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2007 – European Year of Equal opportunities for all

The Year's four key themes

The activities during the Year will be based on four key themes:  

• Rights – Raising awareness on the right to equality and non-discrimination and on the problem of multiple discrimination
• Representation – Stimulating debate on ways to increase the participation of groups in society which are victims of discrimination and a balanced participation of men and women
• Recognition – facilitating and celebrating diversity and equality
• Respect – Promoting a more cohesive society

Rights – Raising awareness on the right to equality and non-discrimination and on the problem of multiple discrimination

All people in the European Union are entitled to equal treatment, irrespective of their sex, race or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation – this is the key message that the Year will strive to put across not only to the general public but also to individuals or groups that suffer from discrimination or are potentially exposed to d iscrimination.

The idea will also be to show that being equal does not being identical. The implementation of the equality principle has to take into account differences and diversity so as to ensure that each individual genuinely enjoys equal treatment.

Representation – Stimulating debate on ways to increase the participation of groups in society which are victims of discrimination and a balanced participation of men and women

Women are in the minority in our parliaments and ethnic minority MPs are even scarcer. Disabled people tend to be sidelined in society. Against this background, the Year will launch a series of debates on how to make it easier for under-represented groups to participate more in society, while ensuring a balanced involvement of men and women in all sectors and at all levels. The business community and the political sector are set to be key targets under this heading.

Rather than confining itself to eliminating discrimination, an equal opportunities policy also has to try to provide all individuals with opportunities for becoming fully involved on the same footing in society. Certain communities, such as the Roma, are so deprived that positive action might have to be taken for them so as to eliminate this inequality, which is do deeply rooted in society. The advisability of taking positive measures to promote equal opportunities will also give rise to several debates and activities throughout the Year.

Recognition – facilitating and celebrating diversity and equality

Another aim of the Year will be to make public opinion and the people concerned aware of the positive contribution each party can make to society as a whole, irrespective of the person's gender, race or ethnic origin, religion or beliefs, disability, age or sexual orientation. During the Year, action will be taken to involve the general public in an open debate on the meaning of diversity in contemporary Europe and ways of valuing differences in society.

Respect – Promoting a more cohesive society

Action will be taken during the Year to raise awareness among the public and the people concerned to the importance of eradicating clichés, stereotypes and violence, and promoting good relations among all members of society, particularly young people. The European Year will strive to promote and disseminate the values underlying equal treatment and the fight against discrimination.