are welcome. Authors may
focus on the key issues outlined in the Decade goals, but are also
welcome to add other pertinent issues that may be necessary to consider
for assuring the success of the Decade. 

Papers are invited on one of the following themes:

The Decade - aspirations and reality: While a lot of hope is placed in
this much-needed and long-overdue initiative, some sceptical voices have
also been raised. For example, some Romani leaders repeatedly and
vociferously criticised the development of a "Roma industry", whereby
the availability of grants could stimulate a mushrooming of projects and
organisations intended to "benefit" the Roma, yet which have limited -
or even no - real impact on the intended beneficiaries. What should the
Decade offer to be distinct, credible and effective? 

Monitoring and evaluation: In recent years - particularly under pressure
from the EU to fulfil the political criteria for EU accession - most
Central and East European Governments have adopted National Programmes
or Strategies aimed at improving the situation of Roma. However, to
date, little has been done on the official level to ensure effective
monitoring and evaluation of their impact. What lessons can be learned
from this, and what should be done differently with respect to
effectively monitoring the implementation of the Decade goals - in
particular at the "grass roots" level? 

Ethnic data: The availability of accurate disaggregated data is
indispensable for both developing and implementing minority-oriented
initiatives. To what extent can the adopted programmes and NAPs for the
Decade rely on adequate statistical and qualitative data? Which
indicators are most essential for measuring the Decade's impact? How can
the multiple issues surrounding ethnic data collection and processing
best be addressed in different countries? 

Gender inequality: Gender has been identified as a cross-cutting theme
in the outlined Decade priorities. In fact, Roma - as any society - are
an internally diverse group, and women and girls are often doubly
disadvantaged. Do the adopted NAPs or programmes take gender aspect into
sufficient consideration? What policy responses have been developed to
address different needs of minority women and girls? 

Participation: Ensuring minority participation has been a consistent
recommendation made by a host of international and national bodies and
NGOs advocating minority rights. However, has Romani participation been
genuine at all stages of programme and project design, implementation
and assessment? Or has "participation" been limited to the presence of
token personalities and shelved? If so - how can increased and quality
participation be ensured in future?

Quality papers will be featured on the Program's website (www.eumap.org)
with the intention of framing and encouraging debate on this issue. 

Papers in English should be between 1,500-2,000 words. Accepted authors
will receive an honorarium of EUR 200. 

Papers should be submitted by 5 June 2005. Please send papers to:
submissions@eumap.org. Contact person: Joost van Beek.

Eumap.org editorial policy is available online at
http://www.eumap.org/journal/editpolicy; an archive of featured articles
is at http://www.eumap.org/journal/features.
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2. ARTICLES ONLINE AT EUMAP.ORG 

The European Union: Balancing Democratic Deficit? 

"Democratic deficit" has become almost a cliche in theoretical and
political discourse about the European Union. But how just is it? 

EUMAP was pleased to recently publish four articles devoted to analysis
of the EU's - perceived or real - democratic deficit. 

To access these articles and other published papers, go to:
http://www.eumap.org/journal/features/2005/demodef/

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3. EUMAP CURRENT MONITORING

Eumap.org is an online centre for comprehensive resources, news, and
analyses, committed to delivering information on, and generating debate
about, human rights and the rule of law in Europe. EUMAP.ORG is the
website of the Open Society Institute's EU Monitoring and Advocacy
Program. 

To find out more about the Program view: http://www.eumap.org/about

EUMAP has recently commenced a new monitoring project:

Access to Quality Education for Roma 
More information about the project is available online at:
http://www.eumap.org/journal/announcements/romaed/

EUMAP is currently also monitoring: 

Access to Education and Employment for People with Intellectual
Disabilities (in cooperation with OSI's Mental Health Initiative/MHI) 

Broadcasting Regulation and Media Independence (in cooperation with
OSI's Network Media Program/NMP) 

EUMAP has published reports on: 

Minority Protection (in the five largest EU members and ten candidate
countries) 
Corruption and Anti Corruption Policy 
Judicial Independence and Capacity 
Equal Opportunities for Men and Women (in cooperation with OSI's Network
Women's Program/NWP) 
To contact EUMAP or receive further information on our activities,
please send us an email at eumap@osi.hu.