Author: Zora Popova / Political Geography: Europe

Author:: Zora Popova
Publication Date:: 12-2018
Content Type:: Policy Brief
Institution:: European Centre for Minority Issues (ECMI)
Abstract:: Can national minorities be successful in bringing societies together by linking communities within and across state borders if states are not supportive to their initiatives? To open a discussion on the topic, the current issue brief focuses on the actor behind the scenes – the state – and its role in the establishment of a sociopolitical environment that if not supportive, as a minimum would not impede their efforts. By identifying and analysing several types of roles that a state can play, the paper introduces analytical models aiming to provoke a critical reflection and to emphasise that understanding complex phenomena needs a comprehensive approach and a focus both on content and structure but also in the dynamics of their interplay.
Topic:: Civil Society, Nationalism, Governance, Minorities, Ethnicity, Diversity, and Identity
Political Geography:: Europe

Author:: Zora Popova
Publication Date:: 01-2015
Content Type:: Policy Brief
Institution:: European Centre for Minority Issues (ECMI)
Abstract:: Acknowledging the need for an integrated and targeted approach towards the inclusion of the largest European minority, the EU has moved forward over the past decade in its efforts to develop and launch policies and programmes aiming at bringing about a positive change to the situation of Roma. Despite the significant funds allocated for the implementation of initiatives and strategies, no significant impact has been accounted throughout Europe over the years. The current policy brief looks at some factors that appear to be key impediments to the development of a sustainable and successful policy and suggests steps for overcoming the identified problems.
Topic:: Minorities, Ethnicity, Discrimination, Conflict, and Identity
Political Geography:: Europe

Author:: Zora Popova
Publication Date:: 03-2014
Content Type:: Working Paper
Institution:: European Centre for Minority Issues (ECMI)
Abstract:: Dispersed all over the territory of the continent, Roma constitute the largest ethnic minority in Europe, which according to the estimates consists of 10-12 million people. Present in almost every country in Europe and sharing some similar cultural features, Roma are often referred to as 'transnational'. The heterogeneity of the group even within the different national states and the lack of structural ties among the communities at national and international levels, challenges the appropriateness of any generalization of issues and large scale approaches to addressing them. At the same time, Roma communities all over Europe share low social status and identical challenges to their integration in mainstream societies, which constitutes them as a transnational marginalised group.
Topic:: Globalization, Human Rights, Regional Cooperation, Governance, and Minorities
Political Geography:: Europe and Romania

Author:: Zora Popova
Publication Date:: 05-2013
Content Type:: Working Paper
Institution:: European Centre for Minority Issues (ECMI)
Abstract:: The Council of Europe Charter on Education for Democratic Citizenship and Human Rights Education (EDC/HRE) was adopted in 2010 and signed by 47 member states. The endorsement of the Charter was recognized as a major achievement of almost 10 years of developing ideas and strategies, public and political debates, intensified discussions among institutions and stakeholders, international consultations, policy provisions and decision implementation.
Topic:: Education, Human Rights, Law, and Minorities
Political Geography:: Europe

Author:: Zora Popova
Publication Date:: 06-2013
Content Type:: Working Paper
Institution:: European Centre for Minority Issues (ECMI)
Abstract:: Voting is a fundamental democratic right that empowers people to exercise their civil control over the politics and politicians, over the different branches of power, over the development paths of their countries. Democratic electoral systems in Europe vary greatly. But the electoral systems alone, although contributing to the specific architectures of the national democracies, are not the only factors that determine the quality of the democracy in place. Focused on legislation, rules and procedures, policy analysts sometimes tend to look at voters as "beneficiaries" and not as the active subjects who in fact have the power to change the status quo or to contribute to deformities of the political system in place, by not exercising their political and civil rights.
Topic:: Democratization, Human Rights, Governance, Law, and Minorities
Political Geography:: Europe

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