World Romani Congress

Flag of the Roma people

The World Romani Congress is a series of forums for discussion of issues relating to Roma people around the world. There have been six World Romani Congresses to date. Among the chief goals of these congresses have been the standardization of the Romani language, improvements in civil rights and education, preservation of the Romani culture, reparations from World War II, and international recognition of the Roma as a national minority of Indian origin.

First World Romani Congress

The first World Romani Congress was organized in 1971 near London, funded in part by the World Council of Churches and the Government of India. It was attended by representatives from India and 20 other countries. Five sub-commissions were created to examine social affairs, education, war crimes, language, and culture. At the congress, the green and blue flag from the 1933 conference, embellished with the red, sixteen-spoked chakra, was reaffirmed as the national emblem of the Romani people, and the song "Gelem, Gelem" was adopted as the Roma anthem.. Usage of the word "Roma" (rather than variants of "gypsy") was also accepted by a majority of attendees; as a result, the International Gypsy Committee (founded in 1965) was renamed the Komiteto Lumniako Romano (International Rom Committee).

Second World Romani Congress

The second Congress in April 1978, was held in Geneva and attended by 120 delegates from 26 countries. Attendees helped transform the International Rom Committee into the International Romani Union.

Third World Romani Congress

The third Congress was held in Göttingen, Germany in May 1981, with 600 delegates and observers from 28 different countries. Attendees supported the call for Roma to be recognized as a national minority of Indian origin. The Porajmos was a major topic of discussion.

Forth World Romani Congress

In 1990, the fourth Congress was held in Serock, Poland with 250 delegates attending. Discussion topics included World War II reparations, education, culture, public relations, language, and a Romani language encyclopedia. The International Day of the Roma was also officially declared as April 8, in honour of the first World Romani Congress meeting in 1971.

Fifth World Romani Congress

The fifth World Romani Congress was held in Prague in July, 2000. Emil Ščuka was elected as president of the International Romani Union.

Sixth World Romani Congress

The sixth Congress was held in Lanciano, Italy in 2004.

References

VI Congress of the International Romani Union took place 8-9 October 2004 in Lanciano / Italy /. Took participation in him over 200 delegates from 39 countries of world. On this Congress the delegates chose new authorities IRU. with New president International Romani Union was select Stanisław Stankiewicz -Stahiro with Poland, and president of world Parliament IRU select was Dragan Jevremovic from Austria. IIn structure IRU is 14 of committee. On VI congress IRU one appointed new committee to matters of women, families and of children. International Romani Union possesses enjoying consultative status Category Roster, witch the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations and is independent world organization Roma.

Secretariat International Romani E-mail:Stahiro.irul.neostrada.pl

INTERNATIONAL ROMANI UNION

I Goals and objectives

The goal of the IRU is:

- to be the political representatnion of all Roma in the world (Sonti, Lovari, Ashkari, Chorichani, Rumungre, Vlach, Manush, etc.), and to act in the best interest of the Romani nation.

- to develop the curtural traditions, customs and language of the Romani.

- to cooperate in revolving the economic, social, cultural, educational, and humanitarian problems of the Romani in each of the individual countries in which they live.

- to serve as a centre for observing the activities of inividual countries in achieving these goals.

- to enforce and strengthen regard for human rights and fundmental liberaties for all irrespective of race, sex, language or leligion.

II Size, composition, representativeness

The members of the IRU are the following: Albania, Australia, Austria, Balarus, Belgium, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Bulgaria, Brazil,Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Rusia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, Any Romani organization from the member conuntries may acquire membership in the IRU.

The Congress of the IRU is composed of delegates from the individual member organizations, honorary members and other members. Each member country is represented by member of delegates corresponding to the total number of romani inhabitants of respective countries.

Each member country of the IRU has one representative and one substitute in the Parliament.

III Functions and working methods

The IRU funkctions though the following bodies: Congress, Parliament, Presidium, Court of Justice. The Congress approves the Programme and the long-term vision of the IRU. It makes recommendations with a view to supporting the participation of the Romani in individual countries in the fields of politics, economy, social affairs, coulture, education, as well as facilitating the respect of human rights and fundamental liberties for all irrespective of race, sex, language or religion.

The Parliament deals with the Reports of the situation of Romani populations in individual countries during its sessions. At its autumn session the Parliament discuses and approves the budget for the following calendar year. The Pariament defines the domestic as well as the international policy of the International Romani Union.

The Presidium is the executive body of the IRU and functions through commissions covering the following subjects: foreign policy, social and economic affairs, cultural and educational affairs, human rights, internal affairs, financial and budgetary matters, legal and legislative matters, issues relating to Central and Eastern Europe, issue relating to America, Asia and Australia. The Presidium may elaborate studies and reports of international Romani affairs in economic, social, cultural, educational and related areas or initiate elaboration of such reports as well as make recommendation in these areas to the IRU Parilament, the IRU President, individual countries and international organizations and institutions. The Presidium may make recommendations with the purpose of supporting respect fo human rights and fundamental liberaties for all.

The Court of Justice is a body of inependent judges, elected irrespective of their membership in the IRU from amonst persons of hight moral integrity. The Court supervises all the members and bodies of the IRU and their observance of this Charter.

IV Funding

The main source of income is the membership fees of the individual members, and member organizations.

V Institutional links

The IRU has institutional links with: - the Counsil of Europe. - OSCE (ODHIR). - UNHCHR. - UNO - ERTF The IRU has memorandum of understanting and cooperation with Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic ond other countries with a view to the "continuous improvement of the situation and living conditions of the Roma"