Equality bodies have been established by the European Union to fight against discrimination and to promote equality. Doing so, they contribute to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and take an active part in the implementation as well as the monitoring of the SDG. Equality bodies work on eliminating social inequalities and are especially contributing to establishing and strengthening gender equality. Equality bodies ensure the access to justice for victims of discrimination. In supporting equality and inclusion in employment and occupation as well as in the access to and supply of goods and services, equality bodies also contribute to poverty reduction. In order to adequately fulfill this role, equality bodies have to organised according to necessary standards with regards to their independence and effectiveness. Both the European Commission as well as the Council of Europe have already made recommendations in this matter.
The event will be in both English and German.
Agenda
Introduction
Wolfgang Bogensberger, Deputy Head of the Representation of the European Commission in Austria
Welcoming words (video message)
President Alexander Van der Bellen
Minister for families, youth and women Juliane Bogner-Strauß
Keynote: Sustainable Development Goals and Equality Bodies
Claude Cahn, Human Rights Officer, UN Human Rights Office for Europe
Standards for Equality Bodies
Tena Šimonović Einwalter, Deputy Ombudswoman Croatia, Chair of Equinet Board
Leave no one behind: driving policies through data and human rights based approach
Massimo Toschi, International Relations Officer – SDGs Coordinator, Institutional Cooperation & Networks Unit, EU Agency for Fundamental Rights
Panel discussion
Hans-Jörg Hofer, Disability Ombudsman
Isolde Kafka, antidiscrimination delegate for the State of Tyrol
Sandra Konstatzky, head of the Ombud for Equal Treatment