The video features writer and activist Leif Hagert. On screen, the title Meeting Roma Youth appears. The purpose of the title is to structure the video into sections.
Video details:
Language: Finnish
Subtitles: Finnish and English
Duration: 4 minutes 57 seconds
Producer: The Education Institute 2025.
Introduction to the video: Encountering Roma Youth
Gentle guitar music plays in the background. In the top right corner of the screen, the white logo of the The Peace Education Institute is visible. The colour tone of the image is slightly rose-tinted. Leif Hagert sits in a green, plant-filled office and begins to speak to the camera.
“European adults who encounter young people, young Roma, my message would be this: first and foremost, meet them as individuals. Listen to their needs, their dreams. Try to support them in these. And meet them as equals.”
Title: Working with Roma and minorities Of course, I attend different events as a Roma myself. My background matters – it influences which kinds of tables I am invited to sit at. But it also reflects my values. Just having a Roma background is not enough. Your attitude towards Roma, towards Roma issues, towards equality – these are also tested in such discussions. And if we notice that we are on the same wavelength, trust is built. That often allows us to discuss issues in more depth – topics that might not otherwise come up, at least not in the presence of non-Roma. It becomes possible to talk about and reflect on challenging themes.
And when we speak specifically about Roma-related issues, it is essential to pay attention to giving space. At the end of last year, we hosted international visitors in Helsinki, and I noticed how beautifully my colleagues created space for dialogue. Conversations started right away – about big and difficult issues that might not usually be addressed so openly in front of everyone. But our team was able to create a safe and spacious environment.
And when we network with Roma actors from other countries, I believe they also sense the chemistry and trust within our team. In these meetings, the expertise of our community also comes across – the ability to give space when it is needed. No one dominates or dictates from above how things should be done or how people should live.
Title: Safer Spaces in Practice
A safe working environment also makes it possible to try new and different things. For example, when the Barcelona trip came up, I had to give a speech in English. English is not my working language, so giving a speech in English is not my strongest point. But I could be open with my colleagues and say: look, I’d be interested in going, but the language is a challenge. They responded with ease – it didn’t feel awkward. They simply said: let’s make it work. We’ll be there with you. We’ll interpret, we’ll translate, and everything will go smoothly. And it did – the trip was a success, and we built new contacts there as well.
Title: Working Together
As we have been building international cooperation with different partners, it has been wonderful to see how each participant brings their own expertise. I see this not only as a professional opportunity, but also as a chance to learn and develop myself. To strengthen my own skills. But above all, I think this is something we all benefit from: we learn and grow together. We share the good that each of us has, and we give it to one another.
I feel genuinely happy, and deeply privileged, to be doing this kind of work. Work that strengthens the Roma identity of young Roma – and of Roma people more broadly – but especially the young. Work that also helps us to unpack and perhaps even recognise the internalised racism that is still difficult to identify, or even to name.”*
The large purple letter R of the Peace Education Institute’s logo appears on a pastel background, decorated with a dove’s face. The other letters, K and I, slide into view, along with the year 2025.
