Zentrum für Chancengleichheit und Rassismusbekämpfung Centre for Equal Opportunities and Opposition to Racism Centre pour l’égalité des chances et la lutte contre le racisme Centrum voor gelijkheid van kansen en voor racismebestrijding

Centre for Equal Opportunities and Opposition to Racism An autonomous federal public service Established by an Act of Parliament on February 15, 1993 with the mandate: –to promote equal opportunities –to fight each form of distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference.

Centre for Equal Opportunities and Opposition to Racism Initially: support to victims of racial discrimination Consecutive Acts of Parliament: mandate expanded: –Migration –Human trafficking –Poverty –Non-racial discrimination

Centre for Equal Opportunities and Opposition to Racism Competent for 16 grounds of discrimination Works on 3 levels: –Assistance to victims of discrimination –Prevention –Development of expertise

The Belgian situation Different political levels: federal, regional, communitarian Competencies concerning AD: dispersed over these levels To comply with European Directives: each level needs to develop AD- legislation

The Belgian situation CEOOR: –Federal institution –Competent for federal AD- legislation –Not competent for regional and communitarian AD- legislation –Need for partnerships with competent bodies at the other political levels

Building partnerships In order to carry out its legal mandate, the CEOOR co-operates with strategic partners Three types of partnerships: –Geographical –Thematical –Per ground of discrimination

Building partnerships 1. Geographical

Regional and Community Governments have AD-legislation in place Looking at ways to ensure that citizens have access to their rights CEOOR: extensive expertise but only competent for federal AD-legislation Partnerships between CEOOR and Regional and Community Governments Building partnerships: Geographical

Walloon Region and French Community: –Negotiations at early stage –Contacts and dialogue –Exploring possibilities of collaboration Building partnerships: Geographical

Flemish level: –Flandres is setting up 14 “equal treatment bureaus” –In different cities –Each has its own geographical working area Building partnerships: Geographical

Tasks of the equal treatment bureaus: –Assist victims of discrimination –Develop preventive action –Stimulate local governments and actors to adopt AD-policies –Report to the Flemish government about discrimination Building partnerships: Geographical

How do equal treatment bureaus reach citizens? Directly: –Press conference at opening: national and local press –Publication of AD-related topics in local press Building partnerships: Geographical

How do equal treatment bureaus reach citizens? Indirectly: –Distribution of flyers and posters to all local social partners –Information sessions for all local social partners Ensure that local social partners will refer to the equal treatment bureau when necessary Building partnerships: Geographical

CEOOR – Flanders: partnership concerning equal treatment bureaus CEOOR offers experience and expertise Legal aspect Building partnerships: Geographical

Protocol of collaboration –Use of electronic registration system –Training –Support Building partnerships: Geographical

Use of electronic registration system –System designed especially for handling cases of discrimination –Used by CEOOR and equal treatment bureaus –Allows for uniformity in terminology, procedure, etc. –Allows for detailed reporting on the situation regarding discrimination in Belgium Building partnerships: Geographical

Training –Intake of cases of discrimination –Networking with local actors –Use of the electronic registration system Building partnerships: Geographical

Support –Six-day internship at CEOOR –Helpdesk –Legal expertise Building partnerships: Geographical

Initially: mostly one-way (CEOOR-equal treatment bureau) Future: two-way process –Equal treatment bureau asks CEOOR for support/information –Equal treatment bureau transfers case to CEOOR –CEOOR transfers case to equal treatment bureau –Feedback! Building partnerships: Geographical

Good example of local anti- discrimination policy Building partnerships: Geographical

Building partnerships 2. Thematic

Building partnerships: Thematic Stakeholders in different societal sectors: work, education, media, police Exchange of information and expertise Individual cases of discrimination Ex.: trade unions

Building partnerships 3. Per ground of discrimination

Building partnerships: Per ground of discrimination Associations whose activities focus on a certain minority Exchange of information and expertise Individual cases of discrimination Ex.: LGB organization Holebifederatie

Good example of local AD- policy: city of Leuven “Local nightlife”: denial of access to goods and services on racial grounds Individual cases Need for a more structural approach

Good example of local AD- policy: city of Leuven Collaboration between –City –Local police force –Security firms –Bar and nightclub owners

Good example of local AD- policy: city of Leuven Security firms: –Logbook for registration of incidents –There are also legitimate reasons for denying access Police: –Active follow-up of reported cases of discrimination –Specific contact person

Good example of local AD- policy: city of Leuven 2 monthly gathering of City, police, equal treatment bureau, bar and nightclub owners discuss problems formulate recommendations for better handling of cases and awareness- raising initiatives discuss a procedure for the handling of complaints

Centre for Equal Opportunities and Opposition to Racism Thank you for your attention!