Social Movements
Learn more about the current work of NGOs across Europe on Roma rights and what future initiatives they believe are most important.
Social Justice Issues
We asked NGOs working on Roma rights and inclusion what issues currently have the greatest impact on Roma social justice- here were some of their responses.
TernYpe
"We should try to take the structures and what is shaped by society and separate it from the culture, which many Rom[a] find in common when they meet abroad. Like us, here, we have a lot of differences, but we have those similarities that unite us in a sense. So how can we separate these societal structures and the mentality of having differences? To put this aside and look at broader similarities?" -Stelina Dungaj, Policy and Team Support Intern
Amaro Drom
“The lack of resistance is one of the biggest issues in my opinion. But my question is- how should the Roma embrace their voice when they were in concentration camps, you know what I mean? When over generations, people tell you you’re a slave, you’re a piece of sh*t, you will start to believe it.” -Vahide Berisha, Educational Consultant
Roma Entrepreneurship Development Initiative
"We know that we have more Roma than we had 20 years ago. Of course, in the rural localities where you live in generational poverty, the demographics are higher. But this is not related to the ethnic principle, ‘because we are Roma, we have more children’, this is about poverty itself. This is very much not understood within the general population, and these prejudices are growing a lot.” -Marek Chomanič, Consultant
RomArchive
“These stereotypes are still present, the ‘gypsy’ word, people don't know that it’s used in a harmful way, and it’s a violent term used by the Nazis and etcetera.” -Isabel Raabe, Curator
What is being done to create change?
NGOs and government initiatives across Europe debate about the best strategies to address issues regarding Roma rights. One thing that is widely agreed upon, though, is that youth initiatives will shape the future of the next generation of Roma people. Here is what some of these organizations are doing to create change.
Amaro Drom
Amaro Drom is a youth organization focused NGO that promotes collaboration between Roma youth and also among Roma and non-Roma youth. They host the annual Federal Youth Summit, which fosters dialogue surrounding lived experiences, social rights, and cultural and political issues. The Federal Youth Summit also provides the opportunity for these youth to engage in art and communication workshops, as well as meet and discuss with community figures and local politicians.
