he Foreign Policy Association and the Consulate General of Hungary recently hosted a special conference on the Roma of Europe.

The Roma are one of Europe's largest ethnic minorities with a population of about 10-12 million living in a number of Member States of the European Union. Roma communities have been present in Europe since the Middle Ages. However, Roma remain insufficiently understood and insufficiently integrated into the mainstream of the majority of societies from the Pyrenees to the Carpathians.

They are tainted by stereotypes and prejudices that manifest themselves in the form of economic, social and political discrimination. Steps are being taken at European and national levels to change this situation and support Roma inclusion. Are these adequate? Where has Europe failed in the past? What are the challenges to integrating this population into a united Europe? The conference aims to create a better understanding of the situation of Roma across Europe. It will also help to identify "policies that work" in promoting inclusion and highlight the plight of Roma communities.