High Commissioner participates in ECRI’s 2016 seminar

For the third time since the role was established, the High Commissioner for the Protection of Rights, Liberties and for Mediation took part in the annual seminar of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), held on 26 and 27 May 2016 in Strasbourg.

The 2016 seminar brought together national bodies specialising in the fight against discrimination from the 47 member states of the Council of Europe, as well as non-governmental organisations, to discuss the role played by such bodies in engaging with public authorities and other stakeholders, including companies, to advocate for improvements to legislation and public policy on equality.

Speakers emphasised the importance of continued dialogue with policymakers and, particularly, with members of legislative authorities. There was also a focus on the need for specialist bodies to work on promoting equality beyond the fight against discrimination, thereby moving from concentrating on resolving problems to seeking true change in society.

The seminar was once again an opportunity for the High Commissioner to develop her thinking based on the experiences and examples presented, and to strengthen her links with her European counterparts.