Väinö Lindberg spoke about the situation of Roma in Turku. Measures targeting Roma were introduced as early as the 1970s, in cooperation with the local Lutheran church. The city council had adopted a strategy for Roma integration as well as equality plans, and they encompassed all branches of life.
We then met various representatives of Roma NGOs:
Tuula Åkerlund from Romani Missio ry.
This organisation was the oldest in Finland and has 400 members. They offered advice on housing, employment, education and social issues. They awarded scholarships and had two large houses for children. They also provided information to schools and local authorities. Moreover, they published a newspaper called Romani boodos ("Romani message"). The funds came from local municipalities and churches. They were currently working on a project which targeted women in prisons. The aim was to prevent crime among imprisoned women and offer a rehabilitative programme. The results had been excellent.
Tiina Pirttilahti from the Finnish Roma Association.
This organisation was created in 1976 and currently had volunteers and one employee. They offered consultation to Roma, gave lectures and published books. They often worked with other NGOs (for example, on a project on domestic violence). Now they had two projects: one for elderly Roma (that we visited the previous day) and one for young people.
Tino Varjola from the National Roma Forum of Finland (Suomen Romanifoorumi ry).
The Forum was established in 2007 and now included 8 NGOs. Their main activity was capacity building for NGOs, such as training in how to apply for funds. They also cooperated with ecclesiastical bodies and were involved in Roma policy in Finland. In general, Finnish Roma were happy in Finland and had faith in its institutions, but it was felt that populism was a growing phenomenon in Europe and Finland was no exception.
Paivi Majaniemi from the Finnish League for Human Rights.
A project on Roma was begun in 2007 with the purpose of making Roma aware of discrimination and their rights. Training had been offered for that purpose. Discrimination also sometimes occurred inside the Roma community (along gender lines, among others).
At the end of the morning, we had time to talk freely with the other participants: we were told that the Roma in Finland were in a relatively strong position in comparison with those in other Member States, and that education of Roma children was crucial.
MAIN CONCLUSIONS
An important message from Finland is that it is possible to pursue determined and effective public policies based on a comprehensive approach to the social situation of the Roma, and thus achieve fundamental changes. Important lessons can be learned from this, even though the Finnish example appears to be one of a kind.
The main factor is the kind of political will which is embedded in a highly developed and uncontested general culture of democracy, with commitment from successive governments over the decades. For such a policy, which deals with the social group most severely exposed to segregation and discrimination, it is important to avoid the trap of thinking in terms of electoral cycles and maximising votes.
This requires not only insight but also consistent implementation of long-term political commitments transcending individual governments' terms of office - a common concern in relation to Roma policy, but one which is not addressed elsewhere. Political will among decision-makers and political leaders (prime ministers, heads of state, ministers) can bring about change; by contrast, its absence may perpetuate the situation or lead to its deterioration.
Acknowledging this fact and systematically acting on it means policies which can learn from mistakes.
The breakthrough came with a radical rights-based change in housing policy, leading to gradually improving housing standards. Proper social and existential conditions are helping to improve educational opportunities too.
Coordination mechanisms more or less systematically coordinate all levels with consistent involvement of all stakeholders. There is a culture which goes beyond consultation, and platforms for continuous dialogue.
Together with an integrated approach to education, it is also important to maintain efforts to fine-tune educational programmes, with the involvement of parents, initiatives to give pupils a second chance, teacher training, after-school activities, programmes supporting further education, development of special teaching aids, etc.
It is essential to promote Roma culture and language, together with a positive identity (preserving culture, language and festivals, supporting cultural and media products, etc.). Taking pride in one's Roma identity offers great potential.
Uncompromising action against discrimination is needed, with consistent representation by decision-makers at national and local level, supported by authorities responsible for equal treatment, ombudsmen and law enforcement agencies generally. Continuous efforts are needed to make those concerned aware of their rights. Mechanisms to enforce rights must be as easily accessible as possible.
Perhaps the most convincing aspect of the Finnish example and its main message is the fact that those concerned are involved and help to take decisions. The Roma were well represented during all our encounters with Roma policy.
In Finland the Roma do not only participate in processes but also confidently shape their destinies through formal and informal communities. Their environment not only accepts but also supports this situation. Prospects for integration are significantly improved as a result. However, one warning sign is that despite these positive developments we can still see significant levels of the mutually reinforcing phenomena of segregation and discrimination.
The progressive attitude of the churches and their involvement in developing local communities should be acknowledged.
These issues are systematically managed as a government policy, translating into an integrated approach based on coordination in all relevant areas, rather than mere project-based programming.
This policy has to be adapted to individuals and small communities, in line with living conditions, needs and capacities in local communities.
To ensure that the policy is not just a communication tool and goes beyond mere declarations, adequate funding is needed, enabling forward planning. Programme support should be neither "excessive" nor symbolic, but realistic.
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REPORT OF THE SECOND COUNTRY VISIT – ROMANIA
30 June - 1 July 2014 Members: Ákos Topolánszky (GR 3), Emilio Fatovic (GR 2), Madi Sharma (GR 1)
