The European Institute for Roma Art and Culture (ERIAC) announces the organization of the training course "Roma(ni) Past - Europe's Future. Why Embracing EU's Largest Ethnic Minority Matters" on September 13, 2023 at the Western University of Timișoara, Romania. The event is addressed to the Romanian authorities, the National Contact Point for Roma (the integrated structure of the Ministry of Investments and European Projects), as well as the general public.

The event is occasioned by the fact that, as a result of the new European Strategic Framework for Roma (EU Rome Strategic Framework) and the adoption of the Council Recommendation for the equality, inclusion and participation of the Roma, Romania committed to implement measures aimed at combating, reducing and eliminating discrimination by raising awareness and to train employees from the public administration and other institutions regarding the recognition, identification and approach of discrimination and its causes, including aantigypsyism (anti-Gypsyism) and unconscious bias (unconscious bias).

The positive experiences of the last years within ERIACNET4EU and the fact that ERIAC is the beneficiary of funding from the European Commission inspired the organization in Timișoara of the training on the culture and history of the Roma, in the context of the designation of Timișoara as the Cultural Capital in 2023.

The Romanian authorities are invited to participate in the session dedicated to the history and culture of the Roma in Romania, as a starting point to reflect on the social, political, cultural and economic importance of positioning the Roma at the center of EU public debates. The course will explore issues, sensitivities or controversies related to the Roma community and help identify and incorporate human rights concerns into the work of public officials.

Participation is open and free. Pre-registration is required – you can register by visiting the following link: Eriac . The event will be organized in a hybrid format (physical and online), in English and Romanian (with simultaneous translation).