International Roma Day provides an opportunity to mark the achievements of Europe's largest minority group, to celebrate the diversity of their culture and highlight the many challenges Roma face.
Two decades ago my Open Society Foundations supported democratic development in Eastern Europe. We continue working across Europe because open societies of course are far from immune to problems. And the problems are especially acute for Europe's some 12 million Roma.
Widespread discrimination, high unemployment, segregated schools, hate crimes, and inadequate health care are all hallmarks of life for the Roma—not the kind of life you would expect in Europe today. Resolving this issue is vital to the future economic prosperity of Europe.
The greatest divide between the Roma and majority populations is not one of culture or lifestyle but of poverty and inequality. Roma want to—and can—integrate if they are given the opportunity, as shown by the work of my Open Society Foundations.
Much has changed since my foundations began working to improve the lives of Roma.
Roma share the same aspirations of the majority populations: a home with adequate services, a decent education for their children, and jobs that enable them to provide for their families. It is because they face appalling discrimination and deprivation at home that they continue to migrate across Europe. However there is a way to turn round this situation. That is through education from the earliest years to the university. We have seen the results.
Today we support the Roma community and the mainstream population in efforts to break the cycle of poverty and exclusion. We must make governments more accountable to their citizens so that we share responsibility and together work towards this goal.