Poznan, 16/11/2011 (Agence Europe) - The fight against discrimination was central to the 5th European equality summit on 10 November. The member states of the EU agreed on the need for greater cooperation. The declaration of Poznan focuses on the “need to involve the regional and local authorities, which are in direct touch with the citizens, in implementing the programmes to fight discrimination and promote equal opportunities”.
Elzbieta Radziszewska, the Polish government plenipotentiary for equal treatment, hailed the success of the Polish summit: “the representatives agreed with our idea of discussing how we can effectively fight discrimination and promote equal treatment, in particular reaching out to the social structures. It turns out that it is not enough to have good legislation. In order to be effective, we must act regionally and locally. We hope that this will be the beginning of the efficient functioning of the EU.”
The representative of the European Commission, Aurel Ciobanu-Dordea, spoke of the need to build a local civil society which will support less-favoured people. “Tackling the causes of discrimination calls for legal action at all levels. The Commission will support all actions to reduce discrimination and inequality.” (VW/transl.fl)