On 2 July 2026, the Council of Europe (CoE) Roma and Travellers Division came to the UK Westminster Parliament to launch the first full CoE strategy for Roma and Traveller rights across Europe. The event was hosted by Mary Kelly Foy MP, Chair of the UK All Party Parliamentary Group on Gypsies, Travellers and Roma issues. Speakers included colleagues from the CoE Roma and Travellers Division, also Georgios Stamatis, the first CoE Special Rapporteur for Roma and Traveller rights appointed from the Parliamentary Assembly (PACE), members of the Gypsy, Traveller and Romani communities, researchers and other activists and advocates from across the UK and beyond.
IFSW Europe was represented by Allison Hulmes of Swansea University who was also a main speaker, bringing her expertise from experience and activism as a member of the Welsh Romani community, and from her role as a researcher. IFSW Europe President Dr Ruth Allen also attended and spoke of IFSW’s recognition of Romani and Traveller oppression and marginalisation across Europe – both current and historical – and the importance of anti discriminatory social work playing a key part in tackling the widespread and systemic disadvantage and poverty experienced by communities across wider Europe and beyond.
Allison represents IFSW Europe and the Conference of International NGOs (CINGO) in the regular CoE Steering Group for Roma and Traveller rights and will be informing IFSW Europe on how we can push forward this vital social justice agenda.
Read the Roma and Traveller Inclusion Strategy here:
042726ENG_Strategy Roma inclusion
Read Allison Hulmes reflections on the importance of the strategy and the launch in Westminster CoE Strategy for Roma and Traveller Inclusion launch (1)
