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Description
Roma social inclusion is of utmost importance for the 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 role of civil society in strengthening social cohesion and inclusion is important. As the church is representing a huge majority of the population and has a considerable influence on beliefs and practices, the Romanian Church can be seen as potentially major player in Romanian civil society actor. In Norway, as in many other European countries, migration of people from Romania, including Roma people, is a visible phenomenon with a permanent potential for conflicts.
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 the Romanian Church in relation to the in/exclusion of Roma people. The project will also focus on local case studies of interaction between Roma and the Romanian Church, which will be addressed through participatory approach, both in research methodology and through initiating new practices locally, in concrete contexts. Common training seminars in participatory research together with the Norwegian partner institution are a decisive part of the project. The project will thus develop Romanian and Norwegian expertise in methodology with a potential to impact research in social sciences and theology, but also local level inclusion work of Roma people, both in the religious and the secular field. As main religious actor in Romania, the ROC is essential in understanding the mindset of the Romanian majority population with regards to the Roma. The third major contribution of the project is thus to strengthen the theological reflection about the social role of the ROC in general, and for Roma social inclusion in particular.
Summary of project results
The Roma is the largest ethnic minority in Europe, spread across many countries, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe. Ensuring their inclusion in all parts of society is a priority for EU policy, yet it remains a significant challenge. Centuries of exclusion and stigmatization have left a lasting impact, while the great diversity among those who identify as Roma makes it difficult to create a single strategy for all countries and groups. The PARI project recognizes that a notable characteristic of the Roma is their relationship with religion. However, the potential of religious engagement as a path to social inclusion has been largely unexplored and is absent from EU directives. PARI addressed this gap through research and participatory approaches to practice. While religious institutions have played an ambivalent role in the past, religious faith and actors today can play a central and predominantly positive role in Roma lives. Participation in religious life can serve as a bridge to greater involvement in other areas of society.
The PARI project integrated empirical, historical, and theological research as complementary perspectives. Historical: The present cannot be understood without the centuries-long history of exclusion. PARI has examined in longue durée how religion and religious actors were involved in the social inclusion and exclusion of Roma people in nowadays Romania. Empirical: Case studies with in-depth interviews conducted in four localities in Romania (123 interviews) and in Oslo (23 interviews) provide a rich database for further analysis. A series of workshops have been conducted to inform small local initiatives developed with PARI''s co-researchers in Romanian localities. Theological: Both traditional forms of faith and hybrid forms of religiosity are relevant to PARI''s focus. The theological perspective draws on both historical material and PARI''s extensive empirical data.
The results of the PARI project are detailed in open-access publications: journal articles, a comprehensive project volume, and a volume of historical documents. The final conference, held in Sibiu in March 2024, brought together a network of researchers with similar interests. Two exhibitions in Sibiu and a multi-stage children''s contest featuring drawings and essays demonstrated the project''s commitment to Open Science. An overview of the project and its publications can be found on the website: www.participatory.ro.
PARI is a research project whose results are primarily knowledge production and the creation of researchers and practitioners networks, thus offering indirect benefits to the target group we worked with.
- The central element of the methodology was the participatory approach, which was implemented particularly in the empirical part of PARI. The team included local Roma co-researchers who complemented the academic research with their practical knowledge and were involved in most stages of the project. The Roma was not only the target group but also central actor in the project.
- Although many Roma in Romania belong to the Orthodox majority church, neo-Protestant (especially Pentecostal) churches are becoming increasingly important. The Roma''s choice of different forms of religious expression reflects their diverse understandings of social inclusion. For some, it means integration into existing churches (acceptance and normalization), while for others, it involves founding their own Roma churches (empowerment and ethnic self-confidence).
- The analysis of the PARI interviews, sustained also by existing literature, has highlighted the importance of religious faith for social inclusion. Five key elements have been identified: resilience, empowerment, belonging, morality and education.
Summary of bilateral results
The cooperation between the Romanian project promoter (“Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu) and the Norwegian partner (VID Specialized University Oslo) was crucial. Knowledge transfer occurred in both directions: the Norwegian partners brought expertise in the participatory approaches, while the Romanian team (comprising both Roma and non-Roma members) provided deep insights into the diverse experiences of the Roma community (regional, religious, social, ethnic). This cooperation promises continued fruitful outcomes.