The Roma, internationally known as ROMA, live in a chronic social exclusion in some countries less and in some more, meaning they are deprived of the ability to claim their human rights. These can be summarized, practically, in equal and easy access to health services, education, justice, and the job market.

A prerequisite for successfully addressing a problem is its realistic recording and acceptance of its existence.

The realistic recording of the problems of the Roma in Greece was done through on-site research in 45 Roma settlements in 22 municipalities, over a period of three years. The information was provided by the Roma themselves, local authorities, and the staff of the successful institution of Medical-Social Centers for Roma.

Extensive photographs were used because reality is often difficult to describe.

The main focus of the research was on Health (common diseases, alcohol use, children's vaccinations), living conditions (settlement sewage, waste management, adequate and clean water, housing conditions), primary education, and the social system (early marriages, divorces, domestic violence, loans, insurance, professional employment).

The goal of the research is to provide reliable information, identify models of good and bad practices, seek the causes, and articulate feasible proposals for the long-term elimination of social exclusion. The purpose of the research is certainly not to criticize the handling of the problems under consideration by the Greek state so far. Such criticism is not only easy from the perspective of those outside the problems but also essentially sterile and therefore ineffective. Our ambition is also for the research to be a useful tool for some, even local, improvements and for improving understanding by Greek society of the various and numerous problems faced by the ROMA throughout the Greek territory.