Global Round Table Meeting Report

As Chair of NATT+ Roma Group, I had the unique privilege of attending the 2011 Global Round Table Meeting in Budapest on 20-22nd October. The focus of this year’s discussion was the “Sustainability of Culture-the greatest challenge of the 21st Century” including preserving and protecting minority ethnic cultures. The members of the group were very high profile with years of experience in European political and social affairs, including eminent professors and scholars from the world of art and science as well as human rights lawyers. The meeting was opened by the Secretary of State for Hungary and was held in the beautiful Hungarian Parliament Building.

Throughout the day the discussions focussed on the key issues around the meaning and importance of culture and the important role it plays in human existence. For example:

• How is cultural relevance related to socio-economic activity?
• When should a culture change and adapt? How can we preserve the best?
• Do technology and education strengthen, weaken or develop cultural values in a globalised world?
• How do we understand minority cultures? Why is marginalisation of minority cultures so widely accepted?
• Are minority cultures considered assets or tolerated only?
• What kind of policies and laws are needed to provide sustainable support for minority cultures eg positive discrimination?

A short report, book and DVD will be produced on the conclusions of the meeting and given to key EU leaders and politicians in order to influence future policy decisions and funding programmes.

As a representative of NATT+ my main aim was to raise the issue of the Roma minority in Europe, to highlight the serious concerns regarding the treatment of this community and also to suggest ways of supporting and maintaining their culture and heritage. Amongst the delegates there was certainly mixed opinions and knowledge about the Roma situation and at times it felt like the Roma issue was the “elephant in the room” with some of the delegates being more concerned about other minority groups in Europe (for example, the minority Hungarian population living in Romania). However, I was able to raise the concerns of NATT+ and highlight the good practice that is going on in the UK in certain regions with respect to Roma issues. Certainly, some of the delegates, including a human rights lawyer and a sociology professor were very interested to learn more about the good practice going on in the UK and I have made some good contacts for the future for NATT+.

These contacts will be useful and link nicely with the proposed NATT+ visit to Budapest in May 2012. I had an early planning meeting with Andrew Ryder (former ITMB member) to discuss this trip and he has applied for funding to support it with the view to holding a Conference at the University in Budapest at the end of the stay. The trip will include a meeting with the Roma Education Foundation, meeting and networking with NGOs and visits to schools in and around Budapest where there is a significant Roma population.

As part of my input to the Global Round Table I was asked to submit a one page document with three key issues that I would like to highlight as a result of the discussions. Please see NATT+ website for this.

Natalie Stables, NATT+ Chair Roma Group, November 2011