Commissioner for Protection of Equality Brankica Jankovic participated in the Conference of the high representatives of the European equality institutions “Towards Effective Equality – New Responses to Racism and Intolerance” held in Paris to mark the 25th anniversary of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance of the Council of Europe (ECRI), as well as the 70th anniversary of the Council of Europe. The aim of the conference is to formulate a common strategy and plan activities that will respond to the greatest European challenges in these areas.
The Commissioner presented the annual award established by the Commissioner for Equality last year with aim to create better living conditions for all citizens, to promote and focus on real equality as an example of good practice for an inclusive society at regional and local level in the Republic of Serbia. She said the main goal of the award was to motivate local decision-makers to invest more in accessibility of support services and inclusion of women in social flows, as well as of young people and members of minority groups.
Commissioner Jankovic met with Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatovic to discuss the human rights situation and protection against discrimination in Serbia.
Commissioner Mijatovic organized a separate meeting for the heads of all European equality bodies, discussing the cooperation of these institutions, and exchanged views on whether the development of artificial intelligence was a threat to human rights or a useful tool for their promotion.
Central topics of the Paris conference are mutual cooperation in the field of equality protection, the most effective ways to build an inclusive society, benefits and risks of using new technologies, as well as the future of the idea of equality and combating racism and intolerance.