EDUCATIONAL MECHANISMS OF THE ROMA ETHNIC GROUP SOCIAL INTEGRATION IN THE VISEGRAD FOUR COUNTRIES

Abstract

The article analyzes and compares educational mechanisms for the social integration of Roma in the Visegrad Four countries. Social integration is important for all population groups for ensuring stability and development at both the micro and macro levels of state functioning. National and ethnic minorities often are the additional opportunities, bridges, and at the same time stumbling blocks in society in the context of harmonious coexistence, cooperation, etc. National minorities and ethnic groups are an aspect of social functioning to which the Council of Europe and the European Union pay significant attention, trying to implement in various contexts one of their basic principles – unity in diversity. At the same time, the issue of national and ethnic minorities is one of the most popular topics of modern scientific research and management practices. Developed democratic states, including European countries from different regions, have their own peculiarities in the formation and implementation of policy models regarding national minorities and ethnic groups, depending on the ethnic structure of the population, the characteristics of ethno-national relations and challenges, and state interests. The Visegrad Four countries also have their own successful examples and mechanisms, having developed and implementing management practices in the field of ethnopolitics, regarding national and ethnic minorities, including the Roma ethnic group.