The project will initiate, stimulate and sustain Romanian and Norwegian research about the inclusion of the Roma population by focusing on the (potential) role of religion and religious actors in relation to the in/exclusion of Roma people.
Roma social inclusion is of utmost importance for Romanian society. Although there are no reliable figures regarding the percentage of Roma people, it can be estimated that this group amounts to more than 10% of the population of the country, and due to the demographic developments this quota will increase considerably. The current situation is the result of a long history of exclusion that even includes slavery. This history and practice of exclusion have not yet been properly dealt with by the majority of the Romanian population, but still has a strong impact on the present relationship between the majority population and the minority group.
Different religious actors and institutions have played and continue to play an important role in this context. There is a traditionally close connection between church and state in Romania, as is the case in all countries with Christian Orthodox majorities. While the religious institutions have to deal with a difficult legacy (which has not yet been sufficiently studied, at the same time they have a great potential for inclusion of Roma into society).
Religious attitudes, beliefs, and traditions play an important role in Romanian society, on both a structural and an individual level. More than 95% of the population declare themselves believers, of which 86% are part of the Romanian Orthodox Church (census 2011). As the churches are representing a huge majority of the population, they have a considerable influence on beliefs and practices and can be seen as potential major players in Romanian civil society. Religion is an important dimension in the lives of many residents of Romania. Since the role of civil society in strengthening social cohesion is important, the research on the role of religion is a key issue for promoting ways to Roma inclusion. Religion plays a role not only in institutional forms but also as a substrate for everyday attitudes and social behavior, the lived religion (as recent research calls it).
In Norway, as in many other European countries, the migration of people from Romania, including the Roma people, is a visible phenomenon with a permanent potential for conflicts. On this backdrop, several Norwegian and Nordic research and social projects have already focused on the situation of Romanian Roma migrants, who are visible in the streets of Nordic cities. Most projects focus on socio-economic conditions, but the role of the religious actors in Roma exclusion and for overcoming it has so far not been extensively thematized, neither has the potentially positive role of religion for Roma people when it comes to strengthening coping and resilience
In order to obtain reliable data regarding the Roma population, the project team will closely collaborate with religious institutions, faith-based organizations, and individuals as well as representatives from public institutions such as prefectures, city halls, schools, school inspectorates, and with volunteers from NGOs whose activity is correlated with the project`s main themes. This collaboration will ensure concrete and substantial work with and for the Roma people living in the concerned communities.