A/HRC/17/40 European Commission and the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights play an important role in this regard. Among other initiatives, the Special Rapporteur notes with interest the regular European Union Roma Summits, the European Commission’s communication on a framework for national Roma integration strategies, the 2010 amendment of Regulation (EC) No. 1080/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European Regional Development Fund as regards the eligibility of housing interventions in favour of marginalized communities, and the activities of the Integrated European Platform for Roma Inclusion. At the subregional level, the involvement of a number of European States in the Decade of Roma Inclusion 2005-2015 and the activities of the Roma Education Fund have also been important. 10. While the Special Rapporteur encourages cooperation of States with international and regional institutions, he also welcomes efforts taken by States at the national and local levels. He notes in particular the development of national action plans and strategies for Roma, national laws against racism and racial discrimination that provide good protection, and the emergence of good practices. For instance, the Special Rapporteur noted that Roma and Sinti communities in Germany acknowledged the commitment on the part of public institutions to ensure that the memory of the Roma and Sinti people is preserved (A/HRC/14/43/Add.2, para. 57). As further positive examples he also notes the establishment and training of Roma employment and health mediators, the establishment of mobile health clinics, the creation of job fairs, the establishment of Roma consultation mechanisms, and initiatives such as municipal Roma mediators. He also takes note of encouraging initiatives such as awareness campaigns focusing on the education of Roma girls, initiatives to ensure access to justice for Roma, and programmes on the training of Roma teacher assistants. 11. This non-exhaustive list of different initiatives developed at regional and national levels seems to demonstrate a certain degree of political will to prevent and eliminate racism and racial discrimination against Roma. Nevertheless, more remains to be done in the light of the current situation of Roma in Europe and in other regions, including Central Asia and Latin America. B. Persistent racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance against Roma 12. Roma are particularly exposed to racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and intolerance when it comes to the enjoyment of their rights to education, health, employment, housing, their political participation, access to citizenship and justice. The widespread discrimination Roma face feeds their marginalization and social exclusion in a vicious manner. For the most vulnerable, the situation can even be worse. This is the case, in particular, for Roma children, Roma women who suffer multiple forms of discrimination, and Roma migrants who face double discrimination as Roma and non-citizens. Furthermore, Roma are also victims of racist violence and abuse by private actors and public officials. 1. Challenges in the areas of economic, social and cultural rights 13. Roma children remain subjected to discrimination in the area of education. They suffer higher drop-out rates and poorer educational achievements, and are often victims of racial prejudices and harassment, both by teachers and students. In some countries, the lack of identification documents and the ignorance or limited knowledge of the teaching language are further barriers to their access to education. This was evidenced for instance 5