Campaign Impressions 2004

At the end of 2004, the five-year EU information campaign “For Diversity. Against Discrimination.” looks back on another impressive year, bringing together a total of 575 government and non-government organisations in so-called national working groups set up in all 25 Member States who have joined forces to fight discrimination and to promote the positive benefits of diversity in an enlarged, more diverse European Union.

The year in figures

Overall in 2004, thanks largely to the suggestions and initiatives of the national working groups, the campaign was present at over 300 events across the EU ranging from mass public events to targeted seminars and conferences. For example, 200 representatives of Europe's key actors in the fight against discrimination came together in Riga for the "Europe Together 'For Diversity. Against Discrimination.' Conference" to exchange experiences in awareness-raising projects.

You may have seen the campaign's blue and yellow information stand at various Gay Prides across Europe, or one of the 3,200 ‘runners for diversity’ who made a public statement for diversity at city marathons from Paris to Prague to Stockholm wearing the eye-catching yellow runners shirts? Or maybe you were one of the several thousands of people that visited the ‘For Diversity. Against Discrimination’ truck at one of the 19 stops in the 11 countries it passed through?

In the media, over 860 print and on-line articles were published in relation to the campaign, in addition to over 100 television and radio broadcasts. In total, the media work carried out through the campaign is estimated to have reached 186 million EU citizens – that’s 186 million people that may be a little more aware of discrimination issues than before.

At the same time, 300,000 users visited the stop-discrimination website to inform themselves about EU anti-discrimination policies and current campaign activities, viewing a total of 1,600,000 pages and downloading more than 260,000 documents.

Moreover, so far 60.000 information packs, so-called toolboxes, have been distributed to companies and NGOs providing them with practical assistance on how employers and employees can avoid discrimination in their companies.

Vladimir Špidla takes up the fight against discrimination

Mr Vladimir Špidla has been appointed as the Member of the new European Commission, with responsibility for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities. Already on his first day in office, Commissioner Vladimir Špidla underlined the importance he attaches to the promotion of equality and the fight against discrimination: 'As President Barroso told the European Parliament, fundamental rights and the fight against discrimination are a top priority for the new Commission." In this context, Mr. Špidla noted that the Green Paper consultation conducted in the summer of 2004 provides the Commission with a solid base upon which it can move forward together on this issue, which lies at the heart of his mandate.

What's ahead for 2005?

In addition to continuing successful measures, the campaign is also planning a number of new initiatives for the coming year. Also in 2005, the bright blue and yellow stop-discrimination Truck will tour the EU, visiting 10-15 countries informing the people there about the benefits of a discrimination-free working environment and how to protect themselves against workplace discrimination through EU legislation. As in 2004, the campaign will again call on marathon runners to dedicate their run to the campaign at the run for diversity in altogether 7 city marathons across Europe. Also, there will be a second edition of the "For Diversity. Against Discrimination." Journalist Award; however, in 2005 the prize will also be awarded to photo journalists in addition to print and online journalists who contribute with their work to a better public understanding of the benefits of diversity and the fight against discrimination in employment. Currently, the national working groups in the 25 Member States are in the process of developing the national campaign strategies and defining measures planned for 2005 tailored to the specific information needs in each country; in February of 2005, the 25 individual national action plans summarising the results of these national working group meetings will be finalised. Another objective of the campaign in 2005 is to increase the involvement of young people between 16 and 25 years old as to increase the awareness of discrimination issues among future employers and employees. To help attract this target group, different initiatives have been proposed including a TV advertisement to be broadcast via MTV, promotional cards and a website competition. As always, the monthly campaign newsletter as well as the comprehensive campaign website at www.stop-discrimination.info will keep you updated about these and other activities planned for 2005.