Anti-dicriminatietruck begint tour door Europa voor gelijke kansen (en)
The EU's Stop-Discrimination Truck heads off on its third EU tour tomorrow 10 August, travelling through 22 cities in 13 countries to promote equal opportunities in employment. On its four-month journey, the 30-ton mobile information platform will visit job fairs, university career days, youth festivals, and companies to raise awareness of the benefits of a discrimination-free working environment. Among other things, the Truck features a mobile 'Ability Park' which puts visitors' senses to the test to highlight the everyday challenges people with disabilities face. To mark Finland's Presidency of the EU, this year's tour starts in Helsinki.
Vladimir Spidla i, European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, said on the launch of the tour "Diversity is clearly a fact of life in today's Europe, however, its economic and social benefits are far from known. The Truck Tour offers an ideal opportunity to raise awareness of how diversity can contribute to our every-day lives. With this tour, we want to reach out in particular to young people who may face discrimination, especially when looking for a job."
The tour has a special focus on young people, informing them about their rights under EU legislation to equality when accessing jobs, education and training. This year's highlight is an interactive 'Ability Park' aimed at sensitising the public to the barriers that people with disabilities face in everyday life. The Park, developed together with disability NGOs, invites visitors to master a fixed course in a wheelchair overcoming obstacles such as curves, ramps and stairs. As an additional challenge to people's senses, visitors will be asked to identify everyday odours and noises without being able to see what they are.
Other new features on the truck include an exhibition presenting the best designs of the "Breaking Stereotypes" EU Poster Competition as well as a Video Vox Pops allowing users to record their personal statement on diversity issues with a video camera. Providing a snapshot of public opinion, the Vox Pops will feature as a short film on the campaign website at www.stop-discrimination.info.
To tailor the tour to the needs and context of each country, each event is organised in close cooperation with local partners which include NGOs, ministries, unions and employer associations. The programme will also feature discussions with various politicians, anti-discrimination training sessions, acting performances, live music acts, and films on anti-discrimination.
For further information on the road show and photos, please see www.stop-discrimination.info
Route of the European Truck Tour 2006
10.08. Helsinki Finland
12.08. Tampere Finland
15.08. Stockholm Sweden
18.08. Malmö Sweden
23.08. Potsdam Germany
25.08. Cottbus Germany
04.09. Vienna Austria
07.09. Novo Mesto Slovenia
11.09. Bologna Italy
14.09. Rome Italy
28.09. Limassol Cyprus
01.10. Pafos Cyprus
12.10. Prague Czech Republic
18.10. Budapest Hungary
24.10. Leeds UK
27.10. Birmingham UK
01.11. Utrecht The Netherlands
04.11. Paris France
09.11. Toulouse France
15.11. Gijon Spain
17.11. Madrid Spain
21.11. Valencia Spain