We contribute to: Safety Learning Living Inclusion and Community Cohesion Health Economic success " I remember in June 2005 , attending the very first BRING A DISH was a rare treat, highlighting local talent of people from diverse cultures and faiths. This had a ripple effect and I am proud that CCDN have sustained a consistent supportive presence that local communities can rely on." Cllr. Pam Brown, former Mayor of Hastings Monitoring report

INTERNATIONAL ROMA DAY International Roma Day is one of a few celebrations that the Roma minority has got. In 1990's it became an international event. Even though Roma live sparsely in various countries, they try to coordinate celebrations of the April 8, as well as to find a common symbol. In 2004, it was a tree planting. It was candles lighting that dominated the celebration last year. And flower throwing into rivers a year before the last one. Flowers drifted along the Nile, the Amazon River, and along the Czech Vltava River too. Though an effort has been made, paradoxically, the celebration is not very known by the majority and by many ordinary Roma as well. Just people working in civic sectors, who try to organize celebrations in particular towns and cities, know about this event. What kind of celebration is it? Since when has it been celebrated? Why the April 8? Beginning of 1970's brought Roma's emancipatory aspirations from national association level into international one. Just on the April 8 1971, there had been the first international Roma meeting near to London. Initiators of this holding have in particular been Grattan Puxon and Donald Kenrick from England, Jarko Jovanocia from Yugoslavia, Mateo Maximoffem from France, and many others. Let's just remind to all of us that Roma living in the Czechoslovakian socialistic republic established the first official organization located in Bohemia in 1969, which was called Gypsy-Roma Union (Svaz CikánÛ-RomÛ). This organization was established in Slovakia as well. In London, delegates of the first international holding officially constituted the first international Romani organization that has been named IRU (International Romani Union). The IRU was called the World Romani Union from the beginning. As another outcome of the conference, representatives validated the labeling Rom that has been taken instead of Gypsy. Therefore, we do not talk about any invention adopted after the November 89, as estimated by many. Approval of two attributes, which are a feature of any nation, had also been done. These two attributes we talk about are the Romani flag and the Romani anthem. Even though there had been two more IRU's congresses later on, the April 8m has been recognized as the International Roma Day. This happened in Warsaw in 1990, when the fourth international congress had been hold. The April 8 should remind the day, when the official approval of international Roma cooperation set seal upon. Since that time, the Roma movement has got an international and socio-political dimension. During such a day, all participants of the celebration are reminding themselves about the common origin, language, culture, unity and cooperation and in the first place about "romipen", which means the identity preservation. The pope Jan Pavel II has played a part in popularizing the International Roma Day especially in Christian countries in the year 2000. He used general audience that came together to the Vatican's St. Peter Square on 8th of April. During this convenience of the International Roma Day, he asked all the worshippers for more respect to Roma. © Romano vodi http://www.romea.cz/english/index.php