Academic Approaches to the Problems of the Roma

Trakya University Institute of Romani Language and Culture Research held an online panel titled “Academic Approaches to the Problems of the Roma” in observance of April 8, Roma Day. The panel was moderated by Lecturer Dr. Tülay Tekin Yılmaz, Deputy Director of the Institute.

Speakers included Prof. Dr. Emine Didem Evci Kiraz from Aydın Adnan Menderes University, Prof. Dr. Yusuf Genç from Sakarya University, and Assoc. Dr. Dilara Ustabaşı Gündüz from KTO Karatay University. They addressed the health, education, employment, and socio-cultural challenges faced by Roma citizens, and offered policy recommendations.

The session opened with remarks by Assoc. Dr. Gökhan Ilgaz, Director of the Institute, who introduced the Institute’s activities and its peer-reviewed journal—the only one of its kind in Turkey dedicated to Romani language and culture.

In her presentation “Health for All,” Prof. Dr. Emine Didem Evci Kiraz reviewed global advances in health care and highlighted initiatives underway in Turkey. Emphasizing that equitable, holistic health services are essential to raising living standards, she noted that the New Strategy Document for Roma Citizens (2023–2030) was published in the Official Gazette on January 23, 2023.

Prof. Dr. Yusuf Genç’s talk, “Education and Employment Challenges of the Roma,” examined how early marriage and premature entry into the workforce lead many Roma to drop out of school. He stressed the need to raise public awareness, arguing that without role models, Roma youth are pushed into jobs before completing their education, which undermines their quality of life.

Assoc. Dr. Dilara Ustabaşı Gündüz presented on “Social Inclusion Policies for the Roma,” pointing out that prejudice traps Roma communities in disadvantaged positions. She called for broad societal engagement to ensure Roma participation in social, cultural, economic, and educational spheres.

The panel was attended by Trakya University’s Dean of Education Faculty Prof. Dr. Sevinç Maden; Institute Directors Assoc. Dr. Gökhan Ilgaz, Dr. Levent Doğan (Social Sciences Institute), and Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Rıza Ferhat Karabulut (Science Institute); Balkan Research Institute Director Assoc. Dr. İbrahim Kelağa Ahmet; institute staff; civil-society representatives; students; and academics.