2007 is the European year of Equal Opportunities for all. You are the President of the AER working group on Equal Opportunities. What will be the main events in 2007?

2007 is an important year, but personally speaking, I do not consider that anniversaries are the right time for reaching solutions. Europe is constructed every day of every year!

The activities carried out during this year will be based on four key objectives:

- In terms of rights: ensuring that the general public is aware of their rights to equal treatment and non-discrimination and the issue of multiple discrimination. Countries are currently committed to implementing rights and obligations

which are binding within the European community ; however, in the field, these rights are not applied. Populations must be made aware that it is in their own interest to ensure that these rights are respected;

- In terms of representation: stimulating debate on the means of reinforcing the participation of groups which are victims of discrimination in society and ensuring a more balanced participation of men and women;

- In terms of recognition: simplifying and celebrating diversity and equality;

- In terms of respect: working in favour of a more respectful society.

What is the current situation for Equal Opportunities in Europe?

Much still remains to be done. It is also a shame that only 8 out of the 27 European Commissioners are women. If we take a look at director generals and deputy director generals, the situation is even worse, with only 9 women out of 74! Less than 50% of MEPs are women. Only a few countries implemented the proportional quotas in European elections with total parity, particularly France, where this is a legal requirement. I hope to see full parity in the Parliament after future elections. These are not simply words without meaning, particularly in terms of representation.

You were elected as AER Vice-President at the General Assembly last November.

What action will you take in the new strategy adopted by the AER for the period 2007-2012?

This year, the AER will clearly be more active in terms of Equal Opportunities. From now on, we will hold two Equal Opportunities meetings instead of one single annual meeting as was previously the case.

The AER is delighted with the creation of the European Institute for Gender Equality in Vilnius (Lithuania), with its budget of 52.50 million euros for the period 2007-2010. A forum of experts will be created as a separate body of the European Gender Institute and the AER will attempt to participate in this forum.

I am personally going to organise a working meeting between the French-speaking Regions in order to highlight their role within the AER.

Objectives

-Mobilising the Regions, in view of the continued development of effective action to promote equal opportunities and the application of women's rights

-Distributing information within the group for future political use in the Regions and applying pressure for compliance with public policies at regional level

-Collecting the experience and good practices of member regions to encourage exchange and dialogue

-Combating stereotypes and prejudice

-Assessing current progress - within AER member Regions - since the drafting of the Manifesto of Barcelona (2002) and the Venice (2003) and Kiruna (2006) Declarations