International Roma Day: Roma Artists Call for More Inclusion

Tirana Times
By Tirana Times April 9, 2019 15:38

International Roma Day: Roma Artists Call for More Inclusion

TIRANA - Roma artists have opened an exhibition displaying a limited edition of a number of multidisciplinary art works featuring Roma history, culture and associated political movements to mark the International Roma Day. Through these art works, Roma artists called for more social and economic inclusion of Roma minority as well as the need to preserve Romani rich cultural heritage.

"Despite progress made, Roma still face a variety of disadvantages. They continue to be among the poorest, most marginalized and socially excluded groups in Albania. Many Roma are facing direct and indirect barriers in accessing public services," said Ms. Limya Eltayeb, Resident Representative of UNDP for Albania in her remarks during the launching of the exhibition in Tirana on April 8 this year coinciding with the International Roma Day.

Ms. Eltayeb was appointed in January 2019 as Resident Representative of UNDP for Albania, where she has been the Country Director since 2016.

According to her, to tackle those challenges, UNDP in partnership with Ministry of Health and Social Protection and financial support of the European Union Delegation to Tirana has been implementing a 3-year programme: “Economic and Social Empowerment for Roma and Egyptian, -a booster for social inclusion” .

"In the context of the programme, 515 Roma and Egyptians gained skills and found employment, 120 are supported with startups or income generation activities; the living conditions of more than 8000 inhabitants are improved through community upgrading infrastructure projects; 160 Roma and Egyptians who have not had the possibility to complete basic education are enrolled and follow regularly the school through the “Early part time primary education model” ; more than 14,033 Roma and Egyptians enjoy improved access to basic services," said the UNDP Representative, Limya Eltayeb.

The exhibition, which was launched on April 8 at the Turbina Center, will stay open for two days.

Roma people 2

Roma people 1

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Tirana Times
By Tirana Times April 9, 2019 15:38