EU’s anti-discrimination truck tour hits the road

This year’??s ‘For Diversity. Against Discrimination’ Truck Tour, launched every year since 2003 by the European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, Vladimi­r Spidla, will visit ten EU Member States: Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovenia and Slovakia.

Stopping in two cities per country, the truck will visit music, youth and film festivals, sporting events, universities and employment fairs, and bring together business, NGOs, musicians, artists and the general public to explore discrimination and diversity issues.

The ‘For Diversity. Against Discrimination.’ Truck Tour brings information about EU anti-discrimination laws to people all over Europe by stopping in different towns and cities for a day of activities in which visitors are invited to participate. The truck team works with local organisations, such as NGOs and employer associations, so that the activities developed for each stop are relevant and appealing to visitors. These include debates, quizzes, karaoke, plus performances from local singers and musicians. This year’s tour builds on the success of four previous tours organised every summer since 2004. In total the truck has visited 78 cities in all 27 EU Member States and over half a million people have taken part in its activities.

What is the “For Diversity. Against Discrimination.” campaign?

The “For Diversity. Against Discrimination.” information campaign was launched by the European Commission in 2003 and aims to inform people about their rights and obligations under EU-wide legislation to combat discrimination. At the same time, the campaign aims to raise awareness of discrimination issues and the benefits of diversity in general. Since 2007, it has been funded through PROGRESS, the EU’s employment and social solidarity programme which runs until 2013. The programme has a planned budget of EUR 260 million over the seven year period for activities to fight discrimination and promote equality between women and men, with around EUR 30 million dedicated to the campaign activities.

Who is involved in the campaign activities?

Along with the European Commission, around 500 national and EU-level organisations – including employers’ associations, trade unions and NGOs – are actively involved in the campaign across the 27 EU Member States. Most activities in the campaign are organised on a national and local basis with direct involvement of partner organisations. In order to avoid overlap and increase efficiency, the campaign links in with national awareness-raising measures already underway, often involving the organisation of joint activities.

What is the “For Diversity. Against Discrimination.” Truck Tour?

For the fifth successive year, the “For Diversity. Against Discrimination.” Truck Tour returns to Europe’s roads as an integral part of the European Commission’s efforts to inform citizens about their anti-discrimination rights and promote the positive benefits of diversity in the workplace. The Truck Tour aims to promote the key “For Diversity. Against Discrimination.” campaign message that diversity and equal opportunities are positive and beneficial to society, with scheduled activities celebrating individuality and difference across the EU.

The 2008 Truck Tour set off from Prague, Czech Republic, on 21 June and will  finish in Ljubljana, Slovenia on 14 October, making a total of 20 stops and visiting 10 of the newest EU Member States en route. The truck will visit music, youth and film festivals, sporting events, universities and employment fairs, and bring together business, NGOs, musicians, artists and the general public to explore discrimination and diversity issues. Among them: on 28 June in Krakow (Poland) at the Jewish Culture Festival, on 18-19 July at the Pohoda Festival in Trencin (Slovakia) or on 12 August in Haapsalu (Estonia) for the International Youth Day.

What can visitors expect to see on the Truck?

The Truck Tour spreads the campaign’s message through a series of fun, interactive events taking place on or around the Truck. This year’s Truck Tour will showcase visitors’ musical talents through the ‘Diversity Song Contest’ and their artistic abilities through participation in a collective ‘Raise your hand for Diversity’ fresco. Both brains and brawn will also be put to the test, with visitors invited to take part in a special ‘Diversity Game Show’, a quiz on EU anti-discrimination laws and to navigate their way around a challenging ‘Ability Park’ obstacle course. This activity, developed together with disability NGOs, is designed to mirror the sorts of barriers faced by people with disabilities in everyday life.

An additional mix of special events such as round-table discussions, speeches, concerts and dance performances will take place in selected venues to complete an action-packed programme tailored to each country.

What about disabled visitors?

The truck is fully equipped to meet the needs of people with disabilities. The most significant feature is a wheelchair lift, which enables wheelchair users to access the Truck. Fitted with an integrated electric motor that can carry a maximum of 200kg up to the stage height of 1.4 metres, the lift was designed exclusively for the Truck and is one of the highest mobile lifts currently in operation in Europe. To ensure easy access to all areas on the Truck, the interior has no steps.

Which other activities are planned for 2008?

This year’s campaign includes the “For Diversity. Against Discrimination.” Truck Tour, the European Journalist Award and numerous EU-wide and individual Member State events. Information on all events and activities taking place in the 27 Member States will be made available on the specific multilingual campaign website: www.stop-discrimination.info. Activities will be supplemented by a range of written and promotional materials and audiovisual services, tailored to the needs of individual countries and produced and disseminated throughout the Member States.

How do European citizens perceive discrimination?

Only one in three Europeans is fully aware that they are legally protected against discrimination! Information on EU citizens’ perceptions on discrimination is available in a Eurobarometer special survey published in 2007. The 2008 Eurobarometer survey will be released beginning of July along with country sheets.

What is the legal background?

The campaign raises awareness of the EU laws introduced in 2000 – in particular, Directives 2000/43/EC and 2000/78/EC – which prohibit discrimination on the grounds of racial or ethnic origin, religion and belief, disability, age and sexual orientation. All EU Member States were required to integrate these Directives into national law by 2003. Some countries have requested an extension period, however. New Member States were required to integrate the two Directives into their legal systems before they joined the EU.

Find out more: www.diversitycrew.eu