Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said, on Monday, on the International Day of the Roma and the Celebration of the Roma Ethnicity in Romania, that this day is an opportunity to see “what remains to be done” for all citizens, regardless of ethnicity, to live better . The Prime Minister reaffirmed the Government's commitment to promote tolerance.
Ciolacu: I wish the Romanian citizens of Roma ethnicity: Happy birthday! PHOTO Inquam Photos / George Călin
“Today, we mark two events dedicated to citizens belonging to the Roma ethnic group: “International Day of the Roma” and “Celebration of the Roma Ethnicity in Romania”. It is a good opportunity to note, on the one hand, the peculiarities of the Roma culture, which has enriched our cultural heritage, economy and Romanian society, and, on the other hand, to see what we still have to do so that all citizens, regardless of ethnicity, to live better in Romania. From the moment of the introduction of measures to facilitate Roma access to high school and university education in the 1990s until the adoption, in 2001, of the first government strategy in Europe dedicated to improving the situation of Roma, Romania became one of the first countries to adopt concrete social inclusion measures and combating discrimination against Roma people. The measures already implemented have encouraged access to education for Roma youth, reduced discrimination and improved the living conditions of Roma communities“, Marcel Ciolacu said.
According to the prime minister, currently, a series of dedicated instruments and institutions meet the identity, cultural, economic and social aspirations of the Roma.
“A basic pillar in the process of improving the quality of life of Roma people is the adoption of Government Decision no. 560/28.04.2022 for the approval of the Romanian Government Strategy for the inclusion of Romanian citizens belonging to the Roma minority for the period 2022-2027. Through the Strategy, measures such as the introduction of the optional subject “History, slavery and deportation of Roma” into the school curriculum became possible. A proof of the progress in achieving our objectives of combating discrimination is the adoption of the law on the establishment of the National Museum of the History and Culture of the Roma in Romania”, said Marcel Ciolacu, assuring that the Government supports the realization of this project.
The Prime Minister emphasized that the involvement of Roma people in the development and implementation of public policies will contribute to increasing trust and mutual respect.
“On the occasion of this day, I want to reaffirm the commitment of the Government of Romania to promote tolerance and to assure you of the consistency of efforts in combating racism, xenophobia, discrimination and hate speech. The involvement of Roma people in the development and implementation of public policies addressed to them will lead to an increase in trust and mutual respect. Diversity is an imperative element in society, especially in light of the global events of recent years, which have reminded us how much empathy weighs both in times of crisis and in the everyday life of a society. With understanding and respect for diversity, we fight stereotypes and prejudices step by step so that, together, regardless of ethnicity, we live in a more inclusive, modern society attached to European values”stated the head of the Executive, sending a happy birthday to the Romanian citizens of Roma ethnicity.
Moreover, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu announced that he met on Monday, on International Roma Day, with a group of young people who had outstanding results in education, congratulating them on their achievements.
“On the occasion of International Roma Day, I had the pleasure of meeting a team of talented young people who achieved outstanding results both in education, culture and sports. I congratulate these hardworking young people for their achievements and ambition to be the best in their fields”, the prime minister wrote on his Facebook page, adding that the official ball of the European Football Championship was given to a young man named Mihai, “Olympian in the Romanian language and a big fan of the king's sport“.
