Education
- Education of Roma ChildrenA resource from Council of Europe.
Roma Education in Europe by
For the last three decades, the international response to the adverse conditions of Roma has been intensive, producing a plethora of educational policies, reforms, and strategies that have been developed and implemented. This edited volume gathers together prominent international scholars, advocates and activists, with the purpose of offering a comprehensive and integrated understanding of how historical, political, and cultural forces shape educational experiences and social policy for the Roma population in Europe. The book uses theoretical and empirical lenses to understand the formal and informal education of Roma. Through the contextualised theorisation of Roma education it illustrates, illuminates and discusses issues of wider concern. Interdisciplinary conceptual frameworks bind the chapters together and offer an in-depth examination of the questions and issues relevant to the field of education, structuring the book around three central themes: -schooling and social policy; the promises and pitfalls of multiculturalism, integration and inclusion and the deconstruction of educational policies and law -education inside and outside schools; empirical accounts of life in school and the achievements and missed opportunities of the Decade of Roma Inclusion -participation, activism and advocacy; investigating the responsibilities of Roma and non-Roma intellectuals, educators, activists and advocates. Roma Education in Europe grapples with uneven economic and political developments, and as a result, with the possibilities and shortcomings of integration, social justice, and the role of supranational agencies in changing the course of schooling and education. The book will be key reading for those researching or studying Romani studies, education, sociology, and cultural, ethnicity and immigration studies.
Call Number: LC3516.E85 R663 2013ISBN: 9780415535984Publication Date: 2013-05-06
Ten Years After by
The volume presents the results collated in the frames of the fact finding project led by the editor. The analysis includes the examination of a large number of legal documents and policy statements issued by national authorities and the international community on the matter. A critical overview is also made about the various Roma-specific political campaigns on national and European scale. The second half of the book contains interviews with activists that assumed a leading role in school desegregation. These testimony pieces have been critically reviewed by educational and policy analysts from the concerned countries.
Call Number: 371.82991497 T25ISBN: 9786155053139Publication Date: 2012-04-15
Inclusion from the Start by
Like any other children, Roma children have the right to education. They are all born with talents and potential, just like other children, and are capable of succeeding and contributing to society - if they are accepted by the majority and educated in inclusive early childhood services and schools. However, many Roma children in Europe continue to face discrimination, segregation and exclusion from quality early childhood care and education (ECCE). Inclusion from the start - Guidelines on inclusive early childhood care and education for Roma children envisions ECCE as an important stepping stone toward inclusive participation in school and society. By fostering good health, well-being, school readiness and the value of equality and living together in the early years, society can help Roma children get a good start in primary school. These guidelines provide guidance on key themes in ECCE - such as the conceptualisation of ECCE services, agenda setting, curricular and pedagogical approaches, staff training and professional development, assessment and transition to primary education - and highlight examples of good practice. It is hoped that they will support the work of policy makers, early childhood educators and their trainers, Roma organisations, NGOs and international organisations and contribute to making a real change in the lives of young Roma children.
Call Number: 371.82991497 In213ISBN: 9789231000164Publication Date: 2014-08-13
Social and Economic Vulnerability of Roma People by
This open access volume provides an understanding of the different aspects of success, school continuity and social mobility among European Roma, including the motives justifying the high rates of school dropout and failure among this group. It offers a critical and reflexive perspective about social reality from a multidisciplinary and transversal point of view, sharing knowledge and practices in different countries about the articulations between Roma families, individuals, school and public policies. Over time, there has been an increase in the educational attainment of European citizens, but there are still persistent inequalities between Roma and non-Roma, including gender inequalities, which greatly affect Roma women. The volume explores the issue of Roma education and includes chapters from Western European, South and Central and Eastern European researchers using different theoretical and methodological perspectives. The intersection of this diversity and plurality of standpoints makes possible to obtain a comprehensive view on the education and schooling of European Roma.
Call Number: Online ResourceISBN: 9783030525873Publication Date: 2021-02-09
History and Culture
A History of the Romani People by
A thousand years ago, a group of people who later became the Romani were driven out of northern India by an invading army. This group then took to traveling the world, adopting words, cultural customs, and religious beliefs from the people they encountered. Romani authors Hristo Kyuchukov and Ian Hancock explain why Gypsy is a scornful name and why they prefer to be called Romanies.
Call Number: Q. 305.891497 K658ISBN: 1563979624Publication Date: 2005-10-01
Another Darkness, Another Dawn by
Vilified and marginalized, the Romani people--widely referred to as Gypsies, Roma, and Travellers--are seen as a people without place, either geographically or socially, no matter where they live or what they do. In this new chronological history of the Romani, Another Darkness, Another Dawn demonstrates how their experiences provide a way to understand mainstream society's relationship with outsiders and immigrants. Becky Taylor follows the Gypsies, Roma, and Travelers from their roots in the Indian subcontinent to their travels across the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires to Western Europe and the Americas, exploring their persecution and enslavement at the hands of others. Rather than seeing these peoples as separate from society and untouched by history, she sets their experiences in the context of broader historical changes. Their history, she reveals, is ultimately linked to the founding of empires; the Reformation and Counter-Reformation; numerous wars; the expansion of law, order, and nation-states; the Enlightenment; nationalism; modernity; and the Holocaust. Taylor also shows how the lives of the Romani today reflect the increasing regulation of modern society. Ultimately, she demonstrates that history is not always about progress: the place of Gypsies remains as contested and uncertain today as it was upon their first arrival in Western Europe in the fifteenth century. As much a history of Europe as of the Romani, Another Darkness, Another Dawn paints a revealing portrait of a people who still struggle to be understood.
Call Number: DX115 .T39 2014ISBN: 9781780232577Publication Date: 2014-04-15
The Romani world : a historical dictionary of the the gypsies by Call Number: 909.0491497 K411h2004 (Reference Only)ISBN: 1902806263Publication Date: 2004
Roma Studies
Multi-disciplinary approaches to Romany studies by
"What makes us gypsies, who knows?!": Ethnicity and reproduction / Judit Durst -- Constructing culture through shared location, Bricolage and exchange: the case of gypsies and Roma / Judith Okely -- The Romani musicians on the stage of pluri-culturalism: the case of the Kaly i Jag group in Hungary / Katalin Kovalcsik -- Harming "cultural feelings": images and categorisation of temporary Romani migrants to Graz/Austria / Stefan Benedik -- Crediting recognition: monetary transactions of poor Roma in Tercov / Yasar Abu Ghosh -- On the borders of gender: marriage and the role of the "child" amongst Hungarian gypsies / Cecília Kovai -- "Passing": Rebeka and the gay pride. On the discursive boundaries and possibilities of skin colour / Kata Horváth -- The employment of Roma, Turks and Bulgarians. A comparative report based on the outcome of the multipurpose household survey 2007 / Alexey Pamporov -- From 'time-banditry' to the challenge of established historiographies: Romani contributions to old and new images of the Holocaust / Huub van Baar -- The other genocide / Michael Stewart -- "The unhidden Jew". Jewish narratives in Romany life, stories / Zsuzsanna Vidra -- Nomads' land? Political cultures and nationalist stances vis-à-vis Roma in Italy / Giovanni Picker -- Not always the same old story: spatial segregation and feelings of dislike towards Roma and Sinti in large cities and medium-size towns in Italy / Tommaso Vitale, Enrico Claps -- The web against discrimination? Internet and gypsies/travellers activism in Britain / Marcelo Frediani -- Romany/gypsy church or people of God? The dynamics of Pentecostal mission and Romani/Gypsy ethnicity management / Johannes Ries -- Claiming legitimacy in/of a Romany NGO / Hana Synková.
Call Number: 305.891497 M91ISBN: 9786155053160Publication Date: 2011
All Change! by
Offering new perspectives on the Romani experience, this volume investigates the culture’s origins, history, and identity. Written by leading Romani scholars, this authoritative account considers various topics, including how linguistics has clarified the origins of the Roma, how Gypsies have been classified in Russian research, and how the history of the Gypsy diaspora has shaped Romani culture. Arguing for the exploration of personal and family histories, this study delves into the newly emergent Romani academic community and takes heed of its reflections and reassessments of previous ideas surrounding Romani life.
Call Number: 305.891497 AL51ISBN: 9781905313785Publication Date: 2010-04-01
Shakir M. Pashov. History of the Gypsies in Bulgaria and Europe by ISBN: 3506790307Publication Date: 2023-07-01
About this Guide
This page serves as an introduction to researching the Roma diaspora within the broader context of multicultural Europe. Roma, a historically marginalized ethnic group, have a long and complex history across the continent. Their experiences, cultural contributions, and political status vary by country, making them a key focus in discussions of European diversity and minority rights.T his guide provides access to scholarly materials, historical insights, policy discussions, and cultural perspectives to support research on Roma identity and inclusion in European societies.
Source: Council of Europe Roma and Travelers Divison, July 2008
Searching for Roma in the UIUC Library Catalog
Here are some common search terms:
Roma (Most commonly accepted term in modern times.)
Romani (Adjective)
Gypsy (Considered by many to be a pejorative, but still in use by some Roma people. May be more common in historical materials.)
Traveller (Refers both to Roma and other nomadic peoples, such as Irish Travellers.)
EU Policy Frameworks/Initiatives
EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies (2011-2020)
Adopted in 2011, this framework was the first EU-wide initiative aimed at improving the socio-economic inclusion of Roma communities. It focused on four key areas: education, employment, healthcare, and housing, urging Member States to develop national strategies tailored to their Roma populations. The framework sought to combat discrimination and improve Roma access to essential services while ensuring better coordination between national governments and EU institutions.
EU Roma Strategic Framework for Equality, Inclusion, and Participation (2020-2030)
Launched in 2020, this framework builds on the previous initiative while introducing stronger anti-discrimination measures and clearer goals. It emphasizes three key pillars: ensuring Roma equality by combating antigypsyism, fostering socio-economic inclusion, and increasing Roma participation in political and civic life. The framework sets specific 2030 targets, such as reducing the gap in poverty levels, improving access to education and healthcare, and strengthening representation in decision-making. Member States are encouraged to collect better data and implement national strategies with measurable outcomes.
Resources for Research
Roma Education Fund
Research and programs dedicated to improving educational opportunities for Roma communities.
European Commission – Roma Equality & Inclusion
The European Commission’s main hub for Roma-related policies, funding, and national strategies.
European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) – Roma & Travellers
Reports, statistics, and legal insights on Roma rights and discrimination across the EU.
European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC)
A major advocacy group providing legal support and reports on Roma rights violations.
Amnesty International – Roma Discrimination Reports
In-depth investigations into discrimination, forced evictions, and violence against Roma.
Human Rights Watch – Roma Reports
Articles and case studies on Roma human rights abuses in Europe.
Minority Rights Group International – Roma
Global reports on Roma rights, social issues, and advocacy efforts
EUC Roma Day 2025
Roma Day – April 8, 2025 
April 8 marks International Roma Day, a time to celebrate Romani culture, history, and contributions while raising awareness of the discrimination and challenges faced by Romani communities worldwide. Established in 1990, Roma Day commemorates the first World Romani Congress held in 1971 in Orpington, England. The day highlights the ongoing fight for Romani rights, recognition, and justice across Europe and beyond. The European Union Center is excited to announce its upcoming event celebrating Roma this year.
Learning About Roma in Europe
Roma, often referred to as Europe’s largest ethnic minority, have a complex and often marginalized history across the continent. From centuries of persecution to present-day struggles with discrimination, social exclusion, and systemic inequality, Romani communities have continuously fought for rights, representation, and cultural preservation. Scholars and activists engage with these issues through interdisciplinary research in fields such as sociology, political science, music, and gender studies.
Featured Scholar
Dr. Margareta (Magda) Matache – Lecturer at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Director of the Roma Program at the FXB Center for Health and Human Rights. Dr. Matache’s research examines racism, structural discrimination, reparations, and the social determinants of health, particularly in relation to anti-Roma racism.
Join us in celebrating Roma Day and engaging with these scholars to learn more about Romani experiences, culture, and activism
Language
What Is the Romani Language? by
This book deals with the Romani language. It does not teach the readers to speak the language. Rather, it deals with its origin, its current use and status, its beginning literature and films, and the way it is learned by children and much more. It shows that Romani is a language in its own right, with its own, unique grammatical system, dialects, and particular norms of language use. Pressure from the outside world has diminished the use of the language in some areas, but generally it is a thriving language, spoken by millions of people.
Call Number: 491.497 W556ISBN: 1902806069Publication Date: 2001-01-01
Grammatical Relations in Romani by
This is the first typologically-oriented collection on Romani that is devoted to a particular thematic domain -- that of noun phrase grammar. The approach taken is unique in that it places this typologically hybrid language in the centre of a general linguistic, universal discussion of the relevant noun phrase phenomena. The book is also the first assembly of articles to deal with Romani as a whole on the basis of cross-dialectal samples, offering areal-typological, dialectological, and historicalinterpretations. The individual contributions discuss morphological and syntactic aspects of nominal and pronominal inflection, definite articles, demonstratives, genitive compounding, external possession, pronominal object doubling and morphosyntactic alignment. Contributors include leading experts in the fields of noun phrase grammar, Romani dialectologists, typologists and historical linguists.
Call Number: 410 Am8 v.211ISBN: 1588110222Publication Date: 2000-11-13
Activism and Human Rights
- European Roma Rights CentreConducts research on issues facing the Romani community, provides legal support to related cases, and publishes news related to Romani human rights violations.
- Work on Rights: RomaResources and research from the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights.
Realizing Roma Rights by
Realizing Roma Rights investigates anti-Roma racism and documents a growing Roma-led political movement engaged in building a more inclusive and just Europe. The book brings to the forefront voices of leading and emerging Romani scholars, from established human rights experts to policy and advocacy leaders with deep experience. Realizing Roma Rights offers detailed accounts of anti-Roma racism, political and diplomatic narratives chronicling the development of European and American policy, and critical examination of Roma-related discourse and policies in contemporary Europe. It also investigates the complex role of the European Union as a driver of progressive change and a flawed implementer of fundamental rights. This book will provide a useful source for those interested in the dynamics of contemporary stigma and discrimination, the enduring challenges of mobilizing within severely disempowered communities, and the complexities of regional and transnational human rights mechanisms. Spanning as it does a broad disciplinary range that encompasses law, history, sociology, political theory, critical race theory, human rights, organization theory, and education, Realizing Roma Rights is a useful teaching tool for interdisciplinary courses on human rights, racism and xenophobia, political theory, European studies, and minority issues. Contributors: Jacqueline Bhabha, James A. Goldston, Will Guy, Fernando Macías, David Mark, Teresa Sordé-Martí, Margareta Matache, David Meyer, Andrzej Mirga, Kálmán Mizsei, Krista Oehlke, Alexandra Oprea, Elena Rozzi, Erika Schlager, Michael Uyehara, Peter Vermeersch.
Call Number: Online ResourceISBN: 9780812293876Publication Date: 2017-03-16
Roma activism : reimagining power and knowledge by
"Exploring contemporary debates and developments in Roma-related research and forms of activism, this volume argues for taking up reflexivity as practice in these fields, and advocates a necessary renewal of research sites, methods, and epistemologies. The contributors gathered here - whose professional trajectories often lie at the confluence between activism, academia, and policy or development interventions - are exceptionally well placed to reflect on mainstream practices in all these fields, and, from their particular positions, envision a reimagining of these practices."--Provided by publisher.
Call Number: Online ResourceISBN: 9781785339493Publication Date: 2018
Human Rights of Roma and Travellers in Europe by
In many European countries, the Roma and Traveller populations are still denied basic human rights and suffer blatant racism. They remain far behind others in terms of educational achievement, employment, housing and health standards, and they have virtually no political representation. Anti-Gypsyism continues to be widespread and is compounded by a striking lack of knowledge among the general population about the history of repression of Roma in Europe. In times of economic crisis, the tendency to direct frustration against scapegoats increases - and Roma and Travellers appear to be easy targets. This report presents the first overview of the human rights situation of Roma and Travellers, covering all 47 member states of the Council of Europe. Its purpose is to encourage a constructive discussion about policies towards Roma and Travellers in Europe today, focusing on what must be done in order to put an end to the discrimination and marginalization they suffer.
Call Number: 323.094 H884ISBN: 9789287172006Publication Date: 2012-02-28
Living Beyond the Pale by
We find Roma settlements on the outskirts of villages, separated from the majority population by roads, railways or other barriers, disconnected from water pipelines and sewage treatment. Why are some people (or groups) better off than others when it comes to the distribution of environmental benefits? In order to understand the present situation and identify ways to address the impacts of these inequalities we must understand the past and mechanisms related to the differentiated treatment. The situation and discrimination of the Roma ethnic minority in Slovakia is examined from the perspective of environmental conditions and injustice. There is no simple answer as to why there is environmental injustice. Environmental conditions in Roma settlements are just one of the indicators of failures of policies addressing the problem of poverty and social exclusion in marginalized groups, structural discrimination, and internal Roma problems. Environmental injustice is not an outcome of the "historical determination" of the Roma population to live in environmentally problematic places.
Call Number: 305.891497 F472lISBN: 9786155225130Publication Date: 2012-08-20
