Patricia Caro Maya Succeeds Ioanida Costache as Barvalipe Academy Member
In accordance with the ERIAC Statute, which stipulates that no member of the Pakiv Board may simultaneously hold a position in the Barvalipe Academy, Dr. Ioanida Costache’s seat in the Barvalipe Academy was vacated following her election to the Pakiv Board in March 2025. Consequently, an extraordinary election was conducted by the Pakiv Board to appoint her successor, resulting in the selection of Patricia Caro Maya.
Dr. Costache was elected to her first term on the Pakiv Board, succeeding Gilda Horvath, whose service concluded on 20 February 2025 after completing the maximum two-term limit. Following a majority vote, Dr. Costache officially assumed her duties on 8 March 2025. In alignment with statutory provisions, her transition to the Pakiv Board necessitated her departure from the Barvalipe Academy, prompting the aforementioned succession process.
Additionally, Dezso Mate was elected as the new Vice-Chair, succeeding Dr. Costache in this role.
During the VII General Assembly meeting held in November 2024 in Berlin, the following representatives were appointed to the Barvalipe Academy after a formal nomination and election process within each thematic section:
Arts and Culture: Sami Mustafa, Isaac Blake
Research and Publication in the Fields of Arts and Culture: Carol Silverman, Dezso Mate
History and Commemoration: Pierre Chopinaud, Rafael Buhigas Jiménez
Media and Information in the Fields of Arts and Culture: Vera Lacková, Avni Mustafa
The ERIAC community welcomes Patricia Caro Maya as a Barvalipe Academy member!
Patricia Caro Maya
Ms. Patricia Caro Maya is a Spanish Member of the European Parliament (MEP), psychologist, and feminist activist dedicated to advocating for Roma rights, particularly for Roma women and girls. She assumed her seat in the European Parliament in November 2023, representing the Podemos party.
A strong voice against antigypsyism, she focuses on legislative initiatives to combat discrimination, improve education for Roma children, and address multiple discrimination against Roma women, including obstetric violence. Patricia is also actively engaged in Holocaust remembrance efforts for Roma and Sinti and encourages greater Roma participation in politics.
As one of the few Romani representatives in the European Parliament, she continues to push for structural change and equal opportunities for Roma across Europe.