REF Organizes Key Debate on Far-Right Extremism in Romania Amidst 80th Commemoration of Auschwitz Liberation
Roma Education Fund Romania, in partnership with the “Elie Wiesel” National Institute for the Study of the Holocaust in Romania, convened a crucial debate on the alarming rise of far-right extremism.
Scholars, public institutions and civic society representatives gathered to discuss the urgent need for proactive measures to protect democratic values and social cohesion in these turbulent times.
“We initiated this debate for two reasons: to commemorate 80 years since the liberation of the Auschwitz camp and because it is our responsibility to find solutions for this turbulent social and political context. We cannot stand idly by while Romania is being infested by the far right,” stated Ciprian Necula, President of REF.
Alexandru Florian, Director of the “Elie Wiesel” National Institute for the Study of the Holocaust in Romania, emphasized, “I don’t believe that the enemies of democracy are TikTok or other social networks. The enemy of democracy is the far right. Unfortunately, we are witnessing a resurgence of the far right that hasn’t been seen in 80 years. How is it that, 80 years after the liberation of Auschwitz, the far right has mobilized so effectively, creating so many risks to democracy?”
The event featured notable speakers including Andreea Rusu, Director of Filia Center; Cristian Pîrvulescu, Dean of the Faculty of Political Science, SNSPA (the debate’s moderator); and Adina Marincea, Researcher at the National Institute for Holocaust Studies in Romania “Elie Wiesel.”
Following the Q&A session, REF Romania also officially launched the second edition of “The Sphere of Politics” Magazine, dedicated to their 2023 scientific conference, “Gheorghianism (Nicolae Gheorghe’s Doctrine) and the Foundations of the Roma Nation.”
