Angélica Such

The celebration of the International Roma Day came about 40 years ago to give gypsy people and culture recognition and also as a way of remembering history to encourage awareness and social change in attitude to allow for a better living conditions.  The European Union is more aware than ever of this need and is promoting all kinds of policies and programs that effectively deal with problems of exclusion that are being suffered.  Despite this, exclusion is still apparent today in some places in Europe (see news report on Hungary) where events are taking place that are unacceptable for any democratic society.  There is an awareness and compromise that the Parliament and the European Commission is transmitting to governments and regions of all member states, urging them to act and work towards the objectives for inclusion planned for the decade 2010/2020.

The Social Welfare Council of Valencia has responded to this call for European co-responsibility and has put their Plan for Social Inclusion II into action.  In doing this all social representatives and remaining Councils were involved in the development and application processes of the Plan.  It must be pointed out that the Plan for Social Inclusion II establishes priority criteria and mainstreaming and gives special attention to the Roma Community.  This is in line with recommendations made by the European Government and claims made by Brussels and Strasburg.  Perhaps not all of the desired results will be obtained, although there is no doubt that this is the way forward which will allow for the participation and necessary corrections along the way. 

Angélica Such has managed this process with great enthusiasm and conviction which becomes apparent after exchanging even just a few words in conversation.  She has achieved what may seem an un-accomplishable task in the most natural way: that of active and ‘positive’ participation leading to a joint agreement made by all the social agents involved along with all the members of her team.

The repercussion of the Plan for Social Inclusion II in Valencia and the example for Europe are obvious, especially for those who are aware of the happenings in parts of Europe such as Italy, France, The Czech Republic or Hungary.  The development process of the Plan constitutes a rare example of work and cooperation and there is no doubt that this will be the case even more so as and where daily work allows for improvement.  In addition to this, the Plan for Social Inclusion II of the Valencian Community along with the forthcoming legislation for the Charter of Social Rights will grant the Valencian Community undeniable European leadership in the field of inclusion and protection of the most disadvantaged. 

From Mundo Gitano (Gypsy World) we would like to clarify some of the points which are referred to in the Plan II, and for this reason, the Social Welfare Councillor herself, Angélica Such was kind enough to answer a series of questions (see ) and also wanted to be present on the International Roma Day by sending a very special greeting to the entire International Roma Community.  Once again, the greeting contains her commitment to work to achieve inclusion and the progress of our people (see greeting).

To conclude, I would like to thank the Social Welfare Councillor for her greeting, interview and for wanting to share her enthusiasm for music and New Technology with our youngsters at the Training and Audiovisual Production Centre at the Maranatha Federation. I would also like to thank her for her time, her kindness, her sensibility and the closeness she has always shown us.

José Alfredo Maya Maya

 President of the Maranatha Federation of Roma Associations

Otros editoriales

Embajada Gitana de Brasil - Memoria del Holocausto - La hora de la Verdad - Viviane Reding - La respuesta de Francia - Puerta a la Esperanza - Encrucijada Europea - Ejemplo para Europa - Conflícto en Francia - Gitanos de Formosa - Formación y Sensibilización - ONU - Francisco Moza - Entrevista al Comisario - László Andor - La cumbre de la Esperanza - Turquía y Erdoğan - Maranatha en Bruselas - Hungría y Rumania - Romanés en España - Rumania - Nómadas - 2010 - Navidad - Auschwitz - Gotzone Mora - Lynne Tammi - Jorge Bernal - El Muro - El conflicto Húngaro - Gitanos en Iberoamérica - Determinación - Europa y América - II Seminario - Bangladesh - Derechos Humanos - Segregación - Madonna - Foro Educativo - Intolerancia - Mirada Gitana - Pojrramos - Memoria del Holocausto - Olvidados - CEDAW y la ONU - Jóvenes, gitanos y europeos - Estereotipos en las TV. - Kosovo - Rompiendo el Silencio - Crisis Económica - Elecciones Europeas - Romaní Romanó - Juan Carmona y Pitingo - El umbral de la pobreza - Cine para la Integración - Carta Social Europea - Cambio de actitud - Asilo en Canadá - El Vídeo de la Vergüenza - ¿Origen Hindú o Hebreo? - Mujer Gitana, Mujer Europea - Esteban Widnicky - La Familia Gitana -  Colombia y la Franja de Gaza - Un Año para la Esperanza - Navidad - Proyecto Educativo Yankovich - Saludo

Mundo Gitano – Gypsy World