The social stigmatization of Roma has not completely disappeared, although progress has been made, and the mechanisms through which equal opportunities are ensured in schools and on the labor market must be improved and adapted to current challenges, said Diana Punga, state counselor within the Presidential Administration, conveying the message of the head of state, Nicusor Dan.
"The 170th anniversary of the abolition of slavery of the Roma is a time to reflect on a past that we have a responsibility to know, in order to understand the efforts of the Roma people on the path to freedom, dignity and integrity. By taking responsibility, the memory of suffering is transformed into an opportunity to regain trust, to reconstruct the social fabric, to celebrate a unique heritage of language and tradition. At the same time, it is important to be aware that, although progress has been made, social stigma has not completely disappeared, and the mechanisms through which equal opportunities in schools and on the labor market are ensured must continue to be improved and adapted to current challenges," said Diana Punga, on Thursday, at an event that marked 170 years since the emancipation of the Roma.
Diana Punga said that solidarity and tolerance are "essential" in this period in which "the seeds of extremist ideologies and manifestations" are re-emerging, inciting hatred, discrimination, segregation and violence.
"The most effective form of action remains education, especially of the younger generation. There is no authentic freedom without education, without assimilation of moral and civic values that make civilized coexistence possible, the dialogue of ideas, and the guarantee of the dignity and freedom of every citizen," said the state counselor.
The representative of the Presidential Administration pointed out that, in Romania, by studying the subject on the history, slavery and deportation of the Roma, middle and high school students have the opportunity to learn about the tragedy of this ethnic group.
According to her, the introduction of this subject shows not only respect for the past, but also the firm commitment of the authorities and civil society to promoting equality, inclusion, pluralism and mutual respect.
"I trust that deepening the historical truth will offer us all a realistic and generous approach to the present and will open up new perspectives for the future, under the sign of social reconciliation. In order to ensure better integration of the Roma, there are government strategies, such as the Romanian Government Strategy for the Inclusion of Romanian Citizens Belonging to the Roma Minority for the Period 2022-2027, and specific public policies, which must be put into practice, without remaining at the level of intentions. This day of remembrance and celebration reconfirms that the future of Romania is built through unity, and the Roma community is an integral, valuable part of Romanian society and of our European path," the message sent by Nicusor Dan also reads.
In turn, the president of the Roma Party "Pro-Europe", Nicolae Paun, drew attention to the importance of breaking down the barriers between the majority and minority citizens of Romania.
"It is not enough to speak, someone must hear you when you speak. There are many opinion leaders from the early 1990s who have been speaking, but no one has heard them (...) it is not enough to say: Sir, we want your good, because the good you want to do for me may not be the good I want. This is a first step towards reconciliation, that is, civic awareness is not built only through political declarations. It is very important to break down these barriers between the majority and the minority", declared Nicolae Paun.
In his opinion, if the Romanian state institutions were more aware that they have a problem, things would change.
"The Romanian state institutions and the Romanian political class did nothing for the Roma minority except at their urging in historical periods (...) in periods when they had an interest. They wanted to get closer to the West in 1850 and up to 1870, they took some steps in that direction", added Nicolae Paun.
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