Workshop reflections: Nothing about us without us?
16 December 2014
By Maria Bogdan, Jekatyerina Dunajeva, Timea Junghaus, Iulius Rostas, and Marton Rovid, Andrew Ryder, Marek Szilvasi, and Marius Taba
Nothing about us without us? Roma participation in knowledge production and policy making was a unique three-day gathering of Roma activists and thinkers. Held in Budapest on 11-12 October 2014, this forum was an opportunity to reflect not only on the previous decades of struggle, but also to think about future directions. Looking back on the early days of the Romani Movement, activists recalled the idealism and hope of times past, which had vanished somehow. This loss of hope was attributed to lost connections with communities; inward-looking and narrow ideologies; and hierarchical decision-making within government and civil society structures. Acute forms of poverty and xenophobia had also done much to disempower and disenchant.
A key feature of the event was that despite the setbacks and disappointments of the past, there was still idealism and optimism. This is an invaluable resource, for without a ‘pedagogy of hope’ the Romani Movement would stagnate. This mood of hope was manifest in the new and constructive ideas raised by the participants.
For many participants, one of the most important sessions dealt with the role of Feminism and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) minorities within the Romani movement. Participants recognised that feminist and LGBT activists were great resources and allies, who had developed amazing strengths in their battles to overcome not just racism but also sexism and homophobia. To be Gay and/or a Feminist and a Roma makes us realise that identity and tradition are not rigid and fixed phenomena, and therefore should not be oppressive but should be dynamic, inclusive and innovative, keeping the best of the old while reinventing and mixing identity with new outlooks and behaviour.
Such bridging and outward forms of social and cultural capital need to be reflected in the development of the Romani Movement, which should seek to build broad intersectional alliances across Roma communities and constituencies, incorporating not only interest but solidarity and altruism. There is important scope for Roma interests to link with wider social justice and anti-poverty movements. For the onward march of neo-liberalism will clearly be a prominent factor in the continuing marginalisation and scapegoating of Roma communities and must be challenged.
A desire for new directions, to give Roma a greater say in their lives, and to bring reality to the rhetoric of empowerment led participants to reflect on the need for new dynamics in power relationships within governmental and civil society decision making processes.
The old politics of tokenism and co-option need to change, otherwise there is a danger that pledges and commitments by decision-makers to co-production will be devalued and subverted. Likewise, decision-makers should champion the weak and marginalised including Roma communities, and be robust in their interventions wherever and whenever xenophobia and acute inequality threaten the cohesion and stability of society.
The old politics of the Romani Movement also needs to change, as there is a danger that different groups are becoming too factionalised and too focused on petty rivalries, impeding partnership and trust.
New directions and debates are also needed in the field of knowledge production, and participants felt that greater emphasis should be given to research ‘for’ and ‘with’ Roma communities through community-based and participatory research. Research which facilitates community voices to be heard and actively involves them in all stages of the research process should not be derided as tainted by bias or as propaganda for it is grounded in the reality of experience.
Yet despite support for more critical approaches to research, participants felt that no one approach to research should dominate or monopolise, there is a need for plurality and diversity. Among all the disciplines, what has become known as ‘Romani Studies’ should accept and celebrate a diversity of research approaches, and also tolerance and respect in debate. Members of the academic community should avoid elitism and symbolic violence, for this stifles intellectual inquiry and alienates valuable friends and recruits.
In any debate on knowledge production, the proposed European Roma Institute (ERI) will remain an important topic of discussion. A range of insightful opinions were voiced at the workshop. It should be remembered that this proposal is a longstanding one which thus warrants serious discussion. In that debate we should return to previous conceptions that were mapped out in earlier decades, but its important that all interested parties articulate their views and aspirations so that a conception of an ERI will evolve, shaped and grounded in a plurality of views. This debate should be an inclusive one, conducted with maturity and dignity.
Other ideas and initiatives were discussed at Nothing About Us Without Us? which we hope will be raised and articulated in the coming months. This will include a special edition of the ERRC Journal which will summarise key discussions from the workshop and conference. In addition we hope to develop guidance on ethical research with Roma communities.
We thank all those who supported and contributed to what may come to be viewed as an historic event. Rather than producing a detailed manifesto, the main output may be a new spirit and attitude to the struggle for Romani rights based on solidarity, diversity, innovation and respect.
In light of this new spirit, we also wish to emphasize the importance of constructive cooperation between researchers, scholars, and the academy, with pro-Roma institutions, organizations, and the wider applied sector.
Most importantly, let’s keep the discussion going, keep in contact and update each other on our projects. We would also like to suggest that activists and researchers establish local forums which bring critical researchers and activists together, just like the one operating from Budapest, entitled the Roma Research and Empowerment Network. To keep in touch and to learn about how such a network can operate please join the Roma Research and Empowerment Network on Facebook.
