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Miranda VuolasrantaFinnish activist of Roma descent
Date of Birth: 01.01.1959
Country:  Finland |
Content:
- Growing up Romani
- Early Activism and Advocacy
- Return to Finland and Journalism
- Education and Advocacy
- International Roles
- ERTF Presidency
- Criticism
- Awards and Recognition
- Golden Wheel Award (2007) - International Romani Union
Miranda Vuolasranta: A Trailblazing Romani Activist, Educator, and Expert
Miranda Vuolasranta, born in 1959, is a Finnish Romani activist, Romani language educator, and expert on Romani rights. As the current President of the European Roma and Travellers Forum (ERTF), she has dedicated her life to advocating for the empowerment and well-being of the Romani community.
Growing up Romani
Vuolasranta grew up in a traditional Romani family, embracing her Romani heritage alongside her knowledge of Finnish, Swedish, and Romani languages. Despite her parents' illiteracy, they instilled in her the importance of education.
Early Activism and Advocacy
In her youth, Vuolasranta faced pressure from teachers to suppress her Romani identity for success in Finnish society. However, this experience ignited a passion for advocacy. After completing her teacher's diploma in Romani language and history in Sweden in the 1970s, she became a vocal advocate for Romani rights, initially as part of a working group on Finnish Romani immigration to Sweden, where she lived at the time.
Return to Finland and Journalism
In the 1980s, Vuolasranta returned to Finland and used journalism as a platform to champion Romani issues. In 1989, she joined the Finnish National Advisory Board for Romani Affairs as a representative of the organization "Romano Missio."
Education and Advocacy
Throughout the 1990s, Vuolasranta continued her advocacy. She developed Romani language teaching materials for schools in 1995 and campaigned for the fulfillment of Finland’s legal obligations to provide translations for Romani-speaking communities in media and education. In 1997, she became a Planning Officer at the National Advisory Board for Romani Affairs, and in 1998, became the first Romani General Secretary of the Advisory Board for Romani Affairs under the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.
International Roles
From 2002 to 2006, Vuolasranta delved into Romani issues at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. She served as Executive Director of the Finnish National Roma Forum from 2008 to 2012. Subsequently, she worked at the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and as a Policy Officer for the European Commission from 2013 to 2015. She has held various other positions, including Chairperson of the European Roma and Travellers Forum.
ERTF Presidency
Since 2020, Vuolasranta has served as President of the ERTF. In this role, she has called for Romani unity in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, acknowledging the high-risk status of many Romani communities.
Criticism
برخی از اعضای برجسته جامعه روما در فنلاند، از جمله هنرمند 키바 룸버그, خواننده راینر فریمن و نویسنده ویجیو بالتزار، ماریندا وولاسرانا را مورد انتقاد قرار داده و اظهار داشتند که او رهبری رومانیهای محافظهکار را بر عهده دارد که تمایل دارند مشکلات را کماهمیت جلوه دهند و صدای منتقدان را حذف کنند. در سال ۲۰۰۸، وولاسرانا مجبور به پرداخت. جریمه پس از آن کیبا لومبرگ او را به افترا متهم کرد.
Awards and Recognition
Vuolasranta has received numerous accolades for her tireless advocacy:
