Article 13 of the Treaty establishing the European Community confers powers on the Community to take appropriate action to combat discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation.

Pursuant to the Communication from the Commission entitled ‘Non-discrimination and equal opportunities for all’1 adopted on 1 June 2005, which highlights the need for the European Union to develop a coherent and effective approach to the social integration of ethnic minorities and their full participation in the labour market, the Commission wishes to draw on the expertise of specialists meeting in an advisory group.

The group should contribute to developing a coherent and effective approach to the social integration of disadvantaged ethnic minorities and their full participation in the labour market.

The group should comprise experts from civil society, the world of research, business, the national and local authorities, as well as ethnic minorities and other stakeholders. It should be balanced, particularly in terms of geographical origin, gender, ethnic origin, and area of activity and expertise,