Combating discrimination: Community action programme 2001-2006

This document is an amended proposal for a Council Decision establishing a Community Action Programme to combat discrimination 2001-2006, pursuant to Article 250(2) of the EC Treaty. On 25.11.1999, the Commission adopted a proposal for a Council decision establishing a Community Action Programme to combat discrimination (2001-2006), in the framework of a package of measures based on Article 13 of the EC Treaty. In light of the opinion of the Committee of the Regions, the Economic and Social Committee and the European Parliament, the Commission modified its original proposal as follows: - it clarified that the prevention of discrimination is also important as a means of combating it. The empowerment of self-help groups has also been included as an objective of the proposal; - the areas of action covered by the proposal have been clarified to include forms of multiple discrimination; - the proposal recognises the diverse nature of groups facing discrimination, and that particular difficulties exist in relation to one ground of discrimination only; - the importance of information from the programme being accessible has been emphasised, in order to facilitate the participation of disabled people and others. The texts and guidelines will be in clear and accessible language, and the proposal will take into account the special needs of disabled participants wherever possible; - the recitals highlight the need to develop equal opportunities policy in new areas, in addition to strengthening it in the existing areas. The gender perspective is to be integrated at all levels of the proposal, and all grounds of discrimination are to be considered equally important; - the role of non-governmental organisations in the programme has been highlighted, and the Commission will make relevant information available to them. The recitals recognise the importance of such organisations of all sizes and the need to provide core funding to them; - further clarification has been included of the need for consistency and complementarity with activities under other programmes, including action in the field of equal opportunites, the Community Statistical Programme, and other research activities; - transnational exchange activities under the programme will involve actors from a minimum of 3 Member States, reduced from 4. �