Through a round
of three training sessions, the project partners (aditus foundation, European
Network against Racism, European Network on Religion & Belief) provide participants
an overview of Maltese and European equality legislation, advocacy training as
well as reporting cases of discrimination to the Equality Body.
The first
training session focuses on Maltese equality legislation, mainly the two
Equality Bills (which are currently before Parliament). Once adopted, the
Equality Bill will serve as the general equality law in Malta while the Human
Rights & Equality Commission Bill will set up the Human Rights &
Equality Commission, replacing the existing National Commission for the
Promotion of Equality. The Commission will have wider functions and power to promote
equality and combat discrimination.
During the second
training session, participants are provided information on European Union law,
namely the Racial Equality Directive and the Framework Employment Directive. Both
EU Directives lay down a framework for combatting discrimination with a view to
putting into effect, in EU Member States, the principle of equal treatment. Participants
also hold discussions on key concepts, namely racism, structural racism,
institutional racism and intersectionality.
The third
training session focuses on advocacy training, which is a strategic process to
influence the policies, practices and attitudes that affect people’s lives.
Advocacy includes, amongst others, research, reports, lobbying, seminars and
conferences, engaging with the media, networking, policymaking and litigation. During
this session, participants become acquainted with the role of communities and
organisations in litigation or complaints to Equality Bodies.
The first and
second round of training sessions were held in April and September 2021. The
third round of training sessions will be held virtually in February 2022.