Identity, Communication, Inclusion: The Roma and (New) Europe Liliana Lubomirova Herakova Based on the theoretical concepts of imagined communities (Anderson, 2006), public sphere (Habermas, 1962/1991), and muted groups (Kramarae, 1981), this essay looks at issues of identity and identity formation of the largest European minority*the Roma, or Gypsies. The essay argues that, similarly to the European identity project, the Roma are actively building a transnational identity without abandoning national identities. Although this model can be a valuable blueprint for increasingly globalizing societies, it is neglected as a possibility because of Roma’s marginal social status. Further exploration of self-organized Roma identity-construction is advised. Keywords: Ethnic Identity; Imagined Communities; Public Sphere; Muted Groups; Roma In a continuously globalizing world, human rights and a chance at social equality remain a loudly promoted focus of development programs, as indicated in the United Nations Millennium Declaration (United Nations, 2000). In Western Europe and the former Soviet bloc, a central issue of equality is the effective social integration of national minorities. Of special concern is the social inclusion of the largest European minority*the Roma or Gypsies. The need for solving a problem of social exclusion on racial and ethnic basis is signified by the European Union (EU) Directive 43 (European Commission, 2000), ‘‘implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of racial or ethnic origin’’ (p. 22). Several factors underline the implementation of the Directive in regards to the Roma. First, as with other EU legislation, the decisions and monitoring are transnational, but the changes are to be implemented within national borders. Second, and perhaps more significantly, unique to the Roma is their position simultaneously outside and within European national communities. The Roma are not a homo- geneous ethnic group (Horva ´th, 2006; Marushiakova & Popov, 2001; Petrova, 2003), Liliana Lubomirova Herakova is affiliated with the University of Massachusetts Amherst, USA. Correspondence to: University of Massachusetts Amherst, 240 Hicks Way, Amherst, MA 01003, USA. Email: lherakov@comm.umass.edu ISSN 1751-3057 (print)/ISSN 1751-3065 (online) # 2009 National Communication Association DOI: 10.1080/17513050903177318 Journal of International and Intercultural Communication Vol. 2, No. 4, November 2009, pp. 279297