In time for the New Year, the European Commission (DG Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities) gives the starting signal for the “2007 – European Year of Equal Opportunities for All”. The year is one of the most significant initiatives within the framework of a wider strategy to give momentum to the fight against discrimination in the EU. It will communicate the positive value of diversity and promote equal opportunities for all. Numerous activities on local, regional and national level are already planned throughout the 30 participating countries (27 member states, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway). The year will officially be launched at the equality summit in Berlin on 30-31 January under the German EU Presidency.

The 2007 European Year will address four central themes:

•Rights – raising awareness of the right to equality and non-discrimination and of the problem of multiple discrimination;

•Representation – stimulating debate on ways of increasing the participation in society of groups that are victims of discrimination and ensuring balanced participation among men and women;

•Recognition –facilitating and celebrating diversity;

•Respect – promoting a more cohesive society.

The framework strategy for non-discrimination and equal opportunities for all, which accompanies the Decision on the Year, aims at ensuring that the EU’s anti-discrimination legislation is comprehensively applied and enforced.

The activities during the year will focus on discrimination that people suffer on grounds of their sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation.

In order to reach out to the wider public, the 30 participating countries have planned and initiated numerous national, regional or local activities.

For more information about the “2007 – European Year of Equal Opportunities for all”, please see: http://equality2007.europa.eu.