Programme

Public Hearing - United in Diversity: Roma Inclusion and Our Shared European Culture

Monday, 8 June from 9.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m.

Webstreamed

The permanent group on Inclusion of the Roma is organising a public hearing on 8 June 2026 on the topic of "United in Diversity: Roma Inclusion and Our Shared European Culture". The hearing will gather views from policy-makers and civil society organisations on how Roma culture is connected to a shared European identity, and on Roma's contributions visibility in culture, media and education across the European Union. During the hearing, we will hear examples of good practices at local, national and EU-level and discuss what concrete cultural and policy steps are needed to strengthen inclusion. 

09.00 a.m. - 09.30 a.m. | Testing possibility for the Interactio tool

09.30 a.m. - 09.40 a.m. | Welcome and opening session

•  Veselin Mitov, President of the EESC Roma Permanent Group 

09.40 a.m. - 10.30 a.m. | Panel I: From Identity and Belonging to Representation and Visibility

How is Roma culture connected to a shared European identity? How visible are Roma contributions in culture, media, and education?

Moderator: Veselin Mitov, President of the EESC Roma Permanent Group

• DG JUST (European Commission)
• Jaroslav Kling, Fundamental Rights Agency (online)
• Marina Vasic, Council of Europe (online)

10.30 a.m. - 11.20 a.m. | Panel II: Inclusion in Practice: The Way Forward

Which local, national, and EU-level good practices are working? What concrete cultural and policy steps are needed to strengthen inclusion?

Moderator: Veselin Mitov, President of the EESC Roma Permanent Group

• Lucie Fuková, Czech Commissioner for the Roma Minority (online) 
• Anna Mirga-Kruszelnicka, European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture e.V. (ERIAC) (online)
• Rafael Saavedra, Fundacion Secretariado Gitano (online)

Q&A

11.20 a.m. - 11.30 a.m. | Closing of the hearing

•  Veselin Mitov, President of the EESC Roma Permanent Group 

Interpretation from and into English and French.