02/11/2023

On October 24th and 25th, Iscte-University Institute of Lisbon hosted the 6th edition of the International Seminar of the Observatory of Roma Communities (ObCig).

The initiative, organised in collaboration with the research group Migration, Mobility and Ethnicity of CIES-Iscte and coordinated by researchers Ana Raquel Matias and Cláudia Pereira, the Support Centre for Roma Communities and the High Commission for Migration, was attended by a number of personalities, including the Secretary of State for Equality and Migration, Isabel Almeida Rodrigues, and the President of the Board of Directors of the ACM, José Reis.

The seminar was also attended by academics, representatives of Roma associations and students, with the aim of analysing and reflecting on the 10th anniversary of the National Strategy for the Integration of Roma Communities.

Over the two sessions, different perspectives were presented on the first integrated public policy instrument to promote the integration, equality and participation of the Roma population in Portugal.

These discussions provided a comprehensive overview of the strategies and actions underway for the integration and equality of Roma communities in Portugal.

This edition of the International Seminar also provided the opportunity to award the ObCig Person of Merit Prize to Vilma Alexandra Vareda de Freitas, a citizen who has dedicated herself to voluntary work with Roma communities living in the municipality of Marinha Grande.