01 July 2016

THE Salvation Army Europe Conference on Integrated Roma Ministry took place in Bratislava, Slovakia from 16th – 19th April 2016, followed by the Roma Task Force meeting. The Conference was attended by Salvation Army leadership, officers, soldiers and staff involved in Roma ministry throughout Europe with the aim to share knowledge and expertise on Roma Ministry, to share best practices from Roma Corps and community-projects, to raise awareness, and to provide training on Roma culture and identity. 

The first session focused on 'bridge-building' with a presentation by Jo Clark from International Headquarters who spoke about integration and an integrated mission. This was followed by a discussion on what non-Roma need to know about Roma in order to engage in effective partnership in ministry. During the conference participants discussed challenges and opportunities of integration in ministry contexts involving short-term engagement with highly transient Roma. Another session focussed on training in church leadership, with separate sessions on discipleship and pastoral support. Small groups discussed some of the barriers to Roma participation in leadership. Presentations were also given touching on issues of Romani language, symbols and identity.
 
In the concluding session, participants discussed the vision for the future, with input from an external observer and researcher Veronika Nagy who presented her reflections about the work of The Salvation Army with Roma. Finally, Jeroen Hoogteijling, Chair of the Roma Task Force, summarised the main conclusions of the conference, concluding that The Salvation Army must anticipate and embrace change as we pursue an integrated and holistic mission.
 
After the conference, the Roma Taskforce met to evaluate the conference and consider the way forward in light of the presentations and discussions had.

Mapping the work with Roma and Anti-Human Trafficking

The EU Affairs Office of The Salvation Army is currently carrying out two mapping exercises on its work with Roma communities and anti-human trafficking. The aim is to gain an accurate overview of our activities in this area and build up a database of information about the work and ministry of The Salvation Army amongst the Roma and in the area of human trafficking.

Two European summary reports will be produced in the autumn based on the answers sent in. This can then be used to distribute externally to inform others about our work and will support the EU-level advocacy of The Salvation Army. 

Tags: Europe ___