The Question of Roma Mediators and Positive Discrimination
The Question of Roma Mediators and Positive Discrimination

Summary/Abstract: The discourse presenting Roma mediators as the antidote to the marginalisation of this minority in Europe is one shared by numerous institutional stakeholders, non-governmental organisations, Roma organisations, etc. However, the actual results do not always seem to meet the expectations of public pronouncements. Mediation as an ambiguous concept is used here as a tool for positive discrimination believed to promote the integration of Roma. However, when considering the implementation of this program in the Department of Dolj, Romania, we argue that positive discrimination seems to turn into discrimination. Roma children attending schools seem to be marginalized within the educational institution. Some are beginning to have difficulty mastering the Romanian language, a feature that has never happened before. Gradually school mediation in Romania seems to transform the Roma minority into foreigners inside educational institutions.

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