The Strategy for social inclusion of Roma and Egyptians: opportunities, benefits and expectations

With the aim of improving the amount of information of young people concerning the Strategy for Social inclusion of Roma And Egyptians 2016-2020. representatives of the Department for Improving and Protection of Roma and Egyptians  talked with the best sudents of the Elementary School „Bozidar Vukovic Podgoricanin“ in Podgorica.

The Ministry for Human and Minority Rights, in cooperation with the Bureau for Education and the Roma Education Fund in accordance to the signed Agreement of Cooperation, secures and distributes scholarships for high school students from the Roma population in the amount of 60 € and 150€ for students at the University.

The children were told about  the importance of education and the opportunities offered by higher levels of education. Sokolj Beganaj stated that, being educated, young people from the Roma population can contribute to improving their position in the society, as well as contributing to the whole community. He told the students his life story and how today he can praise a Master's degree, due to persistent and diligent work.

Mirela Ramcilovic and Ramiz Sahman discussed with children about positive discrimination, the dangers relating to begging, the problem of children premature marriages, summer and winter camps organized every year  by the Ministry for Human and Minority Rights which aims to reward the most diligent pupils for the demonstrated effort and commitment at  school. Shahman stressed that the camps also allocate time for workshops for learning Roma language and culture, which is ecpecialy important for the preservation of lingustic and cultural heritage.

Also, education gives the ability to find better jobs, reducing the apparent poverty of this population, said Ramcilovic.

Strategy for Social Inclusion of Roma and Egyptians 2016-2020, is the third strategic document in the field of inclusion of Roma and Egyprians in Montenegrin society. Priority areas are education,employment,housing and health care.

Ministry for Human and Minority Rights