Steering and monitoring on implementing Roma policy. Working group report

Abstract

The National Policy on Roma in Finland was adopted in 2009. It has six Key Areas and ten Policy Guidelines. It contains 147 measures, responsibility for which has been delegated to several branches of administration. In 2012, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health appointed a working group to coordinate and monitor the implementation of the National Policy on Roma. The information contained in this first monitoring report is based on data obtained in 2013 from the ministries and other bodies responsible for implementing the policy, from municipalities in connection with a hearing for municipalities, and from the Roma, for example through a hearing for organisations. The report examines how the objectives of the National Policy on Roma have been achieved in the fields of employment, education, social and health care services, anti-discrimination measures and housing. It also explores how the programme has been implemented at the regional and the local level. The National Policy on Roma has raised awareness and improved the coordination of Roma issues nationally. The highest success rates have been seen in measures assigned to various ministries, and significant progress has been achieved in some of them. In the educational sector in particular, important steps forward have been taken. On the other hand, local-level implementation has met with challenges. Particular challenges can be identified in the fields of employment and adult education for the Roma. Hearings for municipalities and organisations and national seminars organised by the Advisory Boards on Romani Affairs are a demonstration of effective cooperation between the Roma, the central government and the municipalities. Active participation of the Roma population indicates trust between the actors. The Finnish practice of involving the Roma population in participatory decision-making in affairs concerning them to building trustful relationships. In this report, the working group makes such proposals ...