The directive and communication of the European Commission on non-discrimination, equal opportunities and the implementation of the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of religion, disability, age or sexual orientation comes at a very important moment.

There is a need to turn challenges into opportunities. However it is very important that we are seen to be doing this effectively. Europe and the world are going through difficult times. Insecurity in terms of quality of life abounds and in this respect people have become more pragmatic than ever and only have time for things that tend to make a difference for them here and now.

That is why as rapporteur to the Committee of the Regions I appealed to the members of the commission for economy and social policy that it is imperative that when deciding in February and April 2009 on the directive and communication on non-discrimination we have to put the needs of the people first in whatever decisions and positions we take.

The directive and the communication on non-discrimination should not be diluted to another in a series of opinions but should be seen as one important document of hope. A document that provides concrete proposals to combat discrimination; however it does not lose sight of the wider reality, that is to avoid the risk of poverty to persons who so far suffer from discrimination and are victims of prejudice.

Each person has the right to live entirely in the best way possible but this collective desire and shared hope will still elude those who for one reason or another are considered as less equal than the rest. Unfortunately we still experience situations where equality is seen as a privilege to grant and for someone to feel grateful for.

Equality is not a privilege, it is a right. It is a right because we are diverse, we are different and our uniqueness is an intrinsic value that gives us dignity and therefore deserves respect. In a fast changing world, where millions of people are on the move through migration, where demographic changes are affecting the traditional profile of all nations and where globalisation is making us rub shoulders every day with people we have never met before, the reality of diversity assumes greater and increasing importance.

Furthermore, at a time when the average citizen has doubts whether public structures are robust enough to manage this change, where the average citizen is feeling insecure in the current economic and financial climate and when those perceived as different and belong to minorities are at risk of being made scapegoats, the whole issue of diversity and its management takes on strategic importance.

We, as community leaders, are responsible to ensure that the value of equality is promoted. We need to lead by concrete measures that strengthen and enhance equality for all and at all levels. There cannot be social cohesion unless diversity is respected and equality guaranteed. The document which I am compiling with the expertise of Joe Gerada builds trust and looks at creating the environment that allows one and all the space to be the best that he or she can be.

The document is about social cohesion. Social cohesion rests at the core of stability and prosperity and therefore this document comes at a defining time in history when we badly need to promote trust and find innovative ways of stimulating our economies and enhancing growth.

We need this document today. This also comes at an opportune time. It gives hope to those who so far had to struggle against prejudice on top of their daily effort to make a living for themselves and their families, but it also releases energy for creativity and positive action that can mitigate and perhaps even override slowdown and economic gloom. The request for this opinion could not have come at a better time.

It is pertinent to point out that the fact that the need has arisen to renew this commitment, calls for reflection, as a renewed commitment seems to indicate that the level of commitment had diminished somewhere along the way.

However there is no harm in renewal and in this respect the document is the first to look into the renewed commitment of the commission to present new proposals for implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation.

For this renewed commitment we must understand the importance that equal treatment for all societal groups can only be achieved through joint efforts on all levels of government, especially at local and regional level.

It is important to pay a special attention to multiple discrimination. Taking into account the complexity of legislation and implementation of measures, equal treatment for all societal groups can only be achieved through joint efforts on all levels of government, especially at local and regional level.

In this respect the Abela Baldacchino report will prioritise six areas in particular: Enhancing the legal framework; Strengthening policy tools; Developing targeted approaches; Addressing multiple discrimination; Access to quality employment and social inclusion.

We have sought as wide a consultation as is possible and we have met a number of significant persons and leading organisations and we have taken care to cover the positions of all.

Therefore we welcome the European Commission’s initiative to enlarge the scope of protection of non-discrimination to the areas outside the employment. This is not only intrinsically valid but is needed as it will make a difference to us all now.

Local and regional authorities are the closest level to the citizens. They are major employers across the European Union. They are in pivotal positions to see to people’s needs. Needs that stem from different difficulties which have been dealt with in the past, but we are still striving to achieve in the future. In this respect we have to analyse our past; but we have to shape our future – and this is what we are doing today.

Claudette Abela Baldacchino is a member of the Committee of the Regions and a prospective candidate for EU parliament elections on the Malta Labour Party List.

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www.claudetteabelabaldacchino.eu