The Year of Equal Opportunities for all
by Ivan Ivanov
The idea by the European Commission to designate 2007 as the “Year of Equal Opportunities for All” came just in time. Ten years after the European Year Against Racism, it is time to reconsider the lessons learned and to think of new dimensions on how to better fight racial discrimination. It is possible to obtain equal opportunities if, in addition to comprehensive legislation in theory and effective implementation in practice, we have a society of citizens aware of their rights to enjoy equal treatment.
The European Roma Information Office (ERIO), as an information platform and international Roma advocacy organization, regularly reports to the EU institutions about discrimination against Roma in different areas of society and about the challenges both Roma and Equality bodies face in the implementation of anti-discrimination legislation. ERIO has taken the initiative to examine to what extent the information campaign regarding the “Year of Equal Opportunities” at the European and national levels has reached Roma communities in Europe. Our research indicated that Roma either knew very little or nothing at all regarding this initiative. In fact, this lack of awareness extends beyond Roma and includes large portions of non-Roma society, including governmental bodies.
A parallel task of ERIO is to use its network to inform Roma throughout Europe about the “Year of Equal Opportunities” and its goals. In addition, ERIO encourages Roma organizations to take part in the implementation of the national programs under the “Year”.
For the last six years, the European Commission has invested more than 100 million euro in different activities which contribute to the fight against discrimination. In the same period of time the transposition of the Race Equality Directive took place, but discrimination against Roma nevertheless continued and today remains widespread. In its communication to the European Council and the European Parliament about the application of the Race Equality Directive, the European Commission has clearly stated that in the majority of the EU 10, statistics show that Roma have been the most represented group in discrimination complaints.
It is evident that the use of only legislation and big investments in programs without links to policy can not effect all expected changes. Members of societies have to change their attitudes and mentality while learning about their own rights and respecting the rights of others.
According to the “EuroBarometer” survey conducted in all EU Members States in 2006 to discover Europeans’ attitudes towards discrimination, 56 % of Europeans would not know their rights if they ever became victims of discrimination or harassment. More than half of Europe’s citizens thought that not enough effort was made in their countries to fight all forms of discrimination. The same survey showed that on average, about 77% of the European population believed that being a Roma in their society was a disadvantage.
The purpose of the “Year of Equal Opportunities” is to make EU citizens aware of their rights to non-discrimination and equal treatment, to promote equal opportunities for all, and to highlight the benefits of diversity in the European Union.
The “Year” is to be carried out with a high level of commitment from governmental bodies in close cooperation with civil society organizations. Roma, as the most discriminated-against minority group in Europe, should be involved in the implementation of this Pan-European campaign which aims to promote equal opportunities for all. In practice, very few Roma organizations were invited to take part in this initiative, although a number of governments have tried to demonstrate that centralized management of the “Year” does not exclude representatives of civil society.
The organization of the “Year” was supposed to involve hundreds of different activities staged throughout the European Union – locally, regionally, and nationwide. Each participating country was to name a national implementing body to present a strategy and list of activities for the “Year”. It is already May and many states are still doing preparatory work for the “Year”. The only visible event under the “Year” has been the “Equality Summit” which took place in Berlin in late January of this year. Those who expect the most from the Year and hope to benefit from it will only enjoy a half Year of Equal Opportunities.
Although it is off to a slow start, ERIO believes that the 2007 Year of Equal Opportunities will have a significant impact and make a difference in the lives of Roma people. ERIO further hopes that the “Year” will inspire new approaches which will help Europe to continue moving forward with its efforts in the fields of equality and non-discrimination. For better impacts and long term solutions, new EU initiatives and programs specifically targeted towards Roma should take up and support many of the ideas generated during the Year of Equal Opportunities. The European Commission should be confident that ERIO will advocate and raise awareness regarding the right to equal treatment and a life free of discrimination in both Roma and non-Roma communities.
