The role of the EUMC and EU policies Policing Minorities workshop Sofia, September 28 2006

EUMC’s prime objective “… to provide the Community and its Member States with objective, reliable and comparable data at European level on the phenomena of racism and xenophobia in order to help them take measures or formulate courses of action within their respective spheres of competence.” Council Regulation (EC) No 1035/97 of 2 June 1997, Article 2. 1. EUMC The primary task of the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia (EUMC) is to provide the Community and its Member States with objective, reliable and comparable information and data on racism, xenophobia, islamophobia and anti-Semitism at the European level in order to help the EU and its Member States to establish measures or formulate courses actions against racism and xenophobia. On the basis of the data collected, the EUMC studies the extent and development of the phenomena and manifestations of racism and xenophobia, and analyses their causes, consequences and effects. It is also the task of the EUMC to work out strategies to combat racism and xenophobia and to highlight and disseminate examples of good practice regarding the integration of migrants and ethnic and religious minority groups in the EU Member States. The EUMC provides information, data and analysis to support: the EU Institution policies initiatives and programmes; the positions and policies of the Community and its Member States; the development of policies; the identification and exchange of good practice. The EUMC collects, records and analyses information and data, provided by the RAXEN network, the Member States, inter-governmental organisations, media sources and through its commissioned research. The EUMC has the task of establishing a common framework for information gathering and providing clear guidelines to its contractors to ensure that information collection and recording can meet the needs of the end-users. In addition, the EUMC employs the RAXEN network in rapid response tasks related to major events or specific requests by EU institutions.

The EUMC fulfills its tasks by: Data Collection & Analysis Cooperation with EU / international organisations Cooperation with civil society / media / opinion leaders The EUMC fulfills its task by: - Monitoring racism and xenophobia by collecting, recording and analysing information and data from all EU Member States - Disseminating the results of its activities and its findings to policy-makers in the EU and an interested public - Cooperation with EU institutions, Member States, national and international organisations, and civil society organisations to support the development of practical policies against racism, xenophobia and discrimination

Data Collection & Analysis EUMC activities Information Network RAXEN National Reports Special studies RAXEN Database Rapid Response Outcome: new info Comparative reports, e.g. on employment, legislation, education, racist violence Information on the spot New partnership Sector Data Collection: Collects, compiles and analyses data and information provided by RAXEN Sector Research: Commissions and supervises comparative studies and prepares the Annual Report on the basis of data provided by the NFPs and other sources; Develops concepts for comparability; Commissions and supervises studies on European level of particular interest to the EUMC. Research & Analysis Reports, e.g. Annual, Eurobarometer Special, e.g. Roma

RAXEN Network “…the EUMC is to set up and coordinate a European RAcism and XEnophobia Network (RAXEN) consisting of the Centre's central unit, which shall co- operate with national research centres, Non- Governmental Organizations and Specialist Centres set up by organizations in the Member States or international organizations.” Council Regulation (EC) No 1035/97 of 2 June 1997, Article 2. 1. (h) the EUMC developed the RAXEN network in 2000 composed of national focal points (NFPs) in each Member State contracted to collect data and information from all available sources and report through a variety of reporting tools on both positive policies and initiatives regarding equality and diversity, as well as phenomena of racism, xenophobia and Antisemitism.

RAXEN Network covers all EU Member States acceding countries: Bulgaria, Romania candidate countries: Croatia, Turkey

RESEARCH ORGANISATION RAXEN structure EUMC NFP SPECIAL BODY NGO SOCIAL PARTNER RESEARCH ORGANISATION NFPs are usually consortia of research organisations, NGOs and special bodies selected through an open call for tender and offered an annual contract renewable for a period of up to three years - Independent consortia of national actors with experience in data collection and expertise in research on racism and xenophobia - Selected through open competition - Annual contract renewable upon evaluation - Function: data collection and reporting - Key features: transparency - credibility

RAXEN data collection Key areas Data types Legal issues Employment Education Housing Racist violence and crimes Data types Quantitative (official / unoff. statistics, surveys, etc.) Qualitative (official reports, research studies, etc.)

RAXEN output EUMC reports EUMC – RAXEN DataBase Annual Report Comparative thematic reports Policy focused documents EUMC Bulletin EUMC – RAXEN DataBase Organisations combating racism and xenophobia Major activities Major publications Country Info-Sheets (due to be launched soon) (basic overview information and data, e.g. special bodies, victim support organisations, anti-discrimination legislation, political participation of non-nationals, etc., EU wide) The Info Sheets provide factual country-specific information on - the legal situation, including information on anti-discrimination legislation; racist violence and crime; - the situation of migrants and minorities in employment; - in education; and - in housing. Other useful information which you can find in the database includes - Publicly available official demographic data on minorities and immigrants; - Information on political rights of non-EU citizens (voting rights); and - A selection of organisations providing support to victims of racism. A first version of the database is scheduled to go on line this fall. Over time, more and more information and data will be added, and other issues will be covered. The data and information were collected through the RAXEN network.

Cooperation with EU/international organisations EUMC activities Outcome Exchange information w/ European Commission European Parliament Member States Support of the EP, EC (meetings, specific info, hearings) Support the MS: advice / network of liaison officers International and European organisations Council of Europe OSCE UN Systematic exchange Use of EUMC knowledge Avoiding duplication

Cooperation with civil society/media/opinion leaders EUMC activities Outcome National and European Round Tables Influence perceptions / competence building Dissemination of info material Contact with journalists Awareness raising / competence Media cooperation (CIVIS prize) Perception/competence

Future developments The EUMC will become the Fundamental Rights Agency of the European Union

Cooperation Looking forward to future cooperation! Please check the EUMC website for announcements! http://eumc.eu.int