OBSERVATORY ON COMBATING DISCRIMINATION

The Observatory on Combating Discrimination is part of the structure of the National Centre for Social Research (EKKE), which operates focusing in the preparation of surveys and studies on national and local level, enlargement and promotion of networking among executives bodies, structures , support services for discriminated groups, with emphasis on employment and the dissemination of information regarding the good anti-discrimination practices and organization of scientific events aimed at improving and increasing the discrimination advice and information. In the context of the Observatory systematically combine the techno-economic, scientific, research, informational and administrative activity with organized cooperation and partnership at national and international level. The Observatory as an institution emerged from E.U.in order to recognize the importance of cooperation in the fight against discrimination, the added value of information from other countries’ experiences and the importance of collecting objective and reliable information through the use of new technologies and conducting social surveys. By the institution of observatories that promotes the Community, including our country, confirms that the policies and practices introduced in combating discrimination is the most appropriate.   


Aims of the Observatory for Combating Discrimination

  • develops, monitors and supports the evaluation of public policies against discrimination in Greece
  • ensures the production of comparable data on what is happening in Greece and other EU countries to fight against discrimination and the promotion of equality
  • strengthens the exchange of experience and good practice which could be applied in our country
  • encourages the dissemination of information on national and European policies as well as for anti-discrimination legislation
  • utilizes the results of social dialogue and promotes the involvement of social and productive actors in the fight against discrimination
  • develops conditions better enforcement adopted by Directives 2000/43 / EK and 2000/78 / EK (Law 3304/2005).


Inputs, specific objectives and actions of the Observatory:

  1. Collecting, recording and processing of statistical data concerning discrimination based on racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age and sexual orientation.
  2. Participation in specialized national and European networks.
  3. Undertaking support actions in the public dialogue, awareness and human resources training in discrimination issues.
  4. Editors periodic / annual reports on “Combating Discrimination in Greece and in the EU”
  5. Issue of annual newsletter version in which occurs the assessment, presentation and analysis of individual indicators, the presentation of research results on combating discrimination and Disclosure and discussion of changes in the legal and organizational framework of the fight against discrimination.
  6. Site operation to promote the process of social dialogue, awareness of the population and the provision of general information
  7. Design and scientific investigations division for combating discrimination and presentation of the results.


The observatory is staffed by researcher of the National Centre for Social Research and external co-workers, based on the needs of the research projects. George Papadoudis is the Observatory’s Coordinator. George Papadoudis is a researcher at the National Centre for Social Research. Funding source The Observatory is financed by the European Union under the PROGRESS – project for Work and Social Solidarity Programme (2007-2013). The PROGRESS program is a financing tool for the preparation and coordination of EU policies in the fields of Employment, Social Inclusion and Social Protection, Working Conditions, the Anti-Discrimination and Gender Equality. For more information: http://ec.europa.eu/progress