Hungary/ 4.2 Specific policy issues and recent debates  

4.2.7 Intercultural dialogue: actors, strategies, programmes

Intercultural dialogue had not yet become a specific goal in Hungary. The scene, therefore, is not rich in actors, strategies and programmes substantially dedicated to intercultural dialogue.

The only intercultural relationship that is an issue in today's Hungary is the one between the Roma and the majority society. Due to the large number (see also chapter 4.2.4) and the geographic spread of this minority group, occasions for interaction, opportunities for exclusion, inclusion and assimilation are numerous; however, it is difficult to quote proven good practices of conscientious intercultural dialogue. An increasing number of Roma have lately made progress towards public visibility, recognition and celebrity: television announcers, survival show participants, winners of amateur singing competitions etc. Radio-C (C standing for cigány: gypsy, partly still used for self-identification by Roma in Hungary), especially its music programme, had large non-gypsy audiences while it was on the air until 2010 (http://www.radioc.hu).  

There is another relationship that is heavily laden with historic legacy and remains a latent source of tension: that of Jews who are estimated to represent around 1% of the population. In spite of recent phenomena of displaying or reconstructing Jewish art (there are Jewish festivals, cultural centres etc.), one cannot speak of a separate Jewish culture inside the Hungarian society, with which to pursue intercultural dialogue.

Additional Resources:

Government's overall approach to intercultural dialogue

Database of Good Practice on Intercultural Dialogue

Key Resources

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