Workshop 3

Which expertise can the new countries bring to the EU with regard to the fight against racism and discrimination? New EU States’ legacy of Communism, being behind the Berlin Wall, and other historical factors. These contribute to a real feeling of being able to now “start a fresh”, an ability and will to realize change at all levels. Old member states have to use NEUS as a mirror for looking at the many issues they have yet to address. Europe will be able to avoid and change mistakes and errors of the past and change direction for the future. NEUS will offer new and impetus to tackle Racism

Which strategies would you like for ENAR to employ in its advocacy work on the European level? zThere is a lack of reliable data and information gathering and field work are vital. zENAR should communicate clearly the situation in the EU zCandidate country problems should be addressed zENAR should subscribe its action in a global context and consider the social political context: For example, how can we be efficient in our fight against racism in the new member states if we don’t take account of the realities of citizens and non-citizens. zEuropean Directives could be transposed and bring attention to these will be a solid basis for our work. zEU institutional level needs to be confronted

Is a specific victim group approach helpful or is ethnic discrimination and racism experienced the same way in all countries by all groups? Question: What is a victim. Who is a victim? Is racism the same as Ethnic discrimination? What is the real ? here? Currently, victim based approached is used in CEE. Advocacy uses examples of victimization to make a point and a structure is needed to facilitate decision makers abilities to make change. However, a two sided approach is necessary to really achieve change. Then again, EU directive is supposed to be applicable for everyone and we need to support that vision of inclusion. We run the risk of alienating groups who are overlooked and don’t have resources for building empowerment for social and historical, etc. reasons.

What would you expect from cooperation with NGOs from other EU member states? What topics would be most important for you to cooperate at the EU level? zSkinheads/Hooligans zHealth care zChildren sent into State/Institutional care zEducation zLanguage of Racism zNew/Changing Face of Racism (i.e. Internet) zMultiple discrimination zLegislation vs. Practice zRacism: Especially exclusion from citizenship (member states need to address the past and present reality of this situation

What would you expect from cooperation with NGOs from other EU member states? What topics would be most important for you to cooperate at the EU level? zENAR to facilitate cross border projects and visits between member organizations so they can understand each others work. zA chance to exchange experiences z***ENAR should create a database including topics, statistics, etc. to promote the exchange of information for individual field and network and expertise from all members. zENAR should create Europe wide campaigns for effective lobbying on a topic to topic basis. zThere is a discrepancy between legislation and practice and we are still waiting for policies to be implemented. This reflects a need to change attitudes in society and to draw attention to the way things can be, even if it has not happened yet.

How can ENAR approach the diversity of the situations in a horizontal manner? zLobbying and developing contacts zENAR members need to initiate the links and connections between each others work zExperience with legislation (how to fight battles and instigate change) and Fundraising need to be shared. zThe theme of fighting the mentality of people should be central.