According to the foreword: "Positive action is both a tool and concept which has been developed for long time in the European and International Human Rights Law....The purpose of this guide book is to raise awareness among both communities, those wrongly understand the concept and consequences of positive action and Roma who are not aware that positive action could bring change into their lives.

A parallel objective of the guide book is to encourage Roma to advocate for positive action programs with their national and local authorities. Being more familiar with the concept of positive action they will be able to formulate their advocacy message and recommendations.

The guide book presents definitions of the terms most frequently used or linked to the concept of positive action. In addition it includes a list of legal provisions as well as programs and initiatives promoting positive action for Roma and other minorities in a number of EU [European Union] Members States. The list of bibliography and links to resources on positive action provides a large amount of specialized information as well as can be used to introduce Roma activist to the thinking and the language of the principle and policies of equal treatment and anti-discrimination.

The European Roma Information office believes that this guidebook designed to reflect the current stage of inequality and disadvantage of Roma population in Europe will add value to existing positive action guidebooks. It offers knowledge on a tool without the use of which a compensation for past discrimination and redress disadvantage is not possible."

Contents:

• Foreword
• Introduction
• Equality and Equal Opportunities
• What is Positive Action?
• Soft and Hard Measures of Positive Action
• What is Positive Discrimination?
• What is Affirmative Action?
• What is Positive Duties?
• Positive Action and the EU Equality Legislation
• Data Collection and Positive Action
• Statistics and Positive Action
• Legal Provision and Practices on Positive Action in EU Members States Concerning Roma and Other Minorities
• Action in Education at National Level
• Selected Resources on Positive Action

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English, Romany

Erio website on September 22 2009.