Organisations dealing with anti-discrimination

The Faculty of Laws, as part of its contribution to the European Commission-funded project named "Mapping capacity of civil society dealing with anti-discrimination", organised a two-day seminar on the subject of anti-discrimination this summer.

The seminar targeted NGOs who are active or want to become active in combating discrimination on the grounds of race or ethnic origin, age, disability, religion or belief and sexual orientation. The programme dealt with key concepts of discrimination as included in the EU anti-discrimination directives, focusing not only on the content of these directives but also on how NGOs can raise awareness, build dialogue with the government, influence policy and practice, and offer support to victims. This was all considered in the light of the legal and practical means already available within the national situation and also considering what could be developed for the future.

The seminar modules were delivered by six trainers from Malta, trained by a team of international experts, who adapted the programme to the Maltese situation. The national trainers were Silvan Agius, Dr Romina Bartolo, Sina Bugeja, Dr Roberta Calleja, Dr Therese Comodini Cachia and Dr Charmaine Grech.

The training seminar was attended by 27 participants, representing different NGOs working in the field of non-discrimination who had the occasion not only to initiate a network between themselves but also to participate in two days of discussion related to issues that closely affect them. Through the several workshops that were held, participants enthusiastically built case studies and found solutions to the problems represented in the case studies, formed action plans and applied EU directives and the respective national laws to situations which they face regularly.

Training materials were developed for the participating NGOs and each received a copy of these materials on CD. Soon the participating NGOs will also receive a training manual for NGOs dealing with anti-discrimination. Should NGOs wish to develop such training for their own members they may contact Dr Comodini Cachia at therese.cachia@um.edu.mt