Public Opinion and the Roma A qualitative research study

1
Public Opinion and the RomaA qualitative
research study

• Nick van Praag
• World Bank
• November 18, 2005

2
Methodology

• 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
• 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

3
Goals and a Caveat

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

4
The landscape

• 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.
• My sisters boyfriend is a university graduate
  and now hes a fish packer at the local
  supermarket.

5
The landscape

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

6
Attitudes toward the Roma

• Views of the Roma are steeped in disdain
• People attribute their views to everyday negative
  experiences, deny prejudice
• Roma seen as responsible for their condition
• 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.
• Integration implies assimilation, with Roma
  adjusting their values, behaviors (culture okay)
• Age and familiarity not reliable predicator of
  attitudes

7
Roma views

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

8
Attitudes toward change

• All sides say integration would to benefit of all
• 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.
• 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

9
Attitudes toward change

• 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
• 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
• We should be helped, yes, but not more than
  other people with similar needs.

10
Awareness of Decade

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

11
Challenges

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

12
Messages for change

• Messages suggesting guilt or sense of
  responsibility have little traction
• Messages tied to modern country or part of
  Europe provoke defensiveness
• 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

13
Next steps

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