Integration of the Roma is hopeless without the active participation of the minority, Minister of Human Resources Zoltán Balog stated at the seminar entitled “The situation of Roma in Europe – Finnish and Hungarian Experiences, European Answers”, with the participation of Ambassador of Finland Pasi Tuominen, Finnish MP Pekka Haavisto, Head of the Finnish Education Agency Aulis Pitkälä, and President Henna Huttu and CEO Tino Varjola from the Fintiko Romano Forum.
The Minister stated that in Hungary only half of children living in extreme poverty are Roma and that women can participate in the Government’s programs for integration while still pregnant. A basic endeavour is to facilitate the integration of children with the help of their parents, he added.
He pointed out that in case of the Biztos Kezdet (Sure Start) project, helping children from infancy to acquire a degree, the Government aims to ensure continuity through ensuring the required financial and legal basis. The Minister highlighted that as of 1 January 2014 kindergarten will be mandatory for children from the age of three. However, exceptions may be made in certain cases, he added. In order to decrease the number of school leavers, scholarships will be offered to motivate parents.
Minister Balog stated that in cooperation with the University of Pécs Romology department, the contents on a university course on Roma culture and history have been laid out, while peaceful cohabitation is included in ethics education.
Finnish lawmaker and Roma expert Pekka Haavisto said that his country had introduced anti-discrimination programmes both at municipal and national level. He stressed the importance of cooperation between public administration and the Roma, as well as the latter's participation in inclusion programmes. Finland is also putting pressure on Romania and Bulgaria to ensure fundamental rights for their Roma citizens, he said, insisting that a lack of such rights is what makes Roma people emigrate to foreign countries.
(Ministry of Human Resources)
