The systemic discrimination that persists in Central/Eastern Europe has impeded the integration of Roma in all spheres of life and has made it the most vulnerable group in the region during the past decade. While there has been significant foreign and domestic assistance targeting Roma integration, they still face severe impediments to improving their lives, including unemployment and severe poverty, dependency on state assistance, segregation and low levels of education, lack of access to medical services, exclusion from political participation, harassment by police, and social and political isolation from the rest of society. Living conditions in Roma neighborhoods are often poor, with housing shortages and badly maintained infrastructure. Furthermore, the Czech Republic has not undertaken a real assessment of Roma interests, wants and values, and when coupled with differing cultures and communication styles, development activities are often misguided or not welcomed by the Roma community themselves.

Since its establishment in 1991, Partners-Czech has worked to promote the rights and representation of the Roma population. One of the major mechanisms the Center has utilized to resolve inter-group conflict and improve Roma participation in civic life is Ethnic Conciliation Commissions. These community-based structures are recognized by local statutes and composed of mediators representing the ethnic diversity of the community. The Commissions serve to prevent and manage disputes by monitoring majority-minority relations, conducting educational outreach to local groups, mediating disputes relating to ethnic and minority issues, organizing forums on issues of minority concern, and facilitating inter-group dialogue.

Partners-Czech has developed several Commissions throughout the country, and recently established new structures in the Moravian towns of Brno and Vsetín, and Prague’s Second District. An additional Commission in Pardubice is pending in the near future. These communities had already demonstrated an interest in establishing Commissions and have the support of the Town Hall and/or an enterprising Commission leader. First, Partners-Czech initiated outreach campaigns in each community, explaining the Commissions’ purposes, methodologies and potential impact. Significantly, Partners-Czech did not present the Commissions simply as mechanisms for tackling ethnic conflicts, considering that these are very sensitive issues; rather, the Commissions were promoted in their holistic function to benefit entire communities, and thereby gained the support of politicians and others who dismiss minority issues.

Partners-Czech then conducted two capacity building trainings in negotiation, mediation and other conflict management techniques for more than 50 community representatives who were selected to be a part of the program. The majority of these participants committed themselves to active work in their local Commission and also recruited new members, who they trained themselves utilizing Partners-Czech’s materials. The experience of each Commission differs based on the varying conditions in each community, for example:

• The Vsetín town hall was initially reluctant to support the program, but under the dynamic leadership of the Commission’s president, its activities are proceeding at a brisk pace. The Vsetín Commission mediated 15 cases with a consensus-based agreement in its first year, largely involving neighborhood disputes; in a high profile case that was pending in court at the time, the Commission reached agreement between the mayor and a disabled citizen on a conflict over barrier-free access for wheelchairs. Further, the Commission also initiated a cross-border meeting of Ethnic Conciliation Commissions from the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary to exchange experiences and best practices.

• The 14 members of the Prague 2 District Commission represent a range of professions, and utilize their diversity to enrich their work and promote their services to the public. Members include town hall employees from the Department of Social Affairs, Department of Criminality Prevention, Department of Welfare and Department of Financial Control; a policeman; lawyer; psychologist; NGO campaign coordinator; and a doctor. Further, the Commission’s President works as an assistant to a deputy of Parliament, and has helped to build official support for mediation.

• Since the establishment of the Commission in Brno, the members and town hall have been very active and supportive. An initial press conference and several articles in the local media served to energize their efforts, which are highlighted by formal consultation with citizens and the resolution of nine disputes in the first year.

Partners-Czech works with the Ethnic Conciliation Commissions on an ongoing basis, and remains informed about the work of the established and developing Commissions. The Center provides professional and organizational assistance as needed, promotes the Commissions through its local and regional networks, and facilitates relationships among community leaders, teachers, NGO staff, students, and others to continually build support. Partners-Czech’s experience with previously established Commissions is that after a few successfully resolved cases in a community, citizens develop trust in the new mechanism to mitigate conflicts and improve inter-group communication.

Additional Resources
Press Release Announcing Launch of Partners & USAID Roma Initiative (doc)