At first glance, the U.S. elections may appear to be remote from the situation of the Roma in Europe. However, the self-organization of minorities has proven important for both President Trump and President-Elect Biden, and in Europe, more than 12 million Roma are a sizable and important constituency, gradually growing in self-organization despite long-term suppression and manipulation. The electoral defeat of President Trump, who has reinforced anti-Roma politics in Europe, may also present opportunities for Roma and pro-Roma organizing and activism.
What can we learn from the U.S. elections, and how will the future U.S. foreign policy affect Roma in Europe? This conversation explores these questions, reflecting on Open Society’s work defending Roma rights in 2020 and looking to challenges and opportunities ahead in 2021.
Language interpretation was provided in English, Bulgarian, Hungarian, Italian, Romanian, Romanes, Serbian, and Spanish.
Speakers
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Mensur Haliti
Speaker
Until February 2024, Mensur Haliti was a division director for the Roma Initiatives Office.
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Zeljko Jovanovic
Speaker
Until February 2024, Zeljko Jovanovic was director of the Roma Initiatives Office.
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Neda Korunovska
Speaker
Until February 2024, Neda Korunovska was a division director in the Roma Initiatives Office.
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Kinga Réthy
Speaker
Until February 2024, Kinga Rethy was a division director with the Roma Initiatives Office.
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