For more than two decades, Ciprian has been active as a Roma activist, undertaking various professions and public roles to foster an inclusive society and diminish the marginalization and exclusion of Roma in Romania. His career in activism commenced under the guidance and mentorship of Nicolae Gheorghe.
Ciprian has held various roles, including journalist, leader of public campaigns, promoter of socio-economic projects, political analyst, co-founder of a social enterprise, leader of a Roma NGO, consultant for international organizations, and public media debater. As an activist, he employed innovative strategies to combat stereotypes and prejudices against Roma.
He has also served as a State Secretary in the Romanian Ministry of European Funds and is a founding member of the Roma Civic Platform, Aresel. Currently, Dr Necula coordinates the first European Master Program on Romani Studies and teaches ethnicity and masculinity at SNSPA University in Bucharest.
Redjepali CHUPI Director of REF Serbia and North Macedonia
Posted on September 1, 2024 by romaedu
Redjepali has 20 years of experience in governmental and NGO sectors, focusing on promoting minority rights and inclusive education. As the former Director of the Directorate for Promotion and Development of Languages for Ethnic Minorities at the Ministry of Education and Science in the Republic of Macedonia, he spearheaded efforts to ensure the realization of constitutional rights for minorities in the field of education and language rights. With expertise in law, extensive experience in project leadership, legal advocacy, and training facilitation, Redjepali has actively contributed to various national and international initiatives when it comes to advancing policies for minority integration and community empowerment.
Monica CĂLIN, Programs Director REF Romania
Posted on July 30, 2024 by romaedu
Monica brings forth a rich professional background spanning over 14 years, focusing on the management and implementation of educational programs dedicated to mitigating early school leaving and fostering a more inclusive environment for Roma children. Additionally, her expertise extends to community development and mobilization initiatives aimed at enhancing institutional capacity and fostering partnerships to improve the overall condition and perception of the Roma community. Monica holds a degree from the Faculty of Social Work and has further fortified her qualifications with a Master’s degree in Public Policies in Social Work. Notably, she has served as the coordinator for community development programs and the empowerment of Roma communities at the county level in Bihor. Her leadership also encompassed the coordination of a Roma youth forum, showcasing her commitment to fostering community engagement.
Luiza Medeleanu, Interculturality Educational Expert | REF Romania
Posted on February 14, 2024 by romaedu
Interculturality Educational Expert
She is a Ph.D. candidate in Cultural Studies at the Multidisciplinary Doctoral School “Space, Image, Text, Territory” within the Center of Excellence in Image Study (CESI), Faculty of Letters, University of Bucharest. Her doctoral thesis, titled “Image of Roma in cinematography and cultural media productions: Ethics of fictionality and cultural identity,” is under the guidance of Professor Caius Dobrescu.
In her academic journey, Luiza holds degrees from the Faculty of Philosophy and the Faculty of Foreign Languages and Literatures, specializing in the Romani-English department. She furthered her academic pursuits with a Master’s degree in Philosophy from the University of Bucharest and another in Anthropology from SNSPA.
With a commitment to the Roma non-governmental field for over 10 years, Luiza has been actively involved in coordinating educational activities with a Roma theme and an intercultural focus. Simultaneously, she contributes to the development of intercultural training methodologies designed for teachers, children, and parents. Luiza’s dedication spans both academic research and practical contributions to fostering understanding and inclusivity.
Amalia-Florenţa Florea, Country Coordinator | REF Romania
Posted on February 11, 2024 by romaedu
Amalia graduated with a degree in Sociology from Bucharest University and has a deep passion for education and social impact. Since 2015, she has been working with the Roma Education Fund, taking on various roles in different projects. Currently, she serves as the Country Coordinator for the REF Alumni Network, where she supports students and alumni in their academic pursuits. Additionally, she is a Second Chance Program Expert, working alongside teachers to improve educational opportunities.
An international financial institution that provides loans and grants to the governments of low- and middle-income countries for the purpose of pursuing capital projects.
