Roma Education Fund Accepted to the International Congress of Applied Psychology – ICAP
The Roma Education Fund is proud to announce that, through its specialists and the work of its Research and Development Division, it has been accepted to participate in the International Congress of Applied Psychology (ICAP). This acceptance represents an encouraging milestone for the R&D division and an opportunity to present REF’s developing research perspectives in the field of inclusive education within an international academic setting.
Participation in ICAP is particularly significant for REF because it provides a highly selective global platform where applied research directly informs professional practice, policy development, and systemic change. Being part of this forum enables REF to bring Roma perspectives, minority-focused educational research, and intercultural approaches into mainstream international academic and professional debates, strengthening the visibility and legitimacy of Roma-related research within the global applied psychology community.
The team of REF specialists – Alexandru Zamfir, PhD; Valentin Negoi, PhD; Ider Ștefan, PhD candidate – will represent the organization at this landmark scientific event.
“It is a great opportunity for us to present the accepted poster on Intercultural Education and Teaching Roma History in Romania: Educators’ Perspectives, Challenges, and Pedagogical Practices at the ICAP Conference 2026 in Florence. This will allow us to share our perspectives on educators’ perspectives, challenges, and pedagogical practices that we implement at REF and that we can extend at the national and European level. At the same time, it will be an extraordinary opportunity to connect with other researchers in the field of applied psychology, exchange ideas, and create new perspectives for collaboration. I am looking forward to participating in this extraordinary global scientific event and enriching our experience in the field of education in general and that of minority groups and Roma in particular.” – Alexandru Zamfir, PhD.
Organized once every four years, ICAP is the largest and most prestigious international forum dedicated to applied psychology, bringing together thousands of researchers, academics, practitioners, and decision-makers from across the world.
“The acceptance of our paper at a conference of such stature is a clear indication of the rigor we apply in our research activities within REF. Our commitment to aligning with international research standards is essential to ensuring the quality, transparency, and scientific impact of our results, in accordance with the best practices promoted by leading organizations and reference bodies. For us, ICAP 2026 represents an important step in our efforts to establish a presence on the international stage of scientific research. We aim for the contributions presented in the Educational Psychology section to provide meaningful support for the development of future measures focused on the education of Roma children, as well as on the training and professional development of teachers” – Ider Ștefan, PhD candidate and coordinator of the R&D Division.
The congress is coordinated by the world’s oldest international psychology association, founded in 1920, which has played a fundamental role in the development, professionalization, and internationalization of applied psychology. Through ICAP, strategic directions of the field are shaped, high scientific and ethical standards are promoted, and the responsible application of psychological knowledge is advanced to address major societal challenges.
Through this participation, the Roma Education Fund reinforces its long-term commitment to building resilient Roma communities through education. By engaging in international research dialogue and contributing evidence-based perspectives, REF seeks to strengthen the impact, sustainability, and relevance of its educational work, while supporting inclusive practices that promote equity, diversity, and social justice at national, European, and international levels.
