European Year of Equal Opportunities for All: Official partner of the Eurovision Song Contest 2007

Since its first broadcast in 1956, just one year before the EU’s founding Treaty of Rome in 1957, the annual Eurovision Song Contest has become a treasured European tradition connecting people around the continent with songs performed in diverse languages and styles. Today Eurovision is one of the major pan-European television events in musical entertainment, reaching an audience of approximately 100 million Europeans. 

So what better partner than Eurovision to promote the benefits of equal opportunities and celebrate diversity during the 2007 European Year of Equal Opportunities for All? 

And what better celebration for spreading the word and creating awareness of the European Year's objectives than a vibrant and friendly song contest, connecting people and cultures throughout Europe?  The EU’s partnership with Eurovision is sure to be a highlight of the campaign.

Helsinki 2007

The 2007 Eurovision competition, the 52nd, will be held for the first time in Helsinki, Finland, following the tradition of hosting the event in the country of origin of the previous winning artist, in this case the band Lordi.
During the course of the competition week (May 5-12), the 2007 European Year of Equal Opportunities for All campaign will have a dedicated stand at the Eurovision village in the heart of Helsinki. The stand will not only offer useful information on the Year itself, but also host different entertainment activities such as competitions and quizzes, DJ sets, cocktail mixing sessions and much more. There will be full access for disabled people and a platform for creative young Europeans to express their singing and dancing talents whatever their sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation.
The 2007 European Year of Equal Opportunities for All will also be represented through a promotional stand in the Eurovision press room, providing the European press with all the necessary information on the key objectives of the campaign.

For more information on the Eurovision Song Contest, visit www.eurovision.tv

European Year of Equal Opportunities for All 2007 Flyer

Discrimination: it’s wrong, it’s illegal and it’s a waste of talent and skills! Europe’s most precious resource is the rich diversity of its people. Yet prejudices and stereotypes often mean that not all people in Europe enjoy the fair treatment to which they are entitled. Many are deprived of equal opportunities because of their sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation.

Everyone can play their part in the 2007 European Year. All of us can start by looking at our own behaviour and attitudes. You can also take part in the Year by organising or joining in an event that is taking place near you. Whether it's small businesses, youth groups, NGOs, trade unions or schools, the Year can only be a success when everyone gets on board.

 Download Flyer PDF-file (325 KB)

European Year of Equal Opportunities for All launched at the first Equality Summit held in Berlin on 30 /31 January 2007

The European Year of Equal Opportunities for All was officially inaugurated during the first ever European Equality Summit, in Berlin, under the German EU presidency. The high level conference provided an invaluable opportunity for participants to take stock of what has been achieved across the European Union in promoting equality on the grounds of age, disability, gender, racial and ethnic origin, religion and sexual orientation.

This was the first time that high-ranking representatives from the EU Member States, social partners, civil society and European anti-discrimination bodies came together to discuss the promotion of equal opportunities in Europe. In future an Equality Summit at ministerial level will be held every year, serving to identify the further steps required to achieve a European Union that is characterised by full equality in practice, diversity and non-discrimination. An important focus of the European Year will be on demonstrating the benefits of diversity for European societies and individuals. Discrimination is not only illegal; it is also costly to the economy and to society as a whole.

All 27 EU member states will participate in the European Year, as well as Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. Activities include a pan-European information campaign as well as national and local activities in all EU countries. Individual national launches for the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All will subsequently take place in February and early March. A closing conference under Portuguese chairmanship in Lisbon is scheduled for late November to allow conclusions and recommendations to be made in time for the last Council of Ministers, meeting in Brussels in December.

For more information on the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All, please click here. You will be redirected to the official website of the Year (http://equality2007.europa.eu).