Lodz Congress

   This May 2002 congress was called by the organizers the "Second World Congress"-the coronation of the Polish Romani king in 1935 being counted as the first and ignoring the congresses organized by the International Romani Union (IRU). The event was initiated by the Romani National Congress with the strong support of the European Union. It was preceded by a period of discussion via the Internet, and the congress was partially on line with the opportunity to vote via the Internet. There were some 50 participants, including Roma from 30 organizations.

   The first day of the congress was taken up with keynote speakers, including Nicolae Gheorghe. On the second day, a ceremony was held at the site of the Lodz Ghetto, set up by the Nazis during World War II. That afternoon and on the following day, three working groups met. The three groups debated Romany representation at the international level, compensation for the Holocaust, and the question of refugees and other migrants.

   The congress appointed an Executive Committee to serve for one year. Six members were elected, including Agnes Daróczi, Ondrej Gina, and Rudko Kawzcynski. The seventh place was to be left open for a representative of the IRU. The committee was given the task of setting up a body to be called the Romany Council of Europe. The congress supported the idea of a European Roma Forum with membership open to all Roma organizations and leaders.

   The organization Drom from Kumanovo, Macedonia, had featured the peace song "Is Love Enough?" for its celebrations of 8 April-Roma Nation Day-and the song was adopted as the song of the congress.