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Celebrating GRT History Month: honouring rich cultures, addressing challenges, and embracing diversity #GRTSB #HigherEducation #DiversitySince 2008, every June marks the celebration of Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller (GRT) History Month across the UK. This annual event serves as a platform for celebration, education, and raising awareness about the rich cultural heritage and contributions of GRT communities. Speakers from diverse backgrounds within the GRT communities will share their experiences, stories, and perspectives on various aspects of GRT culture, history, and contemporary issues.
Key Points:
Community Voices: Engaging speakers from GRT communities will share personal narratives, shedding light on the challenges, triumphs, and aspirations of their respective communities.
Education and Empowerment: Attendees will have the opportunity to learn from the lived experiences and expertise of external speakers, fostering understanding, empathy, and solidarity within the broader community.
Networking and Collaboration:
The seminar will provide a platform for networking, dialogue, and collaboration among attendees, community leaders, policymakers, and organizations committed to supporting GRT communities and advancing social justice initiatives.
Speaker Biographies
Professor Thomas Acton
At 75, Thomas Acton is an emeritus or honorary professor of Romani Studies at three less-privileged universities. He is Patron of the Roma Support Group, and secretary of the Brentwood Gypsy Support Group. He ran the first Gypsy Council summer caravan school on an illegal site in 1967 and was a student helper at the 1971 World Romani Congress. He is now trying to do less activism and more writing
Joseph Jones
Joseph Jones is a Gypsy from Kent and has lived on the roadside, on sites and in housing at various times during his life. Joe has a long history of activism and campaigning for Gypsy Roma and Traveller rights particularly around accommodation and site provision. Joe has held a number of positions in various NGOs/Gypsy support organisations over the years and is currently Director of GRT Consulting, which supports Gypsies and Travellers in planning applications and in their dealings with local authorities and planners.
Crina Morteanu
Crina Morteanu has a background in Law and an LL.M in Human Rights obtained at Central European University in Budapest, Hungary. Since 2009, Crina has worked for various national and international organisations, advocating for Roma rights. In 2016, she was the Human Rights Counsellor of the Romanian Minister of Justice where she managed the portfolio of the Romanian penitentiary system and contributed to the implementation of the Romanian Roma Strategy 2015-2020. Currently, Crina is leading Luton Roma Trust, a charity based in Luton working towards improving the social situation of the Roma in Bedfordshire area and is a Ph.D. student at the University of London, Birkbeck College of Law where she researches the impact of the European Court of Human Rights’ margin of appreciation on Roma Rights
John Wilson
John is the Traveller Liaison & Equine Officer for Peabody Housing. He has worked with Romany Gypsy and Irish Traveller communities for almost 40 years with various roles including, community work in the voluntary sector, education and training, housing advice and caravan site management. Based mainly in South London and Kent John has managed accommodation for Romany Gypsies and Irish Travellers across the UK and Northern Ireland and been involved in European Union funded projects around social inclusion. His current post is about developing relationships with the Thamesmead Traveller community, working with Peabody colleagues to improve their knowledge and understanding of Gypsies Roma and Travellers, and exploring initiatives to reduce prejudice and discrimination. John also leads the management of all issues relating to equine management such as licenses and fly grazing on land belonging to the Peabody Group.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Bishop Hall Lane,MAR010,Chelmsford,CM1 1SQ,GB, United Kingdom
Tickets
