1. COMENIUS MEETING THESSALONIKI Common Values 13.06.20161

2. Definition of Equality in the Basic Law (1) All persons are equal before the law. (2) Men and women have equal rights. The state promotes the actual implementation of equal rights for women and men and take steps to eliminate disadvantages that are now existing. (3) No person must be advantaged or disadvantaged due to sex, race, language, origin, faith, or religious or political beliefs. No person may be disadvantaged due to disability. 13.06.20162

3. Equality means the state or quality of being equal a democratic achievement the prohibition of discrimination, no disadvantage before law 13.06.20163

4. History it has its origin in the French Revolution: “liberté, égalité et fraternité“ men and women did not have equal rights in the 18th century men had to work hard, women had to clean, cook and parenting In the 18th century forced marriages became modern again no formal education for women The sole purpose of women: Having children Equality has improved since 1958: –equality in household –in sexual matters –in parenting –in education 13.06.20164

5. Development 1948: due to efforts of the female side the prohibition of discrimination against people is part of the declaration of human rights 1952: the Austrian women have gained all political rights (e.g. the right to vote or the right to work in public office) 1957: legal bases for men and woman have to be equal (founding contract of the european community) 1977: 8th of may is determined to celebrate the “International Woman‘s Day“ until 1995: three international women‘s conferences had taken place (main content: equality of men and women and sexual right of determination) 2000: equality of men and woman in all matters (Fundamental Rights Charter) 13.06.20165

6. Situation Today 128 states of the world were examined in regard to equality for men and women  evaluation: First ranks, nordic countries (Sweden, Iceland, Finland and Norway) last ranks: Tunesia, Turkey, Morocco still cases of inequality: women get one third less money than men for same work  influeneces equal opportunites, economic participation and education level strategy of equality of men and women (in 2010- 2015) –new goals: better status of woman at work, society and leading position (world wide) 13.06.20166

7. Popular Quotations “It is thought that justice is equality, and so it is, though not for everybody but only for those who are equals and it is thought that inequality is just, for so indeed it is, though not for everybody, but for those who are unequal.“ –Aristotle, Politics "There is no liberation of humanity without the social independence and gender equality." - August Bebel, Woman and Socialism 13.06.20167

8. Some Pictures There can be no democracy without justice, without equality. 13.06.20168

9. Freedom of speech and opinion / religious freedom

10. part of the human rights every person has the right to have his individual opinion and to utter it at any time and any place the right to choose one‘s own religion (or not to have one) and practise it personal freedom is limited by personal basic rights of other individuals

11. Freedom of speech and opinion /religious freedom Freedom of speech first emerged in the ancient Athens‘ democracy Freedom of Religion first asserted in the “Edict of Milan“ in the late Roman Empire first asserted in the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizens in France, 1789 ( “French Revolution“) first asserted in Germany in the Weimar Republic (separation of state and church) the Nazi Regime abolished basic rights as the freedom of speech and opinion in Germany is now guaranteed by Article 5 of the Basic Law (the Constitution) in Germany

12. Justice - Rule of Law German Basic Law regulates everything by law and the laws are valid under any circumstances Fundamental thoughts of justice were given by Aristotle (384 BC – 322 BC): Law should govern and not anyone of the citizens At the end of the 18th century the term ‘Rule of Law‘ was coined in Germany 19th century : Liberals used it in their political program After the Revolution in 1848: the idea was partially executed (beginning of constitutional monarchy) After World War II: establishment of the German Constitution ‘Basic Law‘ in 1949

13. Common values Solidarity and Welfare State

14. Basic Law: Social State -> Welfare State Germany Meaning: institution of social insurance plus: state supports the unemployed -> money ruled by law Hartz IV Three pillars -Health Insurance -Unemployment Insurance -Pension Scheme

15. Examples: Entire medical treatment is paid by health insurances that are regulated by the state e.g. AOK, Techniker, DEBEKA, Barmer, etc. Eldery taken care of by care services in case of unemployment the unemployment insurance pays a certain percentage of the former wages for some time All these insurances are funded by the employers and the employees alike progressive income tax means that the percentage of the tax increases with the amount of wages Hartz IV

16. Right of seeking asylum Any person who is persecuted due to political, racial or religious reasons in any state can be granted asylum by the German state.