Pavee Point has been invited to Europe’s largest annual human rights and democracy event this week in Warsaw, Poland.  The Human Development Implementation Meeting provides an opportunity for Pavee Point to highlight the human rights situation of Travellers and Roma in Ireland.  It is organised annually by the Organisation for Security and Co-Operation in Europe (OSCE).

Patrick Reilly, Community Development Worker with the Violence against Women Programme, is taking part in a dedicated training and side event on ‘Roma and Sinti Youth: Activism and Participation’.

“I am looking forward to meeting with young Roma activists from different participating States and exploring issues and solutions to make sure that the rights of Travellers and Roma are achieved.

“I am particularly interested in looking at solutions to overcoming the issues faced by Traveller and Roma women and youth, and highlighting learning from a pilot project Pavee Point is currently working on to prevent men’s violence against women,” said Patrick.

Government representatives from over 57 European states plus non-governmental organisations and international organisations attend the event to review and make recommendations in relation to human rights commitments by participating States.

Pavee Point will be sending updates from the event during the week and you can follow the conference live at www.osce.org.