Where to direct resources, how to remain relevant and achieve real impact were among the central topics at the meeting of heads of independent equality bodies, members of the EQUINET network, held in Vienna, in which Commissioner Milan Antonijević took part.

The development of EQUINET’s new strategy comes at a very important moment and can provide valuable guidance and support to national institutions undergoing similar processes, Antonijević said. He emphasized that, in light of increasingly complex social relations and new forms of discrimination, creating a strategy is not merely about setting priorities, but above all about making choices that can make a significant difference.

Given that the institution of the Commissioner is also currently working on developing its own strategy, this process itself is an opportunity to reflect on our role within the broader system for the protection of equality, Antonijević noted. As the three most important areas, the Commissioner highlighted: trust and visibility, as the institution must remain close to citizens, particularly those at greater risk of discrimination; strengthening the role of the institution in shaping public policies and addressing the causes of inequality; and preserving independence, while maintaining cooperation and constructive dialogue with all state institutions, civil society organizations, and stakeholders.