Roma Coalition Gets Europe-wide Recognition for Successful E.U. Campaign

 
Policy Center for Roma and Minorities is pleased to announce that the European Roma Policy Coalition’s (ERPC) Campaign for a European Union (EU) Roma Strategy, to which the Center is an active partner, has received the Best Campaign of the Year Award for 2011 through the prestigious European Public Affairs Awards (EPAA). After a long, arduous process of nomination which began in June, the EPAA held its annual gala on November 9 in Brussels to celebrate the efforts of those individuals and organizations that bear a mark of distinction within their respective fields. In an effort to highlight some of the successes and best practices from throughout the European public affairs community, the European Public Affairs Award was established four years ago. The awards ceremony seeks to bring attention to those individuals, organizations, issues and campaigns that represent the very best that the industry has to offer. Competition is rigorous, and the receipt of an award represents a true mark of distinction. As a key proponent in the fight to uphold the rights and dignity of the Roma community, the Policy Center is delighted to be included in this award and by extension, shine a light on the plight of the Roma people.
 
While the award rewards its efforts to date, the Policy Center has its eyes set on the future. Founder Valeriu Nicolae notes: “We much appreciate the work of the partners in the ERPC and the recognition we received for our work. Unfortunately having a commitment for an EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies is far from enough as at this moment the strategies are no more than well-wishing documents and the mechanisms for implementation and monitoring do not exist at any level. We need to continue working with and pressuring the European Commission for much better mechanisms set in place than what we have at this moment. Otherwise all this will be just a pyrrhic victory.”
 
The text of the EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies up to 2020 is available here.
 
Photo credit: Fabrice Debatty