Whereas racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism are opposed to fundamental rights, as referred to in Community law, recognised in international declarations/instruments and endorsed in constitutional traditions,

Whereas there is a continuing presence of racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism throughout Europe, which poses a major challenge for our societies and which calls for the mobilisation of all partners in counteracting these phenomena,

Whereas the Council and the Member States have recognised this challenge in designating 1997 as the European Year Against Racism,

We, the undersigned, affirm :

 the fundamental right of everyone to live free of discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, colour, religion or national or ethnic origin ;
 the necessity to build partnerships in order to join forces in the struggle against racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism. We, the undersigned, commit ourselves :
 to strengthen our action to fight racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism in all areas of life, thereby making use of all resources and instruments available ;
 to cooperate to this end with all relevant partners ;
 to initiate, stimulate and promote the dissemination of good practice and experience ; – to further relevant measures, including European and national codes of conduct. We, the undersigned, intend :
 to actively take part in the European Year Against Racism ;
 to actively take part in the process of European mobilisation launched through the European Year Against Racism.

We call upon all European institutions, public authorities, private organisations and individuals at both European, national and local level, to contribute in everyday life, at school, at the workplace and in the media, to the struggle against racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism. José María Gil-Robles Gil-Delgado Jacques Santer President of the European Parliament President of the European Commission Economic and social rights and development Racism and xenophobia constitute a serious threat, not only to the stability of European society, but also to the smooth functioning of the economy(1).

European economies are not using their diverse workforce to its full potential(1).

Discrimination interferes with the free movement of people and services by preventing those who suffer from discrimination from obtaining jobs, housing or the services they seek(2).

Variations in national levels of protection against racism will discourage people likely to suffer from racism from moving within the European Union to Member States where protection is insufficient(2). Full social, economic and political participation by all citizens is integral to European development. But racism both excludes and, at the same time, feeds on exclusion. When people feel threatened or pushed aside in a divided society, they will want to push others aside.

The fight against racism and xenophobia is closely linked to the general employment situation and to migration and integration policies such as access to education and accommodation(1).

EUROPE AGAINST RACISM (1) Joint declaration by the social partners on the prevention of racial discrimination and xenophobia and promotion of equal treatment at the workplace. (2) 1997 European Year Against Racism, opening conference report. Wim Kok Prime Minister of the Netherlands President in office of the Council

This cartoon is published in all the official languages of the European Union : Spanish, Danish, German, Greek, English, French, Italian, Dutch, Portuguese, Finnish and Swedish. European Commission Directorate-General for Information, Communication, Culture and Audiovisual Media Publications Unit, Rue de la Loi 200, B-1049 Brussels For more information on the EU’s social policy see : http://europa.eu.int/pol/socio/en/socio.htm Specific address for education : http://europa.eu.int/comm/campus Published by the Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, 1998 Design and execution : Concerto Brussels, e-mail : rudi@concerto.be Graphics : Sergio Salma Colours : Mauricet A wide range of further information on the European Union is available on the Internet. It can be accessed through the Europa server (http://europa.eu.int). Cataloguing data can be found at the end of this publication. ISBN 92-828-4019-0 © European Communities, 1998