Roma outreach in schools

by Elyas Hussain

A new project has been set up to improve the lives of young members of the Central and Eastern European Roma community who are living in Glasgow and the West of Scotland.
The Roma Youth Project is run by the West of Scotland Regional Equality Council (WSREC) which deals with a broad range of issues including racism, gender and equality.
The Roma can trace their origins to medieval India and constitute the largest ethnic minority in Europe.They live in various countries and have many different languages and traditions. They are also Europe’s most socially excluded group, with a history of persecution.
The project aims to provide a strong identity among young Roma people, promote integration activities within local communities, provide information and advice and through education and social interaction, dispel some of the misconceptions and prejudices about Roma culture.
Shawlands Academy and Annette Street Primary School, Govanhill, are among the first places the Project is working in.
Mohammed Razaq, Executive Director for the Regional Equality Council told the LOCAL NEWS: ‘I am pleased that the project has significantly influenced the school environment of Shawlands Academy and Annette Street Primary School making it a positive learning experience for young Roma pupils. With the intervention of the Roma Youth Project it is more likely that these young people will be able to increase their attendance, broaden their horizons, achieve more learning and have an equal chance to live, learn and work.’