All good measures come to nothing If we can't sell them to public

Action plans are needed to address the Roma issue and to improve the Roma agenda's end goals, Government Proxy for Roma Communities Ábel Ravasz (Most-Híd) said at a working breakfast with journalists on Monday. Ravasz met with members of the press to present the work he has performed over the past ten months of being in office. "All the good steps we make come to naught if we can't sell them to the public, and that's what the action plans are for. Also, it's futile for us to make good steps when Roma remain discriminated against, either way," said Ravasz. The Government Proxy listed the new action plans from the Slovak Strategy for Integrating Roma by 2020 as among the top accomplishments for this agenda. The strategy puts great emphasis on education, for which €170 million out of the overall €380 million project is earmarked. "Then there's employment, housing, health and also a new addition in the form of an action plan for financial literacy. Also in the works are future action plans for non-discrimination and public opinion," he said. Ravasz also praised the fact that the Local Civic Order Service (MOPS) project, a follow up to the Roma civic patrols, has been revived successfully with a budget of €10 million. They will cooperate with police and assume the role of intermediaries, as some Roma people perceive police as a repressive force, according to Ravasz.