Resources

The presentation of Roma Virtual Network

"Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor dark of night shall stay the courier from his appointed rounds." -- Herodotus

Roma Virtual Network: overview, needs, perspectives

Roma Virtual Network is a public, non-partisan, non-profit grass-roots initiative currently under the auspices of European Roma Information Office www.erionet.org.ERIO

It is aimed to provide the international Romani community and friendly non-Roma organizations and individuals with useful information on Roma issues in variety of languages via the Internet.

Date of establishment: 19 July 1999.

It has been started as a private initiative and gained the recognition of many national and international, governmental and non-governmental NGOs dealing with Roma issues, especially in Europe. It contains 29 electronic mailing lists with a total membership over 4,500 e-mail addresses.

The activity of RVN is actively helping to facilitate the cooperation and exchange of information within Roma organizations and individuals, between Roma and non-Roma organizations and individuals and also between Roma NGOs and official institutions. It relates with the variety of Roma-related political, cultural, economic and social issues on local and international levels. It is aimed to support the improvement of the Romani situation in Europe and other regions of the world.

Implemented and current information projects:

- Net support to "Domari: The Society of Gypsies in Israel" (based in Jerusalem, Israel). Dates: 21.10.1999 - 21.09.2001. Result: Affirmation and promotion of Israeli Gypsy organization via e-mailing lists and two web pages in cooperation with Domari Research Center (based in Cyprus).

- Net support to RomNews Network (based in Hamburg, Germany). Dates: 01.07.2002 - until present. Result: providing the clients of RomNews Network with the articles and essays on Romani issues.

- Providing of informational support to Russian Romani families living in Israel with European Romani magazines and printed copies of articles in Romanes, German and Russian. Started in November 1999.

- Net support to "International Romani Union" (based in Prague, Czech Republic).

Dates: 27.07.2000 - until present. Result: Affirmation and promotion of IRU`s activities via e-mailing lists.

Activities done on behalf of IRU: Distribution of useful information regarding other Roma organizations and communities worldwide.

Reply on inquiries. Information research upon requests.

E-mailing group lists on Yahoo:

PERSPECTIVES WITHIN THE NEXT 5 YEARS:

1. Establishment of international Romani media corporation on a basis of already existing "Roma Virtual Network".

2. Formation of all-Romani database with video-archive and library as an integral part of European Roma Information Office`s structure.

3. Persistent development of "Roma Virtual Network" as a helpful and useful tool of communication between Roma in CIS & Baltic States and Roma in other parts of the world.

Until today the activities of Roma Virtual Network were financially supported with occasional donations by friendly individuals, churches and NGOs, but there is a need in a permanent sponsor already familiar with Roma issues.


This report has been prepared by Mr. Valery Novoselsky
Editor, Roma Virtual Network.
Consultant, European Roma Information Office
http://www.erionet.org/staff.html
Alumni, Roma Diplomacy Programme
http://www.diplomacy.edu/Roma/participants.asp



Contact in-

Israel:

Mr. Valery Novoselsky
P.O.Box 3331
Kiryat-Shemona
ISRAEL 11019

Mobile: 00972-54-7878797

Home: 00972-4-6904085

Fax: 00972-4-6817854

 
in Bulgaria:

Mr. Valery Novoselsky
Central Post Office
P.O.Box 6
7200 Razgrad
BULGARIA

Mobile: 00359-89-6903054

Skype: valery_novoselsky

E-mail: romale@zahav.net.il

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