Alumnus László Jakab Speaks for Roma Youth at European Parliament Conference

Public policy alumnus László Jakab’s presentation at the European Parliament’s “Anti-Gypsyism: lost cause?” conference in December has been published on Kettős Mérce, a popular online blog, and on Roma React, an international blog that is run by ERGO, a European Roma network. “I was delighted to have the opportunity to participate in this event and have my voice heard by others,” says Jakab. Making his voice heard on Roma issues is something that Jakab is particularly determined to do.

Although he enjoyed “a fabulous childhood,” he – like many Roma – experienced prejudice and discrimination. He credits the support and encouragement of his parents and teachers who urged him to apply to college. When he was enrolled in a social worker educational program in Szeged, he became involved with Romaversitas. “It was an unbelievable experience,” he remembers. This led him to TERNYPE, an international Roma youth network through which he met other Roma young people, attended conferences and meetings, and organized campaigns. After graduating in January 2013, he worked for a couple of months before applying to CEU’s Roma Access Program. “In the past, I had always been pushed by others. This time was different. Applying to CEU was something I took the initiative to do,” he says.

Jakab says that he acquired some particularly valuable skills during his time at CEU – “learning how to handle a large workload, making and justifying arguments based on evidence, time management, and critical thinking.”

Since graduating from CEU in 2015, Jakab has done several internships – with OSI’s Roma Initiatives Office and then the Romaversitas Foundation, an NGO helping Roma students in tertiary education by providing them with stipends, training, and support. It was while interning with Romaversitas that he began to write articles and op-eds for Kettős Mérce critically reflecting on policy issues affecting the Roma in Hungary.

Jakab is currently doing a year-long traineeship with the EEA Grants and Norway Grants dealing with grant management that he says he is truly enjoying. He is not sure what the future holds, but Jakab is sure that he will remain involved with Roma issues. “This is what I am particularly interested in,” he says.