Brussels, 23/01/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 23 January in Brussels, Commissioner Vladimir Spidla launched the new website for the European Year for Equal Opportunities for All 2007. He also presented the results of a Eurobarometer survey on combating discrimination in the EU, conducted in 2006. The kick-off for the European Year will be given in Berlin on 30 January during the first ever Equality Summit that will bring together the relevant ministers and representatives of social partners, NGOs and public authorities.
Open to 27 EU Member States as well as Liechtenstein, Iceland and Norway, Equality Opportunities Year 2007 - which “will also mark the centenary of Equal Opportunities” as Mr Spidla pointed out - has a total budget of €15 million for activities at national, regional and local levels (such as the awarding of prizes for diversity and vocational life to private and public enterprises that make a real effort to combat discrimination). They will be accompanied by an EU-wide information campaign.
The Eurobarometer survey (which does not yet cover the two new Member States, Romania and Bulgaria) above all reveals that 51% of Europeans consider not enough is being done to fight discrimination in their country, and 64% of respondents also feel that discrimination is widespread. On the whole, Spidla stressed when talking to the press, 78% of Europeans are ready for change. The existence of anti-discrimination laws (based on gender, ethnic origin, disability, religion, conviction) remains relatively unknown in the EU. Just one third of citizens said they knew what their rights would be if they were to fall victim to discrimination or harassment. Hence the importance of keeping citizens informed during this year of their right to non-discrimination and to equal opportunities for all, and the importance of praising the advantages of diversity. “There is a quality legislative arsenal at European level that should be set to music”, Spidla said, placing emphasis on the fact that “prejudice, a reason for discrimination, is costing us a great deal!”. In response to a question, Vladimir Spidla said his cabinet was composed of an equal ratio of men and women, 50/50. “There is no-one affected by this handicap - which is not the case in DG V (Employment)”.
Information: - European Year of Equal Opportunities: http: //equality2007.europa.eu.int Eurobarometer: - http: //ec.europa.eu/employment_social/news/2007/jan/euro_baro_summary_en.pdf