First European Conference on Multidimensional Equality Law

The `Jean Monnet Chair of European Economic Law` is pleased to announce the above mentioned conference for 11 and 12 May 2007. We are convinced that multidimensionality will be a major conceptual theme for European Equality Law for the years to come. European Equality policy has not yet a clear concept of rationales behind European Equality Law after multiplying the `discrimination grounds`, i.e. the personal ascriptions discrimination for which is prohibited. At the same time, the challenges of achieving substantive equality (as opposed to formal equal treatment) and inclusion (in contrast to avoiding marginalisation) needs to be met. This is especially difficult if addressing disadvantage in several dimensions, as the challenge of doing justice to diverging phenomena of intersectionality still needs to be met. For this reason, we endeavour to convene a trans-European group of researchers collaborating on this theme. We consider a critical assessment of these issues beyond the reach of any one discipline. This is the reason why the first of our planned series of conferences focuses on interdisciplinary perspectives.