The promotion of racial equality was the main objective of an EU co-funded project implemented throughout this year by the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality.

I’m Not Racist, But... was a project co-funded by EU PROGRESS funds. The Agency for the Welfare of Asylum Seekers (AWAS), Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Malta and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Malta were partners in this project.

At the opening of a Conference concluding this project, NCPE’s Commissioner Ms Maud Muscat explained the purpose of this Conference which is to discuss the activities implemented under the I’m Not Racist, But... initiative and to identify insights from these activities for a more effective promotion of anti-racism.

In his address, Minister for Justice, Dialogue and the Family Dr. Chris Said said that through the project I’m Not Racist, But... NCPE continued to raise awareness and spur development in the area of equality. Minister Said mentioned how this project’s activities brought immigrant

and ethnic community groups from different countries in contact with people who work and practice in the field of equality thereby enhancing the dissemination of information about lobbying and advocacy, empowerment, rights and remedies, getting one’s voice heard and reporting perceived discrimination.

Following a presentation of the main activities of I’m Not Racist, But..., delivered by the Project’s Coordinator Ms Francesca Dayal, the results of a research study on immigrant and ethnic minority groups and housing in Malta were presented. Researchers Ms Marika Fsadni and Dr Maria Pisani explained how this qualitative research delved into the housing

experiences of ethnic minorities and the concerns of property owners and their representatives. It was explained that discrimination in housing may take place in denying,

directly or indirectly, an individual or a group the right to buy or rent any housing, on the basis of their race, ethnicity or colour. Therefore, the research illustrates numerous examples of direct and indirect housing discrimination in Malta.

Dr. Neil Falzon, the trainer of the four training sesssions given to the African Communities said that nearly one hundred and forty (140) persons from the African communities living in Malta were trained on various issues. The main aim of this training was to contribute in laying the foundations to empower the African communities in Malta to take up their role and participate more actively in the implementation of legislation relating to difference of treatment and discrimination.

External evaluator, Prof. Suzanne Gatt, highlighted a background research on the situation of immigrant and ethnic minority groups in Malta before this project was carried out, especially with regards to the areas of housing and accommodation being targeted in this project.

Concluding the Conference, NCPE’s Executive Director, Dr Romina Bartolo, reiterated NCPE’s role of continuously raising awareness on racial ethnicity with the aim of empowering more persons on their rights and responsibilities vis-à-vis discrimination in various economic and social spheres.

For further information contact NCPE on 2590 3850 or [email protected]