Over the course of two days, eight different panels discussed topics related to members of the Roma community as well as members of other vulnerable groups.

The forum began with a panel entitled "What Activism Looked Like in the Community in the Past", featuring speakers Dr. Milivoje Pajović, representative of the City of Belgrade, Ana Brtka Valent, director of the Ecumenical Humanitarian Organization, and Ljiljana Mihajlović, director of the Office for Roma Inclusion of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina. The panelists spoke about the importance of activism, especially when it comes to supporting young people in initiatives aimed at changes in the community, and society as a whole.

Within the thematic block "Windmills of Change", panelists Ivana Filipov, a lawyer in the Office of the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, Mihajlo Jovanović, a member of the Ecumenical Humanitarian Organization, and Aleksandar Jovanović, a representative of the Vojvodina Roma Center for Democracy, spoke about their experiences so far and examples of good practice in the fight against Gypsyism. When asked by the audience about the engagement of youth in activism, the panelists agreed that greater participation of young activists would be welcome, but also that young people are significantly engaged in social change, noting that the fight for equality is eternal and necessary.

At the thematic session dedicated to education - "Paths to Success", Ljiljana Mihajlović, Director of the Office for Roma Inclusion of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, Mirjana Sulejmanović, Research Associate at the Faculty of Technology in Novi Sad, and Ružica Oršić, from the Girls' Club of the Ecumenical Humanitarian Organization, spoke. Mihajlović emphasized the importance of adapting educational programs to the needs of Roma children and how inclusive education can contribute to reducing prejudice. Sulejmanović shared the results of her research, which show that a creative approach and practical activities can increase students' motivation. Ružica Oršić pointed out the importance of empowering girls through education, providing them with opportunities to develop skills and self-confidence, and her experiences are also an inspiration for others to continue working in the field of inclusion.

During the third panel, dedicated to the media, participants shared experiences on breaking stereotypes about the Roma community through media reporting. Branko Đurić, editor of the Roma editorial office “Rromanipen” on RTS, highlighted the importance of the media in presenting Roma culture and identity, emphasizing the need for Roma voices to be present in the media in order to change perceptions and reduce prejudice. Aleksandar Nedeljković, a journalist in the editorial office of Telegraf – Portal in the Romani language, shared with the attendees the challenges he faces in reporting on Roma topics, pointing out the importance of an authentic and positive portrayal of the Roma community. Una Beriša, a journalist in the Roma editorial office of Radio Belgrade, emphasized the role of the media in creating a dialogue between the Roma and the wider social community, which, as she said, contributes to building a more inclusive society.

The first day of the Forum ended with a panel discussion on migration and returnees, which discussed the challenges of living between two worlds. Nenad Vladisaljev, from the Roma Students’ Association, highlighted the specific problems that the Roma community faces during migration, including challenges of identity and integration into new environments. Stanislava Kulidžan from Help – Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe eV spoke about support for returnees and the importance of returnee programs. She pointed out the need to create sustainable solutions that will enable returnees to build a better future. Milisav Milinković from the Ecumenical Humanitarian Organization presented the humanitarian aspects of migration, emphasizing the role of organizations in facilitating the adjustment process.

The second day of the Forum began with a topic on political perspectives – “Stars under the same sky”, where panelists discussed key political aspects affecting the Roma community and migration. Dejan Marković from the Roma Forum of Serbia emphasized the importance of including Roma in political processes. Igor Jovanović, Deputy President of the Belgrade City Assembly, emphasized the importance of cooperation between the Government and civil society for achieving sustainable results in protecting the rights of minority communities. His vision is that all citizens, regardless of ethnicity or cultural differences, feel equal and respected in society.

On the topic of culture – “Roots of the Future”, Zejna Murkić, artist, and Slobodan Stanković, theater director spoke. The panelists shared their experiences so far, emphasizing the importance of mutual cooperation and understanding in their fields of work. Zejna Murkić emphasized that her work as an artist often reflects the struggle for the recognition and preservation of Roma culture, while Slobodan Stanković emphasized the importance of creating a platform that allows Roma artists to show their talent and contribution.
On the topic of housing and legalization of facilities – “Beyond the Margin”, the panelists presented the problems of Roma housing. Siniša Marinković, coordinator for Roma issues in the Municipality of Zvezdara, spoke about the importance of legal regulations for improving housing conditions. Slađana Jovanović, project coordinator from the Ecumenical Humanitarian Organization, presented practical aspects of work in humanitarian organizations and how they solve the challenges of legalization. Nikola Nikolić, as a lawyer, emphasized the importance of legal advice and support for Roma families.

The last panel was dedicated to the culture of remembrance – “Breaking the Silence” during which the importance of remembrance and how it can contribute to overcoming the silence surrounding important historical events was discussed. Ivan Bošnjak, State Secretary at the Ministry for Human and Minority Rights and Social Dialogue, Marina Simeunović, activist and historian Dr. Milovan Pisari spoke on this topic. They shared their work on this very important topic with the attendees, agreeing that institutional support can help preserve memory and acknowledge and recognize important events from the past. Their shared perspective enabled open communication and exchange of ideas on how to create space for recognition and understanding of past events, especially the genocide against the Roma during World War II.

The Roma Activism Forum 2024 provided a platform for dialogue, exchange of ideas, and development of strategies to strengthen Roma communities and promote inclusion in society.

The forum was organized through the project "Social Inclusion for a Dignified Life of Roma and Other Vulnerable Persons in Serbia 2023-2026", supported by the Swiss organization HEKS/EPER and implemented by the Ecumenical Humanitarian Organization from Novi Sad.