At the 12th Congress of the IRU, which will be held from April 3 to 6, 2024, among other things, the focus will be on Young Roma.

In that context, the International Roma Union IRU encourages and motivates young and progressive Roma to approach IRU. That's why the IRU slogan for the 12th Congress is "New Beginning, New Voice, New Vision - Today's Youth for a Brighter Tomorrow"

Otherwise, the IRU, with its activity from the very beginning of its operation 53 years ago until now, is directed in its activity to protect the Roma around the world from all negative phenomena in all forms of discrimination, hate speech, segregation, intolerance, violence and genocide. We respect basic human rights, equality between all genders, creating a favorable climate, basic democratic principles of freedom and standard of living. We are in cooperation with international institutions that are committed to their mission.

The presence of over 60 delegates from over 40 countries of the entire world is expected, as well as guest representatives from various countries in the capacity of members of the European Parliament, national members, etc.

IRU campaign: https://www.facebook.com/jasna.vlado/videos/940378494351022/

For the regular 12th IRU Congress, everything is ready. Yesterday and today the delegates and guests of IRU who will be part of this Congress arrived through the international airport in Skopje. The number of IRU members and guests present is expected to be around 100 from over 55 countries around the world. The main activities related to the Congress will be on April 4 and 5, with the organization of several panel discussions and the participation of a large number of panelists. Also on the last day of the Congress will be the election of the new leadership of the IRU, such as the President and other positions in the IRU.

A significant number of high-ranking European and other officials will be part of the IRU Congress, while some will be involved via ZOOM or by already sending their video messages to all the guests present. Some of the guests will be our national officials, as well as part of the diplomatic corps in our country.

Within the framework of the 12th IRU Congress, a cultural program will be organized, and at the same time, on April 4, the closing ceremony of the 22nd Film Festival "Golden Wheel 2024" and the announcement of the best films will take place in the MKC.

As part of the celebration of February 21 - International Mother Language Day, on February 20, 2024, the Faculty of Philology "Blaje Koneski" - Skopje, part of the University "St. Cyril and Methodius" through its dean Prof. Dr. Vladimir Martinovski and the International Roma Union - IRU, represented by its president Zoran Dimov, signed a Memorandum of Cooperation, the purpose of which is to establish and build open business cooperation between the Faculty and the Union and determine the forms and methods of mutual cooperation with the aim of mutual support and contribution to the performance of the activities of the contracting parties, assistance and support to the teaching staff in the realization of the teaching of the Romani language and intensification of the development of the teaching and study of the Romani language in the Republic of North Macedonia. Thanks to this agreement, students from the Faculty will be able to train through translation activities related to the preparation of the XII Congress of the International Roma Union - IRU, which will be held in Skopje from April 3 to 6, 2024.

Also, through this memorandum, a new page is opened and an update on the opening of the Department for the study of Romkit language and culture for future students

On the eve of the celebration of International Roma Day on April 8, the preparations and finalization of the activities of the IRU are underway, which is organizing its 12th Congress and will be held from April 3 to 6 in Skopje, with more panel discussions and cultural programs.

According to the announcements, about 60 IRU delegates from over 50 countries and over 30 other high-ranking guests, Roma MPs and officials from many European countries, are expected.

Otherwise, all panel discussions will be debated, but the biggest target will be focused on the young new progressive force of the IRU. The idea is that IRU with new young intellectual Roma will be the future of the Roma movement in the world. That is why the IRU slogan for the 12th Congress is "IRU forever".

The Preamble of the Statute of the IRU expresses the common goals and ideas of the Roma Nation, whose representatives actually represent it, and that is why the International Roma Union - IRU was formed. As representatives of the Roma people, they make efforts to protect the Roma population and future generations from all the negative phenomena that the Roma people faced in the past, in the present and in the future, in all forms of discrimination, hate speech, segregation, intolerance, violence, genocide, and we are also deeply confident in respecting fundamental human rights, equality between all sexes, creating a favorable climate for respect for rights, respect for the basic democratic principles of freedom, and the standard of living, as well as the elimination of all irregularities, in cooperation with international institutions that are in charge of it. The mission as well as the goal are the following commitments:

To expand the horizons for the preservation of Roma culture, tradition, customs and language

Respect for basic human rights and freedoms, and respect for all obligations that come with signing all international agreements

To maintain peace and stability in the world

Developing friendly relations between peoples based on respect, and equal rights between peoples

Cooperation to solve problems from an economic, social, cultural and human aspect regarding the Roma

To strengthen support for equal rights, fundamental freedoms, regardless of color, race, sex, language and religion

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