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'For Diversity. Against Discrimination.' truck tour to help the drive against discrimination in the EU

Brussels, 31 August 2004

An information truck hits the road tomorrow 1 September, beginning a tour of 10 EU countries to raise awareness of anti-discrimination issues. Part of the European Commission's wider "For Diversity. Against Discrimination" campaign designed to inform citizens of their rights under new EU anti-discrimination legislation, the truck tour will help the European Union's drive to combat discrimination and promote diversity. Odile Quintin, Employment and Social Affairs Director General at the European Commission and the Belgian Minister for Equality, Christian Dupont will start the truck off on its journey to visit 19 cities in 10 EU countries over a three month period.

The touring truck will visit ten EU Member States between September and November this year - Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Poland, Latvia, Denmark, United Kingdom, Ireland, France and Italy. In each country, national personalities, ranging from singers to politicians, will greet the truck. In Slovakia, Ibrahim Maiga, an actor, singer and musician, will be on hand while in Poland, Marek Kaminski, who reached both North and South Poles in the same year, will attend.

"The truck tour offers a practical opportunity to make people aware of their rights and obligations regarding discrimination at the workplace," Ms Quintin said. "Surveys show that many EU citizens believe that a person's ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation could be a disadvantage when job searching. The tour enables us, with the support of a varied programme, to portray diversity as a positive alternative to discrimination."

Visitors to the truck can find out about the benefits of a discrimination-free working environment and how to protect themselves against workplace discrimination through EU directives. A special highlight is the Europe-Quiz, whereby visitors can test their knowledge on anti-discriminatory guidelines and EU history through games. The programme also includes films on discrimination, regional and national music acts, exhibitions and a round of talks with politicians, companies and representatives of workers and employers.

Events at each of the 19 city stops will be co-ordinated together with national campaign partners, which include ministries, unions and employers associations, to help emphasise the specific characteristics of each country.

The truck boasts the latest technology and is designed for everyone to benefit. It is fitted with a lift and a ramp for use by people with disabilities and a Braille guide connected to a special terminal for the visually impaired.

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