Speech by President of the Republic Tarja Halonen at the Annual Meeting and Conference of the Gypsy Lore Society, 27 August 2009

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The Roma are a genuine European minority. The Roma are a minority group in most countries and do not have a state of their own.

Finland is a small country with a population that is only about half the estimated number of Roma in Europe as a whole. The Roma have lived in Finland for hundreds of years and form a small minority of about 10,000 persons. The Roma have strongly preserved their own culture. Still, one can also see an interplay between the minority and mainstream culture.

The Roma are a population group that is more likely face discrimination in everyday life - unfortunately in Finland as well. Their socio-economic status is also recognised to be lower than other groups', in general. The Roma human rights dilemma, marginalization due to poverty and an increasing number of beggars are pan-European phenomena. For the Roma to gain equality with other population groups, we must pay constant attention to their human rights.

The status of the Roma, and minorities in general, depends in practice on the attitudes of the mainstream. Especially in economic downturns, majorities' attitudes towards minorities or other groups that are seen as being different have often hardened. In these situations, strong political will is needed to maintain values supporting equality and measures implementing them.

In Finland, the Roma have a constitutional right to maintain and develop their language and culture. We have felt it important to legally guarantee the Roma a stable position regardless of political and economic situations.

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The Roma have a rich culture that is passed on especially through music, dress and customs. The Roma, as well as other minorities, cannot preserve their own culture alone. The majority must also lend a hand. Culture is interaction in which minority culture changes under the influence of the mainstream but also brings its own influences to the mainstream. This is the natural way that human societies develop and nations become more diverse. To respect this cultural richness, both the minority and the majority must be able to enjoy internationally agreed human rights.

Language is an essential element in building a cultural identity. The Romani language has been passed from generation to generation through the oral tradition, and Finnish schools began teaching the language in 1989. In spite of this possibility, only about 200 children study Romani each year.

For different reasons, parents do not always think their children need to study Romani. Another problem is the declining use of Romani among parents themselves, so children may not get a natural feel for the language. Problems associated with teaching the language include the lack of qualified teachers as well as teacher training, materials and methods.

Fortunately interest in Romani is reviving. The language nest method that was originally developed in New Zealand for the purpose of saving the Maori language has been applied to the teaching of the Sámi language. Now it has been extended to the teaching of Romani in Finland. I am pleased that the National Board of Education has started a language nest method project in which the emphasis is on using the spoken language among Roma of all ages.

Raising the educational level of the Roma is a recognized and effective means to prevent also marginalization. A lack of education is one reason behind low economic status and, in addition to discrimination, is a key barrier to finding a job. Placing Roma children in special education, poor school attendance, dropping out of school or not applying for further studies are still all too common in many countries. Giving Roma parents more information about education and supporting families are essential for children's welfare and future.

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International conventions have played a significant role in improving the position of the Roma and in developing policy. Promoting the participation of the Roma
has also succeeded beyond our expectations when we suggested the establishment of the European Roma and Travellers Forum in connection with the Council of Europe. I believe this forum offers a good arena for bringing the views and experience of the Roma to decision-makers' attention. This is beneficial for the Roma as well as governments and international organizations.

Finland has been a European pioneer in encouraging the Roma to participate in the handling of matters that concern them. The Roma are the best experts when it comes to these matters, so they must have the right to take part in decision-making that affects them, on different levels of administration. In Finland, we have had positive experiences with the Advisory Board on Romani Affairs, in which representatives of the Roma and administration have cooperated for over fifty years. I can vouch for this personally, having served as chair of the advisory board in the past.

This year, we started preparing a national policy programme for Romani affairs in Finland. The aim is to promote equality and participation of the Roma community in all spheres of life. Representatives of different administrative sectors and above all the Roma have joined in preparing this programme. The programme will be comprehensive and I am looking forward to concrete action.

I believe that you as researchers would be interested in a national programme concerning the history of the Roma in Finland. Roma in Finland are Finns and their history is part of Finland's history. This is a historical project that also internationally interesting. As far as we know such a study focusing on the history of the Roma population has not been conducted in other European countries. The Roma have lacked a written history, and the oral tradition is weakening.

The goal in supporting Romani language and culture is to strengthen the Roma community's dual identity. With knowledge of their own background and history, the Roma can fully participate as actors and citizens in developing their own community and society as a whole.

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History is written by the majority, so it is welcoming that the majority also devotes research to minorities. However, it is even more important to support the Rome themselves to conduct research. Research regarding the Roma is one way to raise the problems that they experience and to increase discussion on how to improve their social status. Research can also be used as a tool to fight prejudice against the Roma community.

In addition to problems, it is important to be aware of the contribution that Roma culture has made to our societies and Europe. Although the Roma still face many difficulties, they are also an excellent example of surviving and preserving their own rich culture.

I wish you all the best at this conference and in your research on the Roma.