2007: European Year of Equal Opportunities for All

The EU’s 2007 “European Year of Equal Opportunities for All” will seek to make people in the EU more aware of their rights to enjoy equal treatment and a life free of discrimination. Events and activities will take place all over Europe in 2007. There will be European level events, such as the Equality Summit at the end of January, but national coordinators will be responsible for organising the vast majority of events and activities in the Member States.

Almost all EU Member States have now nominated a ministry or equality agency as their national coordinator. The activities undertaken during the Year will focus on the discrimination some individuals suffer owing to their race or ethnic origin, religion or belief, age, gender, sexual orientation or disability.

The four core themes of the European Year proposed by the Commission are:
 Rights – raising awareness of the right to equality and non-discrimination
 Representation – stimulating a debate on ways to increase the participation of under-represented groups in society
 Recognition – celebrating and accommodating diversity
 Respect and tolerance – promoting a more cohesive society

n addition to the European Year, new initiatives announced by the Communication include:
 A feasibility study to look at possible new measures to complement existing EC anti-discrimination legislation
 The creation of a high-level advisory group to look at the social and labour market integration of minorities, including the Roma

Gender issues will be taken on board in the context of the European Year and the non-discrimination strategy. This will complement the EU’s specific efforts on gender equality and sex discrimination, including the proposed Gender Institute and the Communication on gender equality planned for 2006.

For more information:

Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities