FSR: Status of Roma in Montenegro Improves

07 April 2006

Thanks to the activities of the non-govermental organizations, the Government of Montenegro and the international community, the status of Roma in Montegengro has improved significantly over the past several years, reports the Roma Scholarship Foundation, on the occasion of April 8, International Day of the Roma.

Nonetheless, FSR emphasizes that much more needs to be done to make the efforts for integration of the Roma sustainable and effective, especially in terms of education, which is perceived as the single method of long-term escape from poverty and as means to confirm the inherited human dignity.

"According to official information, some 76% of the Roma living in Montenegro a illiterate, which is a great obstacle for their intensive and quality participation in all forms and types of education, training, economy and society in general. Still, the number of Roma that complete elementary and secondary education is on the rise with every passing year, including the numbers of Roma that complete higher education�, states FSR.

FSR invited the Montenegro authorities to create functional mechanisms for support to the Roma that make education their primary choice on all levels and as soon as possible.

At this moment, FSR provides scholarships for about 30 Roma � a group of students enrolled in the Schools of Law and Philosophy at the Montenegro University; seven graduated students of the School of Journalism and their internship with a variety of editorial offices; and, 13 secondary school students.