Transcript Gypsy, Roma and Traveller National Symposium 24th June 2013

Gypsy, Roma and Traveller
National Symposium
24th June 2013
“Roma Early Childhood studies and
reports - A comparative study for
Wales and the UK?”
“Roma Early Childhood studies and reports –
A comparative study for Wales and the UK?”
The planned use of our time:
•Introduction
•What is RECI and RECI+?
•Process and partners
•Why bother?
•Proposal for Wales and the UK
•Questions and discussion
What is RECI and RECI+?
The studies (1)
Phase I: RECI research studies carried out
in:
• Czech Republic; Hungary; Romania;
Macedonia; and Serbia. (last 2: reports
available – Romania and Hungary shortly
available) – these and
• Overview Report available @
– http://www.romachildren.com/
The studies(2)
Phase II: RECI+
• Croatia (current research in action)
• Conference in January in Pristina, Kosovo
• Invitations have just gone out to Kosovo
(as defined by the UN Resolution 1244),
Republic of Albania, Republic of Bulgaria
and the Slovak Republic.
The Studies and Reports
• The research studies look in a number of
countries at how early childhood policies,
provision and practice impact on young Roma
children and their families including access and
appropriateness.
• In addition to this analysis, the aim of the
research and the published reports is to be a
catalyst to the promotion of systematic reforms
that ensure universal access to high quality,
culturally appropriate early childhood
development services.
Where RECI fits and its
partners (1)
• One Open Society Foundations (OSF) strategy is the:
– Early Childhood Program for all children– ‘Promoting Equality, Rights and Human Capability through
Investments in the Very Young’
• ‘The “Kopaçi” Program is that aspect of the work that
seeks to improve the lives of Roma children and their
families by directly working with them in their homes and
communities.’
• ‘Investing in the youngest Roma children is essential in
order to realize Roma rights, foster equality and build
human capability’
Where RECI fits and its
partners (2)
International:
•The Roma Early Childhood Inclusion+ Studies and
Reports are a joint initiative with the key partners:
– The Roma Education Fund (REF)
– UNICEF
– The International Step-by-Step Association
(ISSA)
– Save the Children International (SCI)
Locally:
•Respected university research institutes, national
Early Childhood Development organisations, Roma
NGO’s and local offices and representatives of the
international partners above.
Why bother?
• Roma (including Gypsies and
Travellers) have generally an almost
universal experience of exclusion
from formal early years education,
mostly exacerbated by centuries of
racial prejudice, discrimination and
the consequent multiple deprivations.
The impact on educational outcomes
is stark!
England: For those GRT children in early
years provision - marked contrast with all
pupils and those on ‘Free School Meals’
England: Marked contrast with all pupils
and those on ‘Free School Meals’
England: The ‘knock-on’ impact: marked
contrast with all pupils and those on ‘Free
School Meals’ Gap remains into primary
education!
England: The ‘knock-on’ impact: marked
contrast with all pupils and those on ‘Free
School Meals’
Gap remains into secondary education!
Why bother?
• All the international evidence stemming from brain
research, educational outcome studies, life-chance
analysis, and pioneering policy initiatives, irrefutably
demonstrates that positive early childhood
educational experiences have a dramatic impact on
the quality and nature of lifelong outcomes.
• So investment in the early childhoods of Roma,
Gypsy and Traveller children must be seen as a
priority if the European crisis for these communities
is ever to be resolved and if they are to be included
with dignity and respect into European society as
equal citizens.
Proposal for Wales & the UK
• Such an initiative would be in keeping with the
Welsh Assembly’s keen attention to equalities
and human rights issues, particularly for
marginalised groups.
• Such a study in the UK would also help to point
out potential policy, provision and practice
dysfunctions that may be disadvantaging many
other deprived and marginalised communities.
• And, finally, such a study will go some way to
ensuring a good start in quality early years
education for the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller
young children across Wales, Scotland,
Northern Ireland and England.
Thank you for listening
• Have a wonderful day and let us welcome a new dawn