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Every June since 2008, people from across the UK have celebrated Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month (GRTHM). Through celebration, education and raising awareness, Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month helps to tackle prejudice, change the story, and amplify the voices of Gypsies, Roma and Travellers in wider society (Friends, Families and Travellers (gypsy-traveller.org)

At Sussex we are committed to becoming an equal, diverse, and inclusive community. Inclusive Sussex outlines a strategic priority to create an approach to race equality work. Current projects to support this work include our Race Equality Charter Institutional Bronze award and action plan, our Anti-Racist Pledge and our commitments under the Gypsy, Roma, Traveller, Boaters and Showmen  Pledge (GRTBS).

The GRTBS Pledge acknowledges our commitment to eliminating the inequalities experienced by the GRTBS community and developing an inclusive culture at Sussex. We secured the Pledge in June 2023, and have developed several initiatives since then, including:

• January saw a Student Connector led event ‘Celebrate Gypsy, Roma and Traveler Heritage and Culture’ a chance to try authentic tea and chat but also to create a visibility for students.
• In February, we hosted an exhibition on ‘Remembering the Roma Holocaust’; this then moved onto public space in Brighton Library.
• In February, Professor Roberta Piazza organised a symposium on ‘Deemed Dirty: Are current representations of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities as an environmental problem based on facts or myths? Transformations in the lives of Gypsies and Travellers in present day neo-liberalism
• In March, Romani storyteller, author and playwright Richard O’Neill gave a seminar to students organised by the Belong at Sussex team; this was followed by an Introduction to Romani Language workshop.
• In April, the Sussex Law School clinic Street Law was shortlisted for national award. One aspect of their work this year, led by Jeanette Ashton, was supporting GRTSB communities in partnership with Friends, Families and Travellers
• Throughout the year the widening participation team, led by Chris Derbyshire have been supporting learners with GTRSB heritage in their Primary and Secondary school environments – focusing on attainment and progression. Students on MAH U/G course have also contributed to activity in this area

However, probably the most visual indicator of our commitment was signified by Professor David Rubain’s (Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Culture, Equality and Inclusion) welcoming the loan of the Gypsy cob-horse sculpture from the National Trust ‘Changing Chalk Partnership’, currently stabled outside Jubilee Building.

For GRT History Month 2024 the working group will be hosting a lunch and learn with members of the Race Equality Charter Self-Assessment Team.

To get involved, or for further information on GRTSB communities you can contact Dr Emily Danvers or Chris Derbyshire. The following links may also provide useful resources:

-          GRT History Month Resources produced by Friends, Families and Travellers

-          A Reading List formulated by Leeds Beckett University

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