On this the last day of the World Conference Against Racism, while the majority of delegates, NGOs and media were strolling outside in the open-air markets and purchasing malachite curios, carved wooden spoons and beaded jewelry, 26 people, most of whom were Roma themselves, met in earnest to discus the challenges Roma face in preserving their language, values and culture.

Chairing the panel was Delia Grigore, a linguist and executive president of the Roma Center for Public Policies in Bucharest, Romania. Also on the panel were Miranda Voulasranda, Finland's Minister of Health and Welfare; Refika Mustafic, Program Coordinator of Yugoslavia's European Roma Rights Center and Helge Valama, a Finish Citizen and a representatiave of the European Network Against Racism.

Grigore urged the world to allow Roma children to be taught in their native tongue, rather than be forced to learn in the official language of each nation. She also encouraged the group to afford Roma children -- as well as majority group children -- the opportunity to study Roma literature and history in mainstream schools.

Challenged to explain why assimilation is disastrous for the Roma people as well as to clarify why their culture must be taught in public schools, Grigore explained that "We think that assimilation is no good for us because it will change our culture. We are one culture of all the culture in the world. We have a minimum right to exist. Assimilation means that we will no longer be Roma. This is for me a sign that in fifty years, if we are not going to cultivate our language in public education, our language will die."

Though all the panelists agreed with Grigore that Roma should not be "forced to assimilate,"each calling the question "provocative," it was Voulasranola who assured the assembly that Roma children need to learn their histories in public school to reinforce their cultural identity and ensure their collective cultural pride.