“Creating a British society at ease with its diversity” - Arlene McCarthy MEP launches key event on non-discrimination

On 14 May in Manchester the launch event for the year was held.  One of the keynote speakers was Arlene McCarthy MEP for the North West.

 

The focus of the European Year of Equal Opportunities for all is on:

Rights – raising awareness of the right to equality and non-discrimination, and the problem of multiple discrimination.

Representation – stimulating the debate on ways to increase the participation of under-represented groups in society, in particular groups that are victims of discrimination.  
Recognition – celebrating and accommodating diversity and equality.

Respect – promoting a more cohesive society.

 

Prejudice and discrimination have no place in a fair, free and just Britain. While we have made substantial progress to fight these injustices over the past decades, inequality still scars our society and holds back too many individuals from realising their full potential.

 

In the UK, March 2007 marked the 200 anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade. This bi-centenary provided a major focus for schools, libraries, museums and galleries and the media to look at and reflect on the struggles of the past, the progress we have made so far and the challenges that remain. 

 

In October 2007, the UK sees the opening of the new Commission for Equality and Human Rights (CEHR).  This will be the largest Equalities body in the world and will bring together existing organisations:  the Equal Opportunities Commission, Disability Rights Commission and Commission for Racial Equality and will also for the first time have responsibility for issues of Age Discrimination and discrimination on the grounds of religion.

 

The CEHR is the national implementing body for the UK for the European Year and it wants to mark 2007 - the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All and the opening of the new Commission in a memorable way.

 

Following the launch a series of events across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will focus on what we can all do to help create a fairer and more equal society. In England in June and July one day seminars will look at lessons from the European experience and how Europe can help us in the UK achieve a nation at ease with diversity. Each event will also include a human rights roundtable to help increase knowledge and understanding of the new human rights culture.