ANNA CSONGOR

KEY QUALIFICATIONS

Recognized as among the leading experts on Roma issues, Ms. Csongor has spent over 25 years developing and evaluating initiatives aimed at empowering the Roma population in Eastern Europe, particularly in the field of education.  Having worked for the Roma as both a teacher and as a social worker in the slums of Budapest, she has acquired a keen, inside perspective of the daily problems and challenges that Roma community face.  Ms. Csongor has integrated this knowledge of the Roma with her expertise in education and psychology.   She has applied her unique knowledge and experience in evaluating income-generating projects for the Roma population and leading efforts to improve their effectiveness.  She has also conducted research and assessments of policies seeking to strengthen the education for Roma children.  Through her collaboration with civil society groups, she has worked to empower the Roma communities socially and economically and promote civic participation.  Ms. Csongor’s is widely respected for her knowledge of the Roma population and is frequently invited to share her expertise at various lectures for scholars and professionals.  She currently serves as both the Co-Chair for the PARKIV European Roma Fund and the Executive Director of Autonómia Alapítvány—both organizations that are dedicated to improving the quality of life of the Roma.  Her proven record in community and civil society development has earned her several posts in various professional organizations, including one as Founding Trustee of the Foundation for the Education of Roma Children, Trustee for International Association for Community Development, Member of the Prime Minister’s Advisory Board on Roma Issues and another as Trustee for Soros Foundation (Hungary).

SELECTED WORK EXPERIENCE

PAKIV European and Roma Fund, 2000 to Present.  Ms. Csongor has worked to evaluate and improve upon of income-generating projects.  Her efforts led to the addition of employment component.  Ms. Csongor has also worked on programs aimed at leadership training and other social empowerment projects for the Roma communities in Hungary and in neighboring Eastern European countries.

Autonómia Alapítvány, 1993 to Present.  At her initial position as a program officer, Ms. Csongor worked on program planning, management and evaluation of projects focusing on poverty and ethnicity. Subsequently, she has worked on the EUROMA project aimed at improving the conditions for the Roma population in Romania, Slovakia, and Bulgaria.  She has collaborated with civil society groups to empower the Roma and strengthen their civic participation.

ELTE University of Budapest, Department of Social Work, 1994 to Present.   As the university’s expert on the Roma, Ms. Csongor provides lecture on Roma culture.

Hungarian Institute for Educational Research, 1982 to 1992.  As a research fellow, Ms. Csongor conducted extensive research on the education of Roma children.

PROFESSIONAL HISTORY

2000 – Present        Co-chair, PAKIV European Roma Fund, Budapest and Sophia      

1995 – Present        Executive Director, Autonómia Foundation, Budapest

1993 – 1995            Program officer, Autonómia Foundation, Budapest           

1994 – Present        Lecturer, ELTE University of Budapest, Dep. of Social Work, Budapest

1982-1992               Research Fellow, Hungarian Institute for Educational Research, Budapest

1978                       Research Fellow, Municipal Institute for Education of Budapest

1975-1982               Social Worker, Budapest 20th District Family Care Center

EDUCATION

Bachelor’s Teaching 1974

 Psychology 1981

 PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

2003 – Present         Member of the prime Minister’s Advisory Board on Roma Affairs

2002 – Present         Trustee, , Soros Foundation, Hungary

1999 – Present         Founding Trustee, Foundation Ottilia Solt (education, welfare)

1999 – Present         Member of supervisory board, Nonprofit Information Center Foundation

1999 – Present         Member of supervisory board, Environmental Partnership Foundation

1999 – Present         Trustee, IACD, International Association for Community Development

1999 – Present         Founding board member of Radio C, the first Hungarian Roma Radio

1998 – Present         Member, UNESCO Committee, Hungary

1996 – Present         Founding Trustee, Foundation for the Education of Roma Children

1994 – Present         Trustee, Shelter Foundation for the Homeless, Budapest

 LANGUAGES

Hungarian (native)

English (fluent)

German (proficient)

Russian (basic)