European Year of Equal Opportunities for All 2007
Brussels 17-08-2006
The European Year of Equal Opportunities for All in 2007 will seek to make people in the EU more aware of their rights to enjoy equal treatment and a life free of discrimination. These are two of the basic principles underpinning the Union. The Year will also launch a major debate on the benefits of diversity for European societies.
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, all of which are grounds for discrimination that may be addressed at European level.
The web site, which will be the home of the European Year can be found at the following URL:
http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/equality2007/index_en.htm
Background
The proposal to make 2007 the "European Year of Equal Opportunities for All â Towards a Just Society" . is one of the main initiatives set out in the Communication from the Commission on a " Framework Strategy for Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunities for All ".
Aim
The aim of the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All is to raise awareness of the advantages of a just and solidarity-based society. It advocates awareness-raising initiatives to combat discriminatory attitudes and behaviour and to inform people of their legal rights and obligations. It takes an across-the-board approach to non-discrimination that should ensure the correct and uniform application of the Community legislative framework throughout Europe by highlighting its essential principles and gaining the active support of the public for legislation on non-discrimination and equality.
General Objectives
In spite of the progress achieved so far at European level in eliminating discrimination and promoting equal opportunities, much remains to be done. All legislation, regardless of the care taken in its drafting, will go unheeded if the political will to translate it into long-term action is lacking and if it does not benefit from widespread public support.
In view of the achievements of the European Year Against Racism in 1997, the European Year of People with Disabilities in 2003 and the "For Diversity - Against Discrimination" pan-European information campaign, the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All should provide an opportunity to promote a more solidarity-based society. The aim will be to raise public awareness of the substantial Community acquis in the field of equality and non-discrimination, and to stimulate a debate, a dialogue and exchanges of good practice.
Specific Objectives
- Raising public awareness of the right to equality and non-discrimination
The public must become more familiar with European legislation on equality and non-discrimination, which represent common values and principles in the EU. The aim in 2007 will be to convey to the entire population the message that everyone, regardless of their gender, race or ethnic origin, religion or beliefs, disability, age or sexual orientation, has the right to equal treatment. One fundamental challenge will be to show that the notion of equality does not mean "uniformity".
- Encouraging a debate on ways of strengthening participation in society
A debate and suitable dialogue should be opened with a view to fostering greater inclusion of under-represented groups in all sectors and at all levels of society. The equal opportunities policy does not stop at the elimination of discrimination - it also calls for the equalisation of opportunities.
The social handicaps affecting certain communities, such as the Roma, are so far-reaching and deeply embedded in the structure of society that positive action will perhaps be required to find a solution for this exclusion.
- Celebrating and welcoming diversity
The aim of this European Year will be to raise awareness of the positive contribution that can be made by anyone to society as a whole, regardless of their gender, race or ethnic origin, religion or beliefs, disability, age or sexual orientation. Its aim will be to create a favourable climate within which to celebrate diversity. It will acknowledge the diversity of Europe as a source of socio-economic vitality that should be tapped in order to compensate for demographic effects on the supply of labour.
- Working towards a more solidarity-based society
The European Year will encourage efforts to raise public awareness of how important it is to promote good relations between the various groups in society, particularly young people. It will unite different people or groups with a view to promoting and disseminating the values underlying equal treatment and the fight against discrimination.
Content of the Actions, Budget, and Selection of Grant Applications
The actions, whether conducted at Community or national level, aim to achieve the four objectives defined above and comprise:
- meetings and events (e.g. launch and closing conferences, the first annual summit on equality);
- information and promotion campaigns (logo, slogans, competitions, etc.);
- cooperation with businesses and the media;
- surveys and studies at Community or national level.
The budget earmarked for the European Year in 2007 for the period from 1 January 2006 to 31 December 2007 is 13.6 million euros.
Community-level actions may receive subsidies of up to 80% or give rise to a public open tender financed by the general budget of the European Communities. Local, regional or national measures can receive a maximum of 50% co-financing from the general budget of the Communities for total consolidated costs.
With regard to actions to be conducted at national, regional or local level, the Commission will delegate its budgetary implementing powers to the competent national authorities. These bodies will make all the necessary provisions for the selection (on the basis of a call for proposals), award and payment of grants.
Implementation
The Commission considers that, given the socio-economic and cultural conditions in the participating countries, most of the activities planned for the Year should be delegated to national level. The activities defined at European level are aimed at guaranteeing a coherent approach. Furthermore, the Commission will ensure that the financial activities financed over the Year will complement other relevant actions at Community level (Structural Funds, rural development, education, citizenship, fundamental rights) and at national and regional level.
Work in Partnership with the Participating Countries
Participation in the Year is open to the Member States, EFTA/EEA countries, candidate countries benefiting from a pre-accession strategy, Western Balkan countries in accordance with the arrangements laid down in their respective agreements, and countries covered by the Neighbourhood Policy, in accordance with these countries' action plans.
In order to guarantee effective implementation, the Commission services will draft operational guidelines to serve as a point of reference for the development of national strategic plans (activities planned for the Year), which must be submitted to the Commission by 31 December 2006 at the latest.
Working Together
The European Year must foster the participation of all stakeholders able to promote equality and non-discrimination, including the social partners and the representatives of civil society. Participating countries must therefore:
- appoint a national coordination body comprising government representatives, social partners, target communities, etc. It will be responsible for organising the country's participation in the European Year;
- establish a wide-ranging partnership with a view to incorporating issues of equal opportunities into all relevant strategic fields, including the employment and education sectors, the media and the commercial and decision-making sectors.
Evaluation and Follow up
The Commission will submit, by 31 December 2008 at the latest, a report to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the implementation, results and overall assessment of the measures provided for in this proposal.
Related Acts
Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions of 1 June 2005 - "Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunities for All - A Framework Strategy" [COM(2005) 224 - not published in the Official Journal]
Green Paper on Equality and Non-Discrimination in the Enlarged European Union, adopted by the Commission on 28 May 2004 [COM(2004) 379 - not published in the Official Journal].
Related Links
Legal texts for European Year 2007
EU Disability Action Plan 2006-2007