Report from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the activities of the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia
Date: 2000-10-06
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: anti-discriminatory measure, anti-racist movement, racial discrimination, racism, xenophobia

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES

Brussels, 06.10.2000
COM(2000) 625 final

REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION
TO THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT,
THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE
AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS

on the activities of the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia

REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION
TO THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT,
THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE
AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS

on the activities of the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia

Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 4

1.

Establishment of the Centre ......................................................................................... 5

1.1. The Consultative Commission on Racism and Xenophobia .................................... 5

1.2. Legal framework.................................................................................................... 5

1.2.1.

Objectives and tasks ..................................................................................... 5

1.2.2.

Working methods and areas of activity ......................................................... 6

1.2.3.

Cooperation with other organisations............................................................ 6

1.2.4.

Management Board and Executive Board ..................................................... 6

1.2.5.

Director and staff.......................................................................................... 7

2.

Resources and structure ............................................................................................... 8

2.1.

Staff....................................................................................................................... 8

2.1.1.

Appointment of the Director......................................................................... 8

2.1.2.

Staff ............................................................................................................. 8

2.2. Budget ................................................................................................................... 8

2.3.

Premises .............................................................................................................. 10

2.3.1.

Selecting a building .................................................................................... 10

2.2.2.

Security issues............................................................................................ 10

2.3.3.

Inauguration ............................................................................................... 10

2.4. Headquarters agreement ....................................................................................... 11

2

3.

Programme of activities and implementation.............................................................. 12

3.1. Raxen................................................................................................................... 12

3.2. Annual report....................................................................................................... 13

3.3. Round Tables....................................................................................................... 13

3.4. Cooperation with other organisations ................................................................... 14

3.4.1.

Council of Europe ...................................................................................... 14

3.4.2.

United Nations World Conference .............................................................. 14

3.5.

Information work and the role of the media.......................................................... 15

3.5.1.

Cologne Conference ................................................................................... 15

3.5.2.

Documentation/Information........................................................................ 15

3.6. Other action ......................................................................................................... 16

3.6.1.

Charter of European political parties........................................................... 16

3.6.2.

Studies........................................................................................................ 16

3.6.3.

Ad hoc working groups .............................................................................. 16

4.

External evaluation .................................................................................................... 17

3

INTRODUCTION

In accordance with Article 16 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1035/97 of 2 June
19971 establishing a European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia, the
Commission hereby presents a progress report on the Centre’s activities.

The Director took up her post in July 1998 and spent the first few months setting up
the Centre’s administration. As a result of difficulties in finding suitable premises,
the Centre started working in temporary offices. The staff moved into the offices
which it is currently using on 1 May 1999. Until June 1999 the Centre had three
permanent members of staff. In September 1999 the number of permanent staff was
increased to 10, rising to 21 in August 2000.

The Centre is still in the early stages of implementing its programme of activities and
carrying out its tasks. Setting up the European Racism and Xenophobia Information
Network (Raxen), for example, will still require several more months’ work.

The Regulation provided that the Commission would present an evaluation report on
the Centre’s activities during the third year following the Regulation’s entry into
force. The Commission considers that three years is not long enough to be able to
carry out a comprehensive evaluation of the Centre’s activities and that
these
activities should therefore be assessed over a longer period of time in order to
evaluate them properly.

This report will therefore only be an interim report, presenting activities which the
Centre has carried out to date, but without a proper evaluation of these activities. The
Commission intends to base its evaluation report, which will include proposals to
modify or extend the Centre’s tasks if appropriate, on an evaluation carried out by
external assessors which should start before the end of 2000 (see point 4).

1

OJ L 151, 10.6.1997. Article 16 provides that: “During the third year following the entry into force of
this Regulation, the Commission shall forward to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic
and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions a progress report on the Centre's activities,
together with proposals, if appropriate, to modify or extend its tasks, taking into account, in particular,
the development of Community powers in the field of racism and xenophobia”.

4

1.

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CENTRE

1.1.

The Consultative Commission on Racism and Xenophobia

The transnationalism of racist propaganda and incitement to racial hatred made it
apparent that action at European level was necessary2. There was thus an urgent need
to have a better understanding at European level of the nature and extent of racism
and xenophobia, so that the European Union could adopt concrete solutions and
contribute to combating these problems as part of a global strategy.

In June 1994, the Corfu European Council proposed that a Consultative Commission
on Racism and Xenophobia (CCRX) be created within the Council. In June 1995, the
Cannes European Council called on the Consultative Commission to study,
in
cooperation with the Council of Europe, the feasibility of a European Monitoring
Centre on Racism and Xenophobia. The CCRX concluded that only a European
Monitoring Centre would be in a position to closely monitor trends in racism and
xenophobia in the Union and to alert
the political world to these trends and
encourage them to take concrete measures.

In the light of these conclusions, in June 1996 the Florence European Council
approved the principle of establishing a European Monitoring Centre. The
Commission presented a proposal for such a Centre in November 19963.

On 2 June 1997, the Council adopted Regulation (EC) No 1035/97 establishing the
Centre. The Centre is based in Vienna4.

1.2.

Legal framework

1.2.1. Objectives and tasks

The main objective, as specified in Article 2(1) of the Regulation, is to provide the
European Union and its Member States with objective, reliable and comparable data
at European level on the phenomena of racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism.

The Centre must collect, record and analyse information and data, carry out research
and studies, develop methods for making data at Community level more objective,
reliable and comparable, and implement and coordinate a European Racism and
Xenophobia Information Network (Raxen).

2

3

4

The European Institutions have addressed this issue notably since the Interinstitutional Declaration
Against Racism and Xenophobia in June 1986 (OJ C 158 of 25 June 1986). This process has intensified
over the last decade and the fight against racism has occupied an ever more important place in the
programme of the European Institutions, through numerous resolutions of the European Parliament, as
well as the Commission Communication on racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism (COM(95) 653 final
of 13 December 1995) and the European Year Against Racism in 1997. See also: “The European
Institutions in the Fight Against Racism: Selected Texts”.
COM (96) 615 final of 27.11.1996 and COM (97) 201 final of 14.5.1997.
Decision of the representatives of the Governments of the Member States of 2 June 1997 determining
the seat of the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia (OJ C 194, 25.6.1997, p.4).

5

It can formulate conclusions and opinions addressed to the Community and its
Member States and it publishes an annual report on the situation regarding racism
and xenophobia in the Community, as well as on its own activities.

1.2.2. Working methods and areas of activity

The information and data to be collected and processed, and the scientific research
and studies to be conducted or encouraged are concerned with the extent,
development, causes and effects of the phenomena of racism and xenophobia,
particularly in the following fields: free movement of people; information and the
media; education, vocational training and youth; social policy; free movement of
goods; and culture.

1.2.3. Cooperation with other organisations

The Centre is required to cooperate with national or international, governmental or
non-governmental organisations, which are competent in the field of racism and
xenophobia.

Article 7(3) of the Regulation specifically calls for the Centre to coordinate its
activities with those of the Council of Europe (see 3.4.1).

1.2.4. Management Board and Executive Board

The Management Board (MB) is composed of independent people who are experts
in the field of human rights and the analysis of racist, xenophobic and anti-Semitic
phenomena and who are appointed by the Member States, the European Parliament
and the Council of Europe, as well as a representative of the Commission. Their term
of office is three years, which is renewable once. Each member has a deputy
appointed on a similar basis5.

The Management Board, which meets at least twice a year, takes the decisions
necessary for the operation of the Centre. It appoints the Director, and adopts the
Centre’s annual report, its conclusions and opinions.

The first meeting of the Management Board was held in Vienna on 20 and 21
January 1998, after the Commission had been notified of the names of the members
and their deputies. At that meeting, organised by the Commission in cooperation
with the Austrian authorities, the MB elected the Chair, Mr Jean Kahn, the Vice
Chair, Mr Robert Purkiss, and the other member of the Executive Board, Prof. Anton
Pelinka6.

The Executive Board7 supervises the work of the Centre, monitors the preparation
and execution of programmes and prepares the meetings of the Management Board.
It also performs any task entrusted to it by the Management Board.

5

6

7

The list of the members of the Management Board is attached as Annex 1.
Following the resignation of Prof. Pelinka at the beginning of June 2000, the Executive Board will
continue to be composed of four members until the Management Board's term of office expires in
January 2001.
Composed of the Chair of the Management Board, the Vice-Chair and three other members of the MB,
including the person appointed by the Council of Europe and the Commission representative.

6

1.2.5. Director and staff

The Director, appointed for a period of four years, which is renewable, is the
Centre’s legal representative and is specifically responsible for preparing and
implementing the Centre’s tasks and its annual programme of activities; preparing
the Centre’s annual report, its conclusions and opinions, and MB meetings; and
dealing with budgetary matters and any matters relating to staff and day-to-day
administration.

The staff of the Centre are subject
officials and other servants of the European Communities.

to the Regulations and Rules applicable to

7

2.

RESOURCES AND STRUCTURE

2.1.

Staff

2.1.1.

Appointment of the Director

The procedure for appointing the Director was launched at the first meeting of the
the
MB in January 1998. In accordance with Article 10(1) of the Regulation,
Commission presented its proposal to the Management Board, following a selection
procedure agreed with the Executive Board.

At its second meeting, held in Brussels on 28 and 29 May 1998, the MB appointed
Ms Beate Winkler as Director of the Centre. Ms Winkler took up her post on 16 July
1998.

2.1.2.

Staff

During 1999, the number of staff increased from three permanent members of staff
(until June) to 14 permanent people (in December), rising to 21 people in August
2000, plus another 2 people on auxiliary contracts and an expert responsible for
internal evaluation.8

The first recruitment procedure was launched in December 1998 for eight posts (2A,
2B, 3C and 1D), the second procedure in April 1999 for five other posts (3A and
2B). The posts of heads of unit for Networks (Raxen) and Information had to be
readvertised in August 1999, with recruitment taking place in spring 2000. In March
2000, a fourth recruitment procedure for eight more posts (3A, 4B, 1C) was
advertised.

2.2.

Budget

The Management Board adopts the annual draft and final budgets for the Centre, as
well as the annual programme of activities based on the budget and resources
available.

The Centre’s revenue includes a subsidy from the Community, entered under a
specific heading in the general budget of the European Communities (currently B5-
809). It also includes payments received for services rendered, any financial
contributions from organisations which the Centre works with and any voluntary
contributions from the Member States.

For 1998, the Centre had a budget of 2 MEUR. Given that the Centre only effectively
started operating in the second half of the year, a very limited amount of the budget
was used, mainly due to the lack of rent, staff and equipment to pay for.

In 1999, the budget was 3.75 MEUR, i.e. an increase of 87% compared to 1998,
which was in line with the pace of setting up the Centre. The contribution from the
Austrian State was 0.23 MEUR.

8

The Centre's present organisation chart is shown in Annex 2.

8

The budget for 2000 is 4.75 MEUR of Community subsidy, i.e. an increase of 27%
compared to the previous year. The contribution from the host authorities is 0.15
MEUR.

Appropriations authorised: in MEUR

1998 BUDGET

1999 BUDGET

2000 BUDGET

EC subsidy

Other

Total

2.000

0.004

2.004

3.750

0.230

3.980

4.750

0.150

4.900

expenditure

and
The Centre’s
infrastructure expenses, operating costs and expenditure relating to contracts
concluded with institutions or bodies party to Raxen and with third parties.

administrative

remuneration,

includes

staff

Expenditure: in MEUR

1998 BUDGET

1999 BUDGET

2000 BUDGET
(ESTIMATE)

Staff

Operating costs

0.332

0.075

Operational expenditure

0.140

Total expenditure

0.547

1.213

0.959

0.788

2.960

2.080

1.130

1.690

4.900

Monitoring the commitment and payment of all the Centre’s expenditure and the
establishment and recovery of all its revenue is carried out by the Commission’s
Financial Controller.

The Director implements the Centre’s budget. The Management Board gives a
discharge to the Director in respect of implementing the budget.9

It was decided to establish an internal Advisory Committee on Procurement and
Contracts (ACPC), which has to be confirmed by the MB.

9

In October 1997, the Commission presented a proposal for the amendment of the basic regulations of
nine “decentralised” Community agencies, including the Vienna Monitoring Centre [COM (97) 489
final – OJ C 335 of 6.11.1997] relating in particular to budgetary procedures. In terms of the Centre in
particular, the Commission proposal aims to give the European Parliament, on recommendation of the
MB, the power to give a discharge to the Director in respect of the implementation of the budget.
In April 1998, the Commission presented an amended proposal [COM(98) 289 final – OJ C 194 of
20.6.1998], which includes amendments put forward by the Parliament. The proposal is currently before
the Council for final adoption.

9

The Court of Auditors carried out audit visits in Vienna – the first one in December
1998, a second in March 1999 to check the accounts for the year ending 31
December 199810, a third in September 1999 and the last one in May 2000 to check
the accounts for the year ending 31 December 1999.

The Commission has also carefully monitored all the issues relating to setting up the
Centre’s administration. In this context, an audit mission was carried out from 20 to
22 March 2000. It established that, in view of the difficult circumstances in which
the Centre was set up, improvements in the management of the Centre were possible.
The conclusions of the mission were forwarded to the Centre. The report by the
external assessors should report that these changes have been implemented.

2.3.

Premises

2.3.1.

Selecting a building

At its first meeting, in January 1998, the MB mandated the Executive Board to make
the necessary arrangements for choosing premises for the Centre. The Austrian
authorities organised an initial visit to various buildings in February 1998, with a
the Commission’s Adviser-Architect and a
member of the Executive Board,
representative from DG V. As a result of difficulties relating to the property market
in Vienna, the Executive Board decided in March 1998 to recommend to the MB that
the Austrian authorities should provide temporary offices so that the Centre could
choose an appropriate building.

In July 1998, the Director was therefore able to move into four offices which the
Austrian Chancellery had made available.

2.2.2.

Security issues

The Centre’s staff moved into permanent offices in May 1999. In setting up its
offices, the Centre paid particular attention to security issues, both with regard to the
premises and to its staff.

2.3.3.

Inauguration

The official opening of the Centre took place on 7 April 2000 in Vienna. The
opening ceremony took place in the presence of some 550 people, with contributions
by Jean Kahn, Chair of the Centre; Thomas Klestil, President of Austria; Romano
Prodi, President of the European Commission; Nicole Fontaine, President of the
European Parliament; and Maria de Belén Roseira, Portuguese Minister for Equal
Opportunities, representing the Portuguese Presidency of the Union.

The ceremony was followed by a conference, “the Vienna Forum”, on 7 and 8 April,
which tackled the issue of ‘politics and racism’ from different points of view: the
study of racist language in politics and the media; the role of identity in racist
divisions within society; the ineffectiveness of a moralistic approach to combating

10

Report on the financial statements of the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia
(Vienna) for the period from 1 May – 31 December 1998, together with the Centre’s replies [OJ C 372
of 22.12.1999].

10

racism; legislative proposals based on Article 13; international law; and the role of
non-governmental organisations.

2.4.

Headquarters agreement

The headquarters agreement between the Centre and the Austrian authorities
concerning, inter alia, the application of the Protocol on privileges and immunities
and tax and security measures, was officially signed on 18 May 2000.

11

3.

PROGRAMME OF ACTIVITIES AND IMPLEMENTATION

The Centre carries out its tasks within the competencies of the Communities and in
the light of the objectives adopted in its annual programme, and with due regard to
the available budgetary resources.

The Management Board adopts the annual programme.

3.1.

Raxen

The creation of the European Racism and Xenophobia Information Network (Raxen)
is one of the Centre’s main tasks. The network will consist of the Centre's own
central unit, which will cooperate with research centres, non-governmental
organisations and specialist centres.

On 1 April 1998, whilst awaiting the appointment of the Centre’s Director and in
order to set up the network as quickly as possible, the Commission requested the
Member States to forward a list of centres and organisations which were likely to
take part in Raxen. The list was completed at the end of November 1998.

The Management Board invites the relevant organisations in this field to take part in
the network, taking this list into account. Nevertheless, before taking a decision on
this subject, it was decided that it would be necessary to have a preparation phase in
order to deal with a number of issues which were still unresolved. These issues
concerned participation in the network, the number of nominations per country, the
balance between different
importance of
types of organisation,
comparability criteria.

structure,

The Centre therefore carried out a feasibility study on these issues. The study
recommended that Raxen be structured as a network with several levels and with a
joint database entrusted to the Centre.

An external consultant was employed to carry out the first phase of setting up the
network11.

At its meeting on 4 February 2000, the MB adopted the guidelines for the network on
the basis of the consultant's report. The RAXEN network will be an instrument for
collecting and collating data and statistics from the national level to a central unit,
and on this basis will develop a database for conducting research at European level,
disseminating information and implementing a transfer of knowledge.

The network will be set up in three phases. The first phase will consist of proposing a
structure for the network for collecting data: a system for collecting national data
coordinated by “National Focus Points” (NFP), which could consist of several

11

Preparatory meetings also took place. The first one, in June 1999, was with the national research centres
and representatives from NGOs and led to the creation of a Consultative Group responsible for
examining practical measures to take in order to set up the network. A second meeting, in September
1999, was with the social partners and representatives from independent national bodies responsible for
promoting the fight against discrimination. A third consultation meeting between all the partners was
held in October. The Consultative Group met twice, in September and October 1999.

12

national players, selected by open calls for tender. The selection of candidates should
be completed by autumn 2000. The NFPs are expected to be fully operational by end
2000 – beginning 2001.

The two other phases will consist of establishing guidelines for the data to be
collected, and in particular developing joint criteria for improving the comparability
of data, and defining technical specifications for transmitting data between the
different levels of the network.

3.2.

Annual report

The 1998 annual report was presented in Brussels in December 1999. It is in two
(“Looking reality in the face” – the situation regarding racism and
parts:
xenophobia in the European Community) concerning evidence of racism and
xenophobia in the Community, gives an overview of the activities and measures
taken to combat these phenomena in the Member States and at European level. For
this part of the report, the Centre employed an external expert to coordinate the
materials which had been collected and to outline the different contexts –
sociological, political and economic – in the Member States.

The second part (“Giving Europe a soul” – annual report of activities in 1998) –
gives information on the Centre and its work during the year.

At the beginning of September 2000, the annual report for 1999 is in the process of
being finalised.

3.3.

Round Tables

The Centre should facilitate and encourage the regular holding of Round Tables with
the participation of social partners,
research centres and representatives of
responsible public authorities and experts. The aim is to promote the exchange of
knowledge and experience between the different players and to ensure a
multidisciplinary approach.

National Round Tables should meet at least once a year. By the end of 1999, Round
Tables had been organised in nine Member States: the United Kingdom (October
1998 and November 1999); Ireland (November 1998 and November 1999); Austria
(November 1998); Sweden, Portugal,
Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands
(summer 1999); and Greece (November 1999).

The Centre will have to examine and summarise the results of the Round Tables in
order to draw up a provisional report on the different national approaches and to
make a recommendation on how to proceed at European level in a coordinated
manner.

In this respect, the Centre decided to prepare a document on a ‘harmonised profile’
of the Round Tables, which could define the joint objectives and areas of
competence, indicate comparability criteria and a joint methodology for organisation,
and carry out an analysis of European perspectives.

This was one of the subjects discussed at the first European Round Table, which was
held on 30 June 2000 in Vienna.

13

3.4.

Cooperation with other organisations

3.4.1. Council of Europe

In accordance with Article 7(3) of the Regulation, the Community has entered into
an agreement, on behalf of the Centre, with the Council of Europe for the purpose of
establishing close cooperation between these two organisations, an agreement which
was officially signed on 10 February 1999.12

The agreement provides for regular contact between the Director of the Centre and
the Secretariat of the Council of Europe's European Commission Against Racism and
Intolerance (ECRI). The Centre and ECRI will ensure that non-confidential
information and data collected in the course of their activities are mutually
exchanged and that the results of their respective work are disseminated as widely as
possible. They will consult with each other in order to coordinate their activities and
to make their work programmes complementary. They can carry out joint and/or
complementary activities on subjects of common interest.

Following the agreement, two joint meetings of the two Executive Boards were
organised, the first on 3 June 1999 in Paris. Since then, the two Executive Boards
have met on an annual basis. A second meeting was held on 31 May 2000 in Vienna.
A meeting between the Management of the Centre and ECRI’s Secretariat was held
in September 1999 in order to review the different aspects of this cooperation.

After the joint initiatives in 1999: the three Round Tables which took place in the
United Kingdom, Ireland and Greece. Greece, the Centre and ECRI have decided to
present a common chapter in the respective work programmes and to examine
specific procedures for implementing certain joint projects.

3.4.2. United Nations World Conference

Under the aegis of the United Nations, a “World Conference against Racism, Racial
Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance” will take place in September
2001 in South Africa. The aims of this Conference are to take stock of progress
achieved in the fight against racism throughout the world, to examine how existing
rules can be applied more effectively and the instruments available to combat racism
used, and to formulate concrete recommendations for new measures at national,
regional and international level to fight all forms of racism.

This conference is being preceded by five regional preparatory conferences. The
Council of Europe has been given the responsibility of coordinating the contribution
from the European region to the world conference. To this end, it is organising a
European regional conference from 11 – 13 October 2000 in Strasbourg.

The Centre is involved with the work of the technical working group which was set
the Commission and the
up along with the European Parliament, the Council,
networks of antiracist organisations (ENAR and UNITED) to prepare this regional
conference. The Centre has submitted basic documents as a contribution to the work
of the conference and will chair one of the working groups in the European regional
conference.

12

Council Decision of 21 December 1998 [OJ L 44 of 18 February 1999].

14

The Centre also took part in the first meeting of the World Conference Preparatory
Committee, held in Geneva from 1 – 5 May 2000.

3.5.

Information work and the role of the media

3.5.1. Cologne Conference

A conference was organised in Cologne (20/21 May 1999) on the role of the media
in promoting cultural diversity by the German television channel Westdeutscher
Rundfunk (WDR) in collaboration with the Centre and with the support of the
European Media Institute (EMI) in Düsseldorf and the European Broadcasting Union
(EBU) in Geneva. The conference focussed on themes such as the responsibility of
the media in the face of discrimination and intolerance.

Recommendations which came out of the Conference included in particular:
developing guidelines to explain cultural diversity, both in the organisation of
broadcasting companies and in producing programmes; developing new forms of
cooperation such as creating networks and databases for journalists and producers;
creating training and continuing education programmes. Particular attention was paid
these
to
recommendations.

system for monitoring

implementation

establishing

the

of

a

The conference proceedings were published in October 1999.

3.5.2. Documentation/Information

A documentation centre will be set up which will be open to the public (Article
2(2)(d) of the Regulation).

The Centre must set up archives of European documentation on racism and
xenophobia which will be open to the public, institutions and organisations.

The European documentation archive on racism and xenophobia will store
documents that are not available elsewhere and will initially be a database, available
on-line, with a built-in linkage system to other archives, libraries and databases.

The Centre has also created a website13 which provides a certain amount of
information, brochures and its information bulletin “Equal Voices”, which first
appeared in September 1999. The aim of the EUMC website is to create, in several
stages, a unique site for reliable and up-to-date information on racism, xenophobia,
anti-Semitism and the fight against discrimination.

The Centre has also produced a number of brochures, leaflets and press releases on
its activities and on the situation regarding racism in the Member States of the
European Union, including: the Appeal for Common Action of 7 December 1998:
“Equality and Diversity for Europe”; a comparative analysis of two Eurobarometer
surveys from 1989 and 1997: “Xenophobia and Racism in Europe - In the light of
public opinion 1989-1997”; and the working document: “Challenging the media – for
equality and diversity against racism”.

13

www.eumc.at

15

3.6.

Other action

3.6.1. Charter of European political parties

The responsibility of politicians to deal with the problems of minorities in a
responsible way and to ensure the fair representation of minority groups in the ranks
of political parties is essential. The Centre is working on monitoring and
strengthening the Charter of European political parties for a non-racist society, which
was presented at the Utrecht Conference in February 1998.

The Charter will be supported by several of the Centre’s initiatives: Round Tables,
work with the media and conferences.

3.6.2.

Studies

The Centre has commissioned the Migration Policy Group (MPG) to prepare 15
national reports on national legislative measures to combat racism, anti-Semitism and
xenophobia in the 15 Member States, as well as a summary report comparing the
“Starting Line proposal” with national laws in force, their application and examples
of good practice. The project began in June 1999.

3.6.3.

Ad hoc working groups

The Centre can set up ad hoc working groups. At present, two groups have been set
up within the Management Board and have started their work.

An “Article 13” group, which the Commission consulted regarding the “anti-
discrimination package”, and in particular aspects concerning discrimination on the
basis of race and ethnic origin (meetings held in June 1999, January 2000 and April
2000).

A “key issues” working group, which met in August 1999 and which is responsible
for identifying key issues with regards to racism and xenophobia in the future.

16

4.

EXTERNAL EVALUATION

In view of the short period of time that the Centre has been fully operational, the
Commission is presenting an interim report on the Centre’s activities. An evaluation
of these activities will be carried out in 2001. In order to do this, an evaluation will
be started by external assessors before the end of 2000.

The aim of this external evaluation is to provide an independent evaluation on the
efficiency of the Centre in relation to the terms set out in the Council Regulation
(EC), and the efficiency of the resources (human and financial) used to attain these
objectives.

The evaluation should provide an assessment of the organisational structure and
operations of the Centre, including the extent to which it has met its objectives; the
effectiveness of logistic, administrative and management methods; progress in
setting up and managing the information network RAXEN; quality and relevance of
the activities of the Centre, as well as its products (publications etc.); follow-up of
activities. It should also establish the extent to which user needs have been identified
and met and highlight user satisfaction with the information products and services
developed so far, and feedback from target groups.

17

THE MONITORING CENTRE’S MANAGEMENT BOARD

ANNEX 1

Belgium:

Denmark:

Germany:

Greece:

Spain:

France:

Ireland:

Italy:

Luxembourg:

Netherlands:

Austria:

Portugal:

Finland:

Sweden:

Mr Johan Leman / Mr Jean Cornil*

Mr Ole Espersen / Mr Morten Kjaerum*

Mrs Uta Würfel / Mrs Barbara John*

Mr Petros Stangos / Mr Perikles Pangalos*

Juan

Mr
Mr Joaquin Alvarez de Toledo*

Dios

de

Ramirez-Heredia

/

Mr Jean Kahn / Mrs Martine Valdes-Boulouque*

Mr Mervyn Taylor / Mrs Mary Flaherty*

Mr Francesco Margiotta Broglio / Mr Diego Ungaro*

Mr Nic Klecker / Mr Edouard Wolter*

Mr Ed van Thijn / Mr Paul B. Cliteur*

Mr Stefan Karner1

Mr Pedro Bacelar de Vasconcelos /Mr Esmeraldo de
Azevedo*

Mrs Kaarina Suonio / Mr Tom Sandlund*

Mrs Helene Lööw / Mrs Agneta Lindelöf*2

United Kingdom:

Mr Robert Purkiss / Mr David Weaver*

European Parliament:

Mr William Duncan / Mr Jürgen Micksch*

Council of Europe:

Mr Joseph Voyame / Mr Jenö Kaltenbach

European Commission:

Mrs Odile Quintin / Mr Adam Tyson*

Chairman of the Management Board Mr Jean Kahn

Vice-Chairman:

Mr Robert Purkiss

* deputy members

1

2

Following the resignation of Professor Pelinka at the beginning of June 2000, the Austrian authorities
appointed his deputy, Professor Karner, as full member. No deputy member has been appointed.
Mrs Lööw and Mrs Lindelöf were appointed by the Swedish authorities following the resignation of Mr
Bruchfeld and Mrs Berggren.

18

ANNEX 2

European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia
Organisation Chart 01.09.2000

Director

- Secretariat
- Secretariat

- Evaluation Expert

Administration
- Head of Department

Research and Networks
- Head of Department

Information - Communication
- Headof Department

- Secretariat

- Secretariat

- Secretariat

A. Resources and Co-ordination
- Legal Affairs
- Administrative Financial Assistant
- Informatic - Equipment
- Mail/Material Resources
- Auxiliary Secretary

B. Accounting
- Accountant

A. Research
- Sociologist/Researcher
- RoundTable Research Studies
- Documentation
- Auxiliary Secretary

B. Raxen
- Raxen Network

A. Public Relations
- Information Officer, Reports
- Priorities, Web andMedia
- AssistanceInformation

19