The Cultural Importance of Integrating Socially Assisted Vulnerable Groups within Society – The Case of the Roma Community

Abstract

This article aims to analyse the cultural importance of integrating Roma within society in the context of the continuous increase in the number of members of this minority in Romania's communities. The global community is increasingly open to cultural inclusion. Some forms of discrimination based on criteria such as religious affiliation, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, disability, nationality, marital status and physical appearance seem to subside in intensity. The tolerance of individuals has increased considerably, and diversity is accepted, supported, encouraged and sometimes even imposed in order to build a globalized and inclusive society that respects diversity and provides equal opportunities for all, regardless of gender, race or socioeconomic status. However, the Roma remains a social category that hardly adapts to the majority's rules. In addition, Roma rights and freedoms are much less emphasized than the rights of other minorities in the European public discourse by politicians and social influencers. Thus, in this paper, we aim to emphasize the importance of integrating the Roma population within society, but also analyse one of the ways that would make this desideratum possible - launching a positive mass media campaign to highlight the cultural heritage of the Roma ethnic group.