Roma In Serbia – The Challenge of Social Cohesion
Roma In Serbia – The Challenge of Social Cohesion

Summary/Abstract: The paper discusses the level of social inclusion of Romani people in Serbia as a critical indicator of social cohesion. Historical and current statistical data show that Romani people in Serbia, as well as in other European countries, have centuries long experience of marginalization and discrimination. Since the 1970s, the political and institutional conditions for their cultural, political and social affirmation have been gradually constructed. With the growth of their visibility and homogeneousity, it became even more important to include Romani people in society and economy and thus to achieve higher level of social cohesion. Since 2000, many results have been achieved in the social inclusion of Romani people in Serbia in key areas (education, employment, economic empowerment, housing, anti-discrimination), but the state of affairs is still far from desirable. The main problem lies in political culture – stereotypes and prejudices about Romani people and marginalization and occasional discrimination based on them. Such political culture hampers the strengthening of social cohesion in Serbia.

• Details
• Contents