Parliament considers Gypsies, Travellers and local communities

The full debate makes worthwhile but, in the main, depressing reading. Most of the MPs who spoke, were intent on amending and increasing existing legal powers to remove unauthorised encampments faster and cheaper. They were also intent on preventing private unauthorised developments. Most took care to point out that they were only talking about the minority of Gypsies and Travellers though in some cases their intolerance was only thinly disguised.

After almost three and a half hours Marcus Jones Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (DCLG) brought the debate to a close, stating:
“I am, therefore, very pleased that, today, we have signalled our intention to seek a call for evidence to review the way in which existing powers are enforced and to understand what more can be done to tackle many of the issues raised in the debate”.

A number of MPs including David Linden, Andrew Slaughter, Kate Green, Tony Lloyd, Laura Pidcock and Paul Williams made strong speeches. These restored some balance into a debate that had seemed to focus on criminality ignoring two of the originally announced main themes. They raised important matters such as health, education, the Ministerial Working Group commitments, the removal by the government of accommodation needs assessments and the availability of sites.

For a fuller report and link to the official Hansard transcript: 

October 9 2017 parliamentary debate

What a day!

Click for more
Sue Mutter, Bobi Rostas, Jason Smith, Betsy Mobey, Josie O’Driscoll, Ruby Smith, Shelby Holmes, Kealy Sly, Arthur Ivatts, Lisa Smith, Hazel Marsh, Rose McCarthy

The ACERT mini-conference “The legacy of Plowden” was a lively and stimulating day, and the voices of the communities as strong and eloquent as ever. Here are some of the images of the day. Click here for full conference report and download of Arthur Ivatts presentation. Click on the  image for more pictures from the day 

 

 

50 years on: Education Rights for Gypsies, Roma and Travellers

Don’t miss out; places are going fast. 
The conference is free and there will be a snack lunch for those who book.

The Legacy of Plowden
ACERT mini-conference and 2017 AGM
23rd September 2017

50 years ago a report into Primary Education recognised that most Gypsies and Traveller children were not getting into school, and those who did, weren’t being treated well. Campaigners for Traveller Rights had made submissions to the enquiry, and after it was published used it to raise awareness and campaign for the education and other rights of the communities.

To celebrate the anniversary, ACERT’s 2017 mini-Conference and AGM will review what has, and has not, been achieved, and where we can go from here. Over the past few year, ACERT conferences have been interesting and enjoyable events, with the voices of community members to the fore; we believe this year’s will continue in this vein. Please come and share the day with us.

10:00am – 4:00pm
Waldo Williams Suite
FRIENDS MEETING HOUSE
173-7 Euston Road
London NW1 2BJ

Speakers & artists

Rose McCarthy, Brian Foster, Arthur Ivatts, Emma Johnson, Kelly Buckley, Kealey Sly, Besty Mobey, Screening of Hotchi by Jason Smith, Shelby Holmes, Bobby Rostas, Sapphire Grey, Ruby Smith, Jozeph Sadowski & Valdemar Kalinin, Christina Broadway, Rose McCarthy (Junior), Lisa Smith, Performance by Thomas McCarthy

Stalls
Bookstall, Travellers’ Times, Roma history exhibition, Porajmos exhibition, Friends, Families and Travellers .

These are provisional lists; check the website for updates. If you would like to participate let us please contact us.

We expect this to be a very special event and hope you will join us.

Online Cultural Competency Training

Drawing on our experience of delivering Gypsy and Traveller Cultural Awareness training to over 700 organisations and Local Authorities in the United Kingdom, we have developed an online learning programme which targets the key themes and questions arising amongst service providers about Gypsies and Travellers. The course is ideal for members of the statutory, voluntary or private sector wishing to engage or work more effectively with Gypsies and Travellers.

The course contains four modules:

  1. Gypsy and Traveller History and Culture;
  2. Challenges faced by Gypsies and Travellers;
  3. Positive Strategy – Accessing Services; and
  4. Positive Strategy – Participation.

Each module contains generalisable principles for better practice and learning opportunities about Gypsy and Traveller history, culture and more. The course can be completed in around 60 – 90 minutes and on completion, learners will receive a certificate to demonstrate their new knowledge and understanding of the Gypsy and Traveller culture and community.

Learning outcomes:

  • Increased knowledge of culture, traditions and history of the Gypsy and Traveller communities;
  • A better understanding of diversity within the Gypsy and Traveller communities;
  • Identified obstacles to access and attitudinal issues or barriers in education, health, employment, accommodation, safeguarding and other public services, that inhibit the delivery of quality provision to Gypsy and Traveller communities;
  • Improved understanding of how to engage effectively with the Gypsy and Traveller communities and what they can do to address exclusion and ensure inclusion in the delivery of services.

The training package allows it’s users to access learning at a time and place that suits them and offers cost savings for organisations and local authorities.

View an online demo

CLICK HERE TO VIEW A DEMO