"Citizens are entitled to enjoy equal treatment and live a life free of any discrimination. The European Year of equal opportunities for everyone intends to ensure that all citizens are aware of that": Vladimìr Spidla, EU commissioner for employment, social affairs and equal opportunities, confirms the organisational work of the Executive Commission in support of the special year, decreed by the EU Parliament and Council for 2007. The Year of equal opportunities, which will start on January 1st 2007 and for which many events are being planned, "will help raise the citizens’ awareness of their right not to be discriminated against, to promote equal opportunities in such areas as employment and health care, and to prove how diversity makes Europe stronger". Four are the main issues the 25 member states will work at: rights, membership; recognition; respect. The EU Commission wants the European Year "to be focussed on the fight against discriminations based on gender, ethnic origin, religion or opinion, disability, age or sex preferences". The budget for 12 months of events "will amount to 15 million euros and will also be used to fund a European-wide information campaign, a new Eurobarometro survey on discrimination and hundreds of nation-wide initiatives such as writing contests for schools". In addition, a conference on equal opportunities will be held.
