The head of NGO “Tenet,” Tetyana Storozhko, presented the results of an international study on the experience of Roma in the context of the war at the 22nd Annual IMISCOE Conference, held from July 1–4, 2025, in Paris. The event is the world’s largest platform for researchers of migration, integration, and social cohesion.
This year’s conference theme was “Decentering Migration Studies,” dedicated to rethinking Eurocentric approaches to migration research.
The Power of Solidarity: What the Research is About
Together with researcher Elżbieta Mirga-Wójtowicz, Tetyana Storozhko presented work from the international project ROCIT . The study, “Unequal citizenship and transnational mobilization of Roma from Poland, the Czech Republic, and Ukraine in the context of the war,” analyzes:
- The challenges faced by Roma refugees from Ukraine.
- Practices of self-organization and solidarity that helped communities endure.
- The experiences of Roma from Ukraine, the Czech Republic, and Poland in the context of the full-scale invasion.
A Story of Strength, Not Marginalization: Key Theses of the Speech
During her speech, Tetyana Storozhko emphasized the importance of shifting the perspective on Roma communities — from passive victims to active agents of change.
“Our presentation highlighted the importance of long-term investments in the development of Roma civil society, especially in the leadership of youth and women. We drew attention to transnational solidarity practices—how Roma initiatives not only provided aid but also challenged stereotypes of passivity. This experience is not just a story of marginalization, but a story of strength, solidarity, and the right to have rights.”
Participation in such dialogues is a crucial step toward the equal inclusion of Roma communities in European debates on migration, human rights, and democracy.
