"Racism and xenophobia are again killing and wounding people in Europe, arousing anxiety and fear. The victims are mainly foreigners from outside or inside Europe, but also national citizens from minority groups", so stated the 1995 Report of the Consultative Commission on racism and xenophobia, the body entrusted by the European Council to look into the issues of racism and xenophobia in its Member States.
The Consultative Commission then went on to examine the feasibility of establishing a mechanism operating at a European level and under Community law to examine racism and make concrete recommendations to tackle it. Underpinning this was a belief that the future of Europe was being determined by its cultural, ethnic and religious diversity. To safeguard this future the European Union would have to address the problems and also highlight ways it was making a positive contribution to encouraging tolerance and understanding. The result was the proposal to establish a European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia.

The necessity to combat these trends throughout Europe
Racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism are trends in parts of Europe. They must therefore be fought throughout Europe. The European Union considers it one of its tasks to develop concrete solutions as part of a comprehensive strategy to combat these trends. In establishing the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia (EUMC) in 1998, the European Union began a process to meet this goal. The EUMC itself was granted the remit to develop a comprehensive strategy to tackle racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism at all levels of European society.

Establishing the EUMC
The European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia, based in Vienna, is an independent body of the European Union, which was established by Council Regulation (EC) 1035/97. The Centre started its activities in July 1998. Recruitment of staff has taken place gradually since the end of 1998 and the Centre now has a staff of 24 people to implement its work programme.
The vision of the EUMC is that all people should be able to experience a Europe in which diversity and equality are respected and seen as the riches and the horizons for the future.

The mission
The EUMC is a thinking, acting and challenging network organisation, working in all sectors of society for equality and diversity, and against racism and xenophobia in the Europe Union - as a network of knowledge, a bridge-builder and a service organisation.

The EUMC's agenda
The primary task of the EUMC is to provide the Community and its Member States with objective, reliable and comparable data at European level on the phenomena of racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism in order to help them when they take measures or formulate courses of action within their respective spheres of competence. The EUMC studies the extent and development of the phenomena and manifestations of racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism, analyses their causes, consequences and effects and highlights examples of good practice in dealing with them.

To achieve its tasks effectively, the EUMC has drawn up an action plan focussing especially on "RAXEN" - the new European Information Network on Racism and Xenophobia. Supported by a special computer-based network and working through a network of focal points in each Member State, the EUMC cooperates with individuals and institutions from academic, social and political fields dealing with the issues of racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism. Information and data, including scientific research results supplied by research institutions, NGO's, EU Member States, EU institutions and international organisations, will be collected, stored and analysed.

The "RAXEN" network will further the exchange of information among all the parties involved. Furthermore, all interested parties will be given access to the latest findings and information on on-going initiatives and projects. The EUMC will cooperate with information providers and establish a system for coordinated use of the databases in order to facilitate comprehensive dissemination of the information they have supplied.

"Round Tables"
The EUMC also initiates and promotes the organisation, at regular periods, of roundtable discussions at the national and European level. "Round Tables" are based on subjects at the core of the work of the EUMC.They involve members of permanent consultative institutions of the EU Member States, representatives of NGOs, social partners, research centres and competent authorities as well as other persons or institutions dealing with issues of racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism. National "Round Tables" are organised in each member state of the EU.

Furthermore the EUMC publish an Annual Report covering
• The extent of racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism in the Community;
• Examples of good practice;
• Documentation of the results of round-table discussions, meetings and events;
• Information on progress of individual projects;
• Activities and development of the Centre.
The EUMC publishes also a quarterly newsletter entitled "Equal Voices", shares information and provides a forum of discussion on developments on racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism in Europe.