Seminary Us and Them? Views on Roma Culture, Gender and Interculturality

The seminar “Us and Them? Perspectives on Romani Culture, Gender and Interculturality” aims to create a space for reflection and dialogue, grounded in the sharing of experiences and the encounter of different perspectives.

The programme includes a round table entitled “Between Tradition, Invisibility and Change”, focused on the analysis of perceptions, stereotypes and attitudes, as well as on the role of educational and social policies in promoting the participation of Romani women. The challenges, invisibilities and forms of agency that shape their trajectories at the crossroads between tradition and change will also be discussed. This is followed by an experiential and interactive workshop, oriented towards direct contact with cultural mediation practices, the sharing of lived experiences and the active involvement of participants.

Drawing on real-life situations experienced in educational and community contexts, the workshop promotes intercultural dialogue and reflection on identities, values, family and social organisation, as well as on gender roles. The event is part of the activity plan of the Community of Research and Learning in Public Policies and Governance in Education (ReLeCo PPGE) of the Interdisciplinary Centre for Studies in Education and Development (CeiED) and of the Bachelor’s Degree in Education Sciences – Social Education (LCE-ES) of the Institute of Education of Lusófona University, in partnership with the Elos & Elas project, a local partner of the BIP/ZIP Programme – Lisboa.

The seminar is free of charge and will take place in person, with online streaming, on 10 February 2026, from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm, at the Agostinho da Silva Auditorium, Lusófona University – Lisbon University Centre.

Registration

Programme

9:00 am - Reception and Participant Registration

9:30 am - Opening Session

António Costa Pinto, Director of FCSEA (to be confirmed)
António Teodoro, Director of IE
Carla Galego, Director of LCE-ES

9:45 am - Round Table | Between Tradition, Invisibility and Change

Key themes:
A perspective on culture: perceptions, stereotypes and attitudes – where does “us” begin and “them” end?


The role of educational and social policies: conditions, constraints and opportunities for the participation of Romani women.


Romani women at the crossroads: between tradition and change – challenges, invisibilities and forms of agency.

Participants: Luís Anselmo, Alzinda Carmelo, Sónia Matos, Noel Gouveia – community technicians and mediators from the “Elos & Elas” project

10:30 am - Break

10:50 am - Workshop “Us and Them?” | from reflection to experience

Cultural mediation, practices and intercultural dialogue
An experiential and interactive moment, oriented towards direct contact with cultural mediation practices, the sharing of lived experiences and the active involvement of participants.

Framework of Romani culture
Identity, values, family and social organisation, gender roles

Practical reading of Romani culture
Based on real situations experienced in educational and community contexts

Good practices of intervention
Space for dialogue
Experience sharing

Facilitation: Luís Anselmo, Alzinda Carmelo, Sónia Matos, Noel Gouveia – community technicians and mediators from the “Elos & Elas” project

12:20 pm - Final Summary and Closing

12:30 pm - End of proceedings