Social Policy Work: Progress in the battle against discrimination

To influence policy makers we regularly draft reports and studies with analyses of social policies based on evidence provided by all CAI members’ networks.

In 2006 / 2007, CAI focused its social policy work on discrimination.

The report “Equally Advised? Discrimination and Advise in EU states” realized at the end of 2006, launched and put on the policy makers’ agenda on 2007 reflects the experience of EU citizens seeking advice on equality and discrimination issues through the Citizens Advice International network. It makes a compelling case for advice and information as undervalued elements in discrimination prevention and access to justice. And it calls for better data and better evidence – gathering mechanisms to help inform policy –making.  

Citizens Advice International sets out a convincing roadmap towards a clear EU strategy on discrimination and equalities, built on a platform of six key objectives:

• Increasing public awareness
• Strong and proactive single equality bodies
• The reform of public civil legal services
• Increasing access to discrimination advice and advice capacity in all sectors
• Building a discrimination evidence base and
• A program of legal case action in the public domain.

The report clearly laid out the role of advice in the prevention and resolution of discrimination problems.