Public Opinion and the Roma A qualitative research study Nick van Praag World Bank November 18, 2005

Methodology Focus groups in all Decade countries Focus groups in all Decade countries –8 focus groups in 7 of 8 countries (5 non-Roma, 3 Roma) –10 in Serbia and Montenegro (6 non-Roma, 4 Roma) Issues explored Issues explored –Critical issues facing their country and communities –The Roma (perception vs. reality, experience with and exposure to) –Messages/statements about efforts to support the Roma –Similar themes explored in Roma focus groups

Goals and a Caveat Change prejudicial attitudes, win support for Decade programs Change prejudicial attitudes, win support for Decade programs Understand drivers of non-Roma attitudes, prejudice Understand drivers of non-Roma attitudes, prejudice Roma attitudes also key to design, target efforts Roma attitudes also key to design, target efforts Caveat: Focus groups cant tell whole story Caveat: Focus groups cant tell whole story Qualitative phase followed by quant. poll Qualitative phase followed by quant. poll

The landscape Overwhelming pessimism expressed in all countries – Roma and non-Roma Overwhelming pessimism expressed in all countries – Roma and non-Roma I follow whats going on and the situation makes you want to cry. Jobs are on the minds of everyone – particularly the young. Jobs are on the minds of everyone – particularly the young. My sisters boyfriend is a university graduate and now hes a fish packer at the local supermarket.

The landscape Roma and non-Roma hold government responsible for problems Roma and non-Roma hold government responsible for problems Authorities see as corrupt, incompetent, and ineffective Authorities see as corrupt, incompetent, and ineffective Politicians put their own interests first – not those of the public. Politicians put their own interests first – not those of the public. Roma see bias in national, local media Roma see bias in national, local media Skepticism about EU Skepticism about EU Less respect for traditional values of tolerance, adaptability Less respect for traditional values of tolerance, adaptability

Attitudes toward the Roma Views of the Roma are steeped in disdain Views of the Roma are steeped in disdain People attribute their views to everyday negative experiences, deny prejudice People attribute their views to everyday negative experiences, deny prejudice Roma seen as responsible for their condition Roma seen as responsible for their condition Roma live in poverty because they choose to do so Roma live in poverty because they choose to do so We treat Gypsies the way they treat us and, all things considered, I think we treat them pretty well. We treat Gypsies the way they treat us and, all things considered, I think we treat them pretty well. Integration implies assimilation, with Roma adjusting their values, behaviors (culture okay) Integration implies assimilation, with Roma adjusting their values, behaviors (culture okay) Age and familiarity not reliable predicator of attitudes Age and familiarity not reliable predicator of attitudes

Roma views Roma point to centuries of discrimination, humiliation and inequities Roma point to centuries of discrimination, humiliation and inequities Acknowledge role of some Roma in reinforcing stereotypes Acknowledge role of some Roma in reinforcing stereotypes See selves as complex, heterogeneous See selves as complex, heterogeneous Resist full assimilation Resist full assimilation Blame government, need government, but suspicious of government Blame government, need government, but suspicious of government Fear public backlash from positive discrimination Fear public backlash from positive discrimination See vacuum of leadership in Roma community See vacuum of leadership in Roma community

Attitudes toward change All sides say integration would to benefit of all All sides say integration would to benefit of all Roma say they want to live in non-Roma neighborhoods, send children to integrated schools Roma say they want to live in non-Roma neighborhoods, send children to integrated schools Non-Roma say favor integration but many reject concrete sharing buildings, integrated schools etc. Non-Roma say favor integration but many reject concrete sharing buildings, integrated schools etc. Majorities of non-Roma say Roma want to remain segregated Majorities of non-Roma say Roma want to remain segregated The present situation suits them just as it is. Non-Roma say Roma must take the initiative to assimilate Non-Roma say Roma must take the initiative to assimilate

Attitudes toward change Virtually no support for Roma receiving additional support from the government Virtually no support for Roma receiving additional support from the government Non-Roma believe that singling out the Roma for special help is not fair when so many people are without jobs, lack money Non-Roma believe that singling out the Roma for special help is not fair when so many people are without jobs, lack money Why should I take responsibility for Roma if I cant improve my own life first? Roma fear that preferential treatment will backfire and engender more disdain for their community Roma fear that preferential treatment will backfire and engender more disdain for their community We should be helped, yes, but not more than other people with similar needs.

Awareness of Decade Roma and non-Roma mainly unaware of Decade Roma and non-Roma mainly unaware of Decade But, majorities of both Roma and Non- Roma support Decade concept if explained But, majorities of both Roma and Non- Roma support Decade concept if explained Most feel benefits should not be restricted to Roma Most feel benefits should not be restricted to Roma Preferential services for Roma seen as likely to exacerbate tensions Preferential services for Roma seen as likely to exacerbate tensions Citizens are sensitive about costs of Decade programs Citizens are sensitive about costs of Decade programs

Challenges Citizens are pessimistic and distrust national leaders Citizens are pessimistic and distrust national leaders Efforts promoted by government alone, or outsiders likely to be met with skepticism Efforts promoted by government alone, or outsiders likely to be met with skepticism Inter-communal suspicion, distrust prevail Inter-communal suspicion, distrust prevail Non-Roma speak of the importance of integration but do not embrace it Non-Roma speak of the importance of integration but do not embrace it Many see as unfair programs designed to benefit only Roma Many see as unfair programs designed to benefit only Roma Roma are skeptical of their leadership Roma are skeptical of their leadership

Messages for change Messages suggesting guilt or sense of responsibility have little traction Messages suggesting guilt or sense of responsibility have little traction Messages tied to modern country or part of Europe provoke defensiveness Messages tied to modern country or part of Europe provoke defensiveness Messages that have some resonance: Messages that have some resonance: –Education is the key to moving all people out of poverty -Roma children deserve the chance to prosper –Everyone deserves opportunity to share in prosperity –Discrimination against anyone is intolerable

Next steps Field quantitative survey in early 2006 in all Decade countries Field quantitative survey in early 2006 in all Decade countries Poll will provide benchmark and validate qualitative findings Poll will provide benchmark and validate qualitative findings Track findings over time Track findings over time Summary of qualitative and country specific reports available on web Summary of qualitative and country specific reports available on web