The Roma women network “USPJEH” and OSCE Mission in Bosnian and Herzegovina organized a ceremony on World Roma day in National Assembly of Republic of Srpska. This event was part of regional project “For Active inclusion and rights of Roma women in western Balkan II” supported by Austrian Development Agency through CARE International, Balkans.

Attendees had the opportunity to learn more about the work of Roma women's network and activities during month of Roma women activism and the importance of marking the World Roma day as the largest national minority in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The World Roma Day, April 8, is celebrated in honor of the First Roma Congress held on April 8, 1971 in London, considered one of the most important dates in Roma history. The congress was attended by Roma representatives from fourteen countries of the world.  

One of the most important decisions was the acceptance of the Roman flag and the official anthem. The flag in the lower part consists of a green color symbolizing the earth (grass), and in the upper part of the blue color symbolizing the sky. The red wheel represents Roma travel and migration. The official Roman anthem is based on the old roman song "Đelem, Đelem" (I'm going, I'm going).

The first congress of Roma resulted in the proclamation of the official Roma language - Romani chiba, as well as the official acceptance of the name Roma, which in Roma language means man. The name "Roma" was chosen to avoid the name "Gypsy" which had a negative meaning.