Regional systems 121 In 2011, CAHROM adopted an opinion on Parliamentary Assembly recommendation 1941 (2010) on Roma asylum seekers in Europe. It also approved an implementation report on the Committee of Ministers recommendation on Roma employment142 which includes member States’ good practices in this field, as well as a draft declaration on the rise of anti-Gypsyism and racist violence against Roma in Europe which was adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 1 February 2012. CAHROM is currently also drafting a recommendation on mediators, to encourage the use of mediators and establish basic principles for effective mediation which has maximum impact.143 European Alliance of Cities and Regions for Roma Inclusion A European Alliance of Cities and Regions for Roma Inclusion was agreed to at the Summit of Mayors in September 2011. Its aim is to help cities and regions increase their capacities for Roma inclusion, provide advice and support the exchange of experiences and practices. A core group of 11 cities and regions has been entrusted with setting up the Alliance. The role of local and regional authorities in the social inclusion of Roma is of paramount importance as most problems related to Roma health, education, employment and housing are, in general, the responsibility of these authorities. Education of Roma Children in Europe The future of Roma communities depends on the schooling of their children, as education is a key factor in comprehending the situation and achieving social integration. In 2002, the Council of Europe began the Education of Roma Children in Europe project, which supports the integration of Roma communities into the mainstream education system. Roma themselves were actively involved in initiating the project, including its design and execution. The project has developed a teaching kit to prepare Roma children who have not attended nursery school to better cope with their first primary school class; training seminars devoted to Roma issues, within the framework of the Council of Europe’s Pestalozzi programme for education professionals; a guide for Roma mediators or school assistants; teaching materials for use in classes of Roma and non-Roma children, designed to foster mutual understanding; and development of material on the Roma genocide during the Second World War.144 Teaching and learning of the Romani language The Council of Europe Language Policy Division fosters the teaching and learning of the Romani language in Europe through its Curriculum Framework for Romani.145 It draws on the Council’s Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, which focuses on ages 4-16, can be adapted to local contexts and needs, and is designed for practitioners, manual designers and policy decision makers. Supplementing the Curriculum Framework are two European Language Portfolio models (for ages 6-11 and 11-16), each comprising a personal document for the learner and a handbook for teachers. Translation of these materials into additional Romani dialects and national or official languages is encouraged. Recommendation Rec(2001)17 on improving the economic and employment situation of Roma/Gypsies and Travellers in Europe. 142 Further information on CAHROM is available from www.coe.int/roma. 143 See www.romagenocide.org. Further information on the project, which was concluded in 2009, is available from www.coe.int/t/dg4/education/roma/default_en.asp (accessed 4 December 2012). 144 See www.coe.int/t/dg4/linguistic/Source/Rom_CuFrRomani2008_EN.pdf (accessed 4 December 2012). 145