EU Equality Summit 2008
This summit brings together around 400 high-ranking delegates and representatives from the field of equal opportunities around a single aim, i.e. effectively applying the principles of non-discrimination in the European Union. It also aims to give a new impetus to combating discrimination and promoting equality through a longer term perspective, which will lead to the next stage during the 2009 Equality Summit under the Swedish presidency. The summit examines in speeches and debates different aspects of discrimination in Europe, such as access to education, employment, goods and services; it also examines the role of different stakeholders, equality bodies and opinion-makers and examines ways to enable equal opportunities and good practices.
ILGA-Europe is among the participants in this summit and is represented by Executive Director Patricia Prendiville, who is one of the keynote speakers, Evelyne Paradis, Senior Policy Officer, Martin K.I. Christensen, Co-Chair, and Linda Freimane, Board member.
Speaking prior to the summit, Morten Kjaerum, Director of the EU Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA), stated: “For millions of people in the EU, discrimination and inequalities remain daily experiences. This is a disgrace EU governments must address head-on... This Summit sends a powerful political signal that the EU will work together to root out discrimination. Determined action must follow the Summit in order to put ideals into realities.” He continued: “We need the appropriate structures to make rights work. I am talking about creating competent bodies where victims of discrimination can go. By the end of 2007, three Member States had not even installed an equality body. In other Member States, equality bodies - though existing - have been rather invisible in tackling discrimination. Governments must ensure that equality bodies are truly independent and have strong powers, and that they are adequately resourced...”
French Council Presidency, 29 September 2008
http://www.ue2008.fr/PFUE/lang/en/accueil/PFUE-09_2008/PFUE-29.09.2008/sommet_de_l_egalite___paris_29_et_30_septembre_2008_7200
FRA media release, 29 September 2008
http://fra.europa.eu/fra/index.php?fuseaction=content.dsp_cat_content&catid=9
Full details of the ILGA-Europe campaign for new European anti-discrimination legislation can be found at:
http://www.ilga-europe.org/europe/campaigns_projects/campaign_for_new_european_anti_discrimination_legislation
