We are thrilled to share our active participation in the prestigious hybrid conference “Racism, Justice, Environment: Critical Approaches in Romani Studies and Beyond,” held at the Central European University (CEU) in Vienna on June 1-2, 2023. Organized in collaboration with Harvard University’s FXB Center for Health and Human Rights, the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture, and other leading institutions, the event brought together scholars, activists, and practitioners to explore the intersection of environmental justice, racism, and Roma inclusion.
Presentation Highlight: Energy Poverty and the Green Transition at Luník IX.
At this critical conference, Jakub Csabay, co-founder of the Roma Environmental Sustainability and Development Initiative (RESDI), presented a paper co-authored with Viktor Teru, titled “Marginalised Roma Communities in the Context of the Green Transition: Energy Poverty at Luník IX. and The Case for New Methodologies and Interdisciplinary Approaches.” The presentation was part of the panel “Waste, Recycling, Racism,” and received thoughtful engagement from both academic and practitioner audiences.
Key insights from the presentation:
- A critique of dominant frameworks like energy and environmental justice, highlighting the need to recognize local agency and contextual realities.
- Proposals for interdisciplinary methodologies, emphasising participatory action research.
- Policy recommendations for integrating sustainable development goals with the needs of marginalised Roma communities, particularly in urban settlements like Luník IX.
Broader Themes Explored at the Conference
The event underscored how Roma communities face compounded challenges of racism and environmental injustice, often living in areas impacted by industrial waste, pollution, and restricted access to basic services. The conference provided a platform for knowledge exchange between fields like sociology, environmental science, and public policy, offering actionable insights for combating these inequalities.
Watch Jakub’s Presentation
Catch the full panel session, including Jakub Csabay’s presentation, on the official CEU YouTube channel: Watch Here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tolNITXnTCg
Looking Ahead
We are proud to have contributed to this vital dialogue and remain committed to pioneering solutions that combine environmental justice with Roma inclusion. Stay tuned as we continue our work in research, advocacy, and sustainable development initiatives.
The presented paper now available for reading at our section of downloads.
