Brussels, 11/11/2009 (Agence Europe) - The third Equality summit will be held in Stockholm on 16-17 November. The main theme of the summit, jointly organised by the Swedish Presidency of the European Union and the European Commission, will be “Cooperation for Equality” among national local and regional authorities, NGOs, the social partners, commercial enterprises and the media. Some 300 delegates in all are expected in Stockholm. The aims of the summit are to promote equal rights and equal opportunities for all in the EU and to share knowledge and experience in order to be able to act more effectively against all forms of discrimination. The 2009 summit will pay particular attention to the situation of the Roma, as well as to that of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in today's society.
Nyamko Sabuni, Swedish Minister for Integration and Gender Equality, Robert Verrue, Director General for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities at the European Commission, and Dorothy Byrne, Head of News and Current Affairs, Channel 4 Television, UK, will deliver the opening addresses. Thereafter, Thomas Hammarberg, Commissioner for Human Rights, Council of Europe, will deliver the first key-note speech on “Current challenges to equality in Europe”. Ted Childs, Global Strategic Diversity Advisor, USA, will give the second key-note speech on “Diversity and Inclusion: A Global Perspective”. European Equal Opportunities Commissioner Vladimir Spidla, Belgian Deputy Prime Minister with responsibility for Employment and Equality Joëlle Milquet and Nyamko Sabuni will bring the summit to a close.
The summit will use interactive methods in formal sessions, one of which will be devoted to prospects for the future. This debate will be held in the morning of 17 November between representatives of the players concerned and Katri Linna, Swedish Equality Ombudsman, Member of the EQUINET Executive Board. A session with ministers will follow. There will also be four workshops.
(1) Equality based Governance Works! Two issues will be on the table for discussion: equality mainstreaming in the public sector and diversity management in the private sector. Ministers will discuss questions such as: What are the difficulties in this area? Are equality bodies the future for Europe? When does it work? Why does it fail? A report from the Governmental Expert Group on anti-discrimination and the results of the seminar on the same topic in Finland in September will inform the various debates over these two days.
(2) Equality Legislation - Today and Tomorrow. This workshop will highlight best practice on equality legislation at the national level. Concrete examples will be presented by member states, social partners, civil society and other stakeholders, to take stock of existing rights and current challenges. Ministers will discuss: Does a single anti-discrimination Act protect us against discrimination? Are equality bodies part of the solution? Should aggravated damages be awarded if multiple discrimination is found? Do policy initiatives help? Is multiple discrimination a problem in practice? Once again the report by the Expert Group will provide a basis for discussion.
(3) Stakeholders for Equality. Cooperation between public (national, regional and local) authorities, NGOs, social partners, the business sector, the media and other stakeholders is necessary to create resilient systems that are flexible and sustainable, and can cope with future pressures. New ways of cooperating and networking will be discussed to ensure that discrimination in the workplace is eliminated and equal opportunities promoted. Among the questions put by the Presidency for discussion among ministers are: What is the added value of cooperation? What are the effects? What are the indicators of success? What are the demands on a stakeholder who wants to cooperate? What are the pros and cons with different forms of cooperation? What can different stakeholders add? In what areas of work against discrimination and enhancing equality do we lack cooperation? Which stakeholders are already participating and which are missing?
(4) Media Futures: the Equality Challenge in Focus. The media raise public awareness of the value of equality in society and keep the public informed of the events and changes taking place around the world. But, the Presidency will ask, are the media playing this role effectively? How is the role of the media affected by fragmented media landscapes? How can professional media work together with users and communities to promote greater equality? (G.B./transl.rt)