Defender of Rights of Roma Minority from Belarus Mikalai Kalinin Took Part in Forum of European Roma Young People (FERYP)

02.06.2006.

The Forum was held in Budapest on 21-28 May. Representatives of the Roma youth from different countries of Europe took part in the educational program that was devoted to human rights education in the context of work with the Roma youth.

The Forum of the European Roma Young People is an independent organization that cooperates with the Council of Europe, says Mikalai Kalinin. It was established more than 4 years ago and coordinates youth programs associated solely with Roma. The organization unites all Roma organizations of Europe. Despite the fact that Belarus is not a member of the European Union, I was invited to take part in this session as a representative of the Belarusian Roma youth. Speaking about participants of the action, I should say they are really important people. The leader of this organization is Alexandra Raykova, one of the most influential Roma leaders of Europe and a very beautiful woman. One of the lecturers was Michael Guet. He gave to us important and useful skills and knowledge. During the meeting I got convinced that the Roma youth in Europe watches the events that take place in Belarus. They pay real interest to our country, know some of our political leaders and understand the political situation in Belarus pretty well. I was surprised to find that among the European Roma there are may educated and talented young people. For instance, I would like to mention the Italian Roma lawyer Ugo Caruso, the Roma pedagogue and chess player from Macedonia Elez Bislim, the Roma journalist from Czech Marek Polak and the active woman Ramiza Sakip, thanks to whom we felt very comfortable during the seminar.

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