2007 European year of equal opportunities for all

The 2007 European Year of Equal Opportunities for All sought to make people in the European Union more aware of their rights to equal treatment and to a life free of discrimination. These are two of the basic principles underpinning the EU. The Year also launched a major debate on the benefits of diversity both for European societies and individuals and has been instrumental in bringing key issues to the forefront, such as multiple discrimination and diversity in the workplace. The Year has also highlighted the benefits of mechanisms such as positive action, equality duties, monitoring systems and data gathering as effective tools in making equality a reality.

Achievements and legacy

With more than 430 national actions and over 600 events spreading the messages of the Year and reaching approximately 400.000 people, the European Year achieved its goal. Considerably more Europeans are now aware of their rights to non-discrimination. An estimated 328 million citizens were additionally reached by articles published in newspapers and magazines on the Year’s activities, and there were also nearly 900.000 visitors to the Year’s official website. Over 450 national event reports, publications and news items were published in 22 EU languages on the national information pages of the website, making country-specific information accessible to all European citizens! According to a recent Eurobarometer survey, up to 37 % of Europeans were aware that 2007 was the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All – an impressive result!

But not only has the general public been involved in making the European Year 2007 a success. On the grass-roots level, NGOs and social partners got together over the course of the Year for even further cooperation and networking. These actors played a vital role in making the Year happen. They represented the public view on equality and gave a voice to victims of discrimination. Because national strategies for the Year were designed in close co-operation with civil society, a sustained dialogue was established with local authorities and policy-makers, thereby sowing the seeds of improved governance of equality issues for the future. In some countries, this was the first time that representatives of civil society and policy makers met to discuss issues such as discrimination based on sexual orientation.

The 2007 European Year of Equal Opportunities for All gave the fight against discrimination great momentum and paved the way for a more diverse and just European society! As a result of the Year, EU Member States have taken on a number of ambitious commitments to combat discrimination inside and outside the labor market.