Photo competition speaks volumes about diversity

A picture speaks a thousand words, and the “Breaking Stereotypes” photo competition is this year seeking images that make a bold statement about European diversity. Launched on 1 March, the 2007 contest has already attracted a diverse pool of entries from visual arts students across Europe, with the United Kingdom and Romania leading the way. The competition provides an exceptional opportunity for young European artists to challenge stereotypes and to raise awareness for the benefits of equal opportunities. Due to the high number of requests and to allow more students to enter the competition, the deadline has been extended to 31 July 2007.

A special website features all the relevant information about the contest and the campaign, including the entry rules. Click here to enter.

Truck Tour brings the campaign to Slovenia

Visitors at the truck stop in Maribor

are participating in the diverse programme

More than 1000 young people and 40 organisations attended the Slovenian stop of the 2007 “For Diversity. Against Discrimination.” Truck Tour in Maribor on 9 May. Guests were able to meet with numerous well-known politicians, musicians and athletes, and were welcomed with a letter from Slovenian President Janez Drnovšek, which was read aloud.

The event garnered significant attention in the Slovenian media, with 15 interviews conducted on the day and more than 30 broadcasts reports or print articles subsequently appearing. Among the interviewed persons most in demand were Diversity Ambassador and popular Slovenian singer Marijan Novina and the face of the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All campaign, Suzana Tratnik, a writer, translator and well-known lesbian activist.

For more information on the Truck Tour, click here.

Disabled athletes compete in Lübeck

Bettina Eistel, German Diversity Ambassador, opened the 27th Regional Sports Meeting for disabled people, in Lübeck, Germany, on 9 June 2007. The event saw 37 associations and 920 athletes with disabilities compete in different disciplines at the Buniamshof Stadium.   
Ms Eistel works as a disabled German dressage rider who was born without arms but guides her horse with the help of her mouth and feet. At the 2004 Paralympics in Athens, she won two silver medals and one bronze. She has been German champion in her discipline four times, was ranked second worldwide in 2003, and second in Europe in 2002. 

To learn more about Diversity Ambassadors in Germany, click here.

Stop-Discrimination makes news at Hungarian media conference

Leading experts and decision-makers from Hungarian and international media corporations met on 15-16 May 2007 at the Club Tihany Hotel in Tihani, a village on the northern shore of Lake Balaton to discuss digital technology and its effects on the media. At the conference, the “For Diversity.Against Discrimination.” stand attracted the attention of participants, who showed great interest in the Journalist Award and the overall campaign. A round table discussion took place alongside the conference and was moderated by Kóczián Péter, a well-known Hungarian reporter. The subject of the discussion was the impact that online media has on the debate about equal opportunities. The roundtable discussion and the stand were featured in the regional press raising awareness of the “For Diversity.Against Discrimination.” campaign among the Hungarian media.

To read more about events in Hungary, click here.

European Journalist Award 2007

The Journalist Award 2007 competition is open until 30 September 2007 to print or online journalists from all 27 EU Member States. Journalists are invited to submit articles that raise awareness of diversity and discrimination on the grounds of racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, age, gender, disability or sexual orientation. The 2007 competition features a special prize for work highlighting events organised as part of the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All. Journalists are particularly encouraged to raise awareness of diversity in employment and discrimination on multiple grounds.

Click here for more information on how to participate.

IDAHO hits out at homophobia

Denmark’s Gay and Lesbian Association youth branch (LBL-Youth) took a novel but hard-hitting approach to tackling discrimination on 17 May as it celebrated the International Day Against Homophobia for the second time.

The organisation instigated the ironic “Hit a Homo” campaign to draw attention to the issue of homophobia, which is unfortunately still prevalent within and beyond Denmark’s borders.

IDAHO supports those who, because of their sexuality, have lost jobs, been subjected to harassment or exclusion or don’t feel they can open up to colleagues, fellow students or family members. LBL-Youth used the day to challenge heterosexual Danes to be aware of how their actions “hit a homo.”

For more information, visit www.slaaenhomo.dk, www.lblungdom.dk or email idaho@lbl.dk 

Introducing our national partners in Estonia: EIHR

The Estonian Institute for Human Rights (EIHR) was founded by former Estonian President Lennart Meri on Human Rights Day, 10 December 1992, with the aim of enhancing the cause of human rights in the country.

The institute’s activities include monitoring the Estonian and global situations regarding individual and collective human rights, compiling and publishing manuals and providing legal aid. EIHR has formed contacts with national and international human rights organisations and engages experts to foster human rights in Estonia and inform the public about relevant issues within the country.

The most prominent project created by EIHR is the Legal Aid Service and its associated information office, which offer free legal aid and information on human rights through a daily service in both the Estonian and Russian languages. The service was established with the help of regional and metropolitan governments, organisations including the Open Estonia Foundation, the International Commission of Jurists and the support from the Estonian state budget.

The institute publishes reports, teaching materials and lectures, translates international human rights documents and promotes educational programmes for young lawyers and law students.

For more information on our national campaign partners in Estonia, please click here.