Statement of Country Manger, Mr. Nadir Mohammed, at the Conference on Roma and Egyptians

I am very pleased to open this important conference for Roma and Egyptians in Albania. This is a very timely conference, as the country is currently finalizing its second progress report on the implementation of the “National Strategy for Social-Economic Development” NSSED. As you know, the World Bank supports the NSEED with its particular emphasis on poverty reduction and overall economic growth and development.

As there are still vulnerable and poor groups in Albania, such as the Roma and Egptians, we have organized this conference to first listen to a presentation of the key findings of the Needs Assessment, hear the voices of the Roma and Egyptians community representatives, and then discuss the possible next steps within the context of Albania’s poverty reduction strategy.

Background:

A recent Qualitative Poverty Assessment in Albania (2002) identified the Roma and Egptians communities as the poorest and most marginalized populations in Albania. In the framework of the NSSED and on the basis of the Qualitative Poverty Assessment, the Government of Albania had requested a Needs Assessment.

Donor coordination and support:

The Needs Assessment is supported by the American Embassy, Soros Foundation, Swiss Development Corporation, UNDP, and the World Bank.

Rational/ Objectives of Study:

The Needs Assessment investigated the socio-economic, cultural, institutional, and historical situation of Roma and Egyptians communities in 11 sites across Albania.  Its objectives were to:

Provide quantitative and qualitative data on these groups to assist the Albanian Government in drafting special programs for these communities;

Provide insights into social exclusion processes that affect these communities to help the Government meet some of the EU recommendations on ethnic minorities; and

provide advice on the design of concrete actions that facilitate the inclusion of Roma and Egyptians into Albanian society.

Key Findings:

This report presents key findings in regard to Roma and Egyptian culture, marriage and family planning, income and living standards, education, labor market, migration and remittances, prostitution and trafficking and social capital.

Conclusion of report:

The report concludes that both groups face social exclusion in different aspects of their lives. These aspects are related to economic restructuring, unemployment, poverty, weak government capacity, and discrimination. The combination of these factors, their linkages and dynamics increasingly trap their families into poverty, and makes the majority of both Roma and Egyptians “outsiders” to Albanian society. In contrast to mainstream society, both groups are denied participation in, and governance of, numerous aspects that affect their lives.  Roma and Egyptians conveyed that poverty and discrimination at the institutional and individual level were the primary causes of social exclusion.  They suggested that social exclusion could be addressed by creating more jobs and opportunities to attend schools and universities, and by hiring them to work in local and state administrative offices.

Recommendations of report

The study proposes some policy recommendations on how to improve the lives of Roma and Egyptians. Development programs for these communities should not be seen in isolation, but as part of a holistic development approach. Policies can be implemented individually, in combination, or in sequence, at the local, district, or national level, with the support of, and in partnership with, different government organizations, NGOs, Roma and Egyptian community organizations, the private sector, and international partners.

Past World Bank engagement regarding Roma and Egyptian issues

In 2002/03, World Bank supported an educational exchange program with Albanian Roma leaders and counterparts in Romania

In 2003, the World Bank has completed the following activities that relate to Roma and Egyptian poverty reduction:

Needs Assessment with donor support , including a 1-day conference for feedback with all Roma and Egyptian associations in October 2003;

European Roma conference in Budapest, with Mr. Wolfensohn, and Mr. Soros, and an Albanian Roma delegation as observers, in July 2003;

In November 2003 the World Bank in cooperation with OSI organized a Young Roma Leaders Study tour in Washington and New York

Small Grant Program / Competition funded the following activities during the period 2002-2004:

Roma women of the future

Integrating Roma and Albanian orphan children into the community

Experimenting new methods of learning for Roma and Albanian youth

All children are equal

Leadership training for Roma Women

Fostering of Roma children’s right and promoting coexistence in harmony with non-roma children

Possible next steps:

Social Services Delivery Project

Small Grant Program / Competition will be available

Upcoming work: The World Bank upcoming Country Assistance Strategy will consider the Needs Assessment, including its recommendations, and the outcome of this conference.

I again I would like to thank all participants for their attendance.

Albanian Version