The third Equality Summit focusing on Cooperation for Equality opened in Stockholm on Monday. Representatives from governments, human rights institutions, the business sector, the media and NGOs are gathering to discuss how to strengthen cooperation to combat discrimination. Member of the European Parliament Emine Bozkurt and Vice President of Social Platform Myria Vassiliadou stressed that the EU should play an important role in bringing about increased cooperation.
Ms. Vassiliadou said that inequality and discrimination require action and mobilisation in all areas and therefore the active cooperation of all actors. “For example, governments and public institutions need to adopt legislation which in turn needs to be implemented by the legal profession, made known to the public, made visible etc. That is where the media and civil society become crucial actors as well. There are clear limitations as to what each actor can do in their own sector – discrimination cannot be solved in only one area of action”. Ms. Vassiliadou said that systematic and comprehensive cooperation between all stateholders is fundamental in this process. “And at the end of the day, when individuals experience discrimination, they turn to different bodies and actors to resolve the problem. It is only through those bodies and actors carefully coordinating their efforts that individuals will be served and protected,” said Ms. Vassiliadou. DOWNLOAD THE FULL DOCUMENT: People s Daily Online Cooperation among all stakeholders to fight against discrimination in EU 23 Nov 2009
