On September 25, 2021 the Delegation of the Council of Europe´s Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (FCNM) visited the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture in Berlin to gain insight into ERIAC´s mission and programme work. The Delegation was formed by Ms Marie B. Hagsgård (in respect of Sweden), Mr Martin Collins (in respect of Ireland), Detlev Rein (in respect of Germany) and were accompanied by Agnes von Maravić, Policy Advisor of the Secretariat of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.
The visit was hosted by Iulius Rostas, Member of ERIAC Board; Andrea Petrus, Project Coordinator and curator of the exhibition “No Innocent Landscape” and Marc Hörler, ERIAC Office Manager.
The visit consisted of a small tour around the current solo exhibition of Valérie Leray “No Innocent Landscape” and a posterior discussion about ERIAC mission, presence nationally and internationally and programming; emphasizing ERIAC´s work of bringing Roma arts and culture to the most presigious cultural institutions and events like Venice Biennale, Milano Triennale, OFF-Biennale Budapest, among others.
As the Council of Europe states on its website “This is the fifth visit of the Advisory Committee to Germany. The delegation is having meetings in Bredstedt, Berlin and Cottbus with representatives of the government as well as civil society and representatives of national minorities to discuss the implementation of the Framework Convention. Following this visit, the Advisory Committee will draw up its fifth opinion on the implementation of the Framework Convention in Germany containing specific findings and recommendations for follow-up. The fifth opinion is expected to be adopted and published in 2022.”
The European Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (FCNM) is the most comprehensive multilateral treaty devoted to minority rights. Adopted under the auspices of the Council of Europe, it sets forth a number of principles according to which States are to develop specific policies to protect the rights of minorities.