The Roma Health Scholarship Program (RHSP)* fifth regional students` conference took place between September 6-8 in Novi Sad, Serbia. The conference presents a unique opportunity for over 30 health care professionals and students, all beneficiaries and alumni of the program, to come together and discuss health related issues facing Roma in their communities.
The conference provides space for medical professionals to come together and reflect on the needs of their community. Case studies and presentations were given on all four participating countries (Bulgaria North Macedonia, Romania and Serbia), with REF country coordinators facilitating the discussion. An impeding topic and issue that the program participants and country coordinators tried to address is the need to collectively organize as health care professional in the local community. REF utilized this forum as an opportunity to educate and introduce community level organizational practices and tools through the use of experts and collective brainstorming.
Charles Hirt, an expert with over twenty years of experience in community organization addressed the beneficiaries to discuss best practices of community organization and the associated tools and approaches in order to properly execute initiatives.
REF Policy and Advocacy Officer, Roland Ferkovics was also present to update the participants on Roma health related advocacy at the EU level, and REF’s direct involvement. Furthermore, he facilitated a workshop on how to utilize existing health networks in order to advocate for health-related matters and how to effectively build an advocacy plan communicating with the right actors. Emphasis was put on involving the community at every step and organizing the community in order to be involved in their local issues.
To conclude, students and alumni were tasked to come up with follow up actions that engage the community. Throughout the year, REF country coordinators will keep track of these actions in order to present their impact in the following conference.
*The aim of RHSP is to provide support for medical studies through scholarships, mentorship and advocacy training, for Roma students in Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Romania, and Serbia. By investing into a generation of Roma medical professionals and health care providers, the program aims to tackle and dismantle negative stereotypes and attitudes. Furthermore, the RHSP initiative aims to help increase the accessibility of health services to Roma, and boost their trust in health care systems. Beside the financial support for pursuing medical studies, the RHSP scheme encourages its beneficiaries and graduates to enhance their academic and professional development by participating in extra-curricular activities and by building academic and professional networks outside their universities. The RHSP Conference aims to foster this network and facilitate cross country learning and development among beneficiaries and alumni.
