” “"Promoting the independence of the Romany communities and fighting anti-Tziganism": this is the title of the awareness-raising campaign that will be launched in Moldavia and Ukraine today by the EU Commission and the Council of Europe. A project that, according to the promoters, aims "at improving the Romanies’ living conditions and ensure their fundamental rights are protected, by easing their access to services and encouraging their participation in social and political life as well as their independence". The initiative is jointly promoted by the local authorities and social players, considering that "Romanies are citizens of Europe" and that, "in some countries in Central and Eastern Europe, they account for over 5% of the population". In addition to public events, the campaign will include educational events "directed to government officers, teachers and mediators working against the trade of humans in Moldavia and Ukraine". In addition, yesterday the Council of Europe published, "in the run-up to the 2008 European football cup", a Declaration named "United against racism", to fight racial discrimination in this sport. The French footballer Lilian Thuram has been chosen as the endorser of the campaign.
