Equality in Action:​ Advancing Social Justice through Data  

When?  27.09.2024, 09:30 – 16:30 

Where?  Museum für Kommunikation, Berlin 

Throughout Europe, a variety of institutions and national governments have demonstrated their commitment to documenting and assessing racial and intersectional inequalities through the implementation of racism monitoring initiatives.  

The conference “Equality in Action:​ Advancing Social Justice through Data” addressed the question of the extent to which empirical data can contribute to greater social justice in the context of surveys and monitoring.  

In her opening remarks, Dr Noa K. Ha addressed the political relevance and genesis of racism monitoring in Germany and Europe, as well as the pitfalls and potential of data collection on racism. Her remarks shed light on the epistemological, methodological and ethical principles that guide the research behind racism monitoring. 

The first panel, titled “Monitoring Racism in Europe”, began with a presentation by Dr Cihan Sinanoğlu, who outlined the genesis, development and multi-method research design of NaDiRa, the most comprehensive monitoring of racism and discrimination in Europe to date. This was followed by a presentation on the Afrozensus in Germany and an account of data collection projects in other European countries, mapping the current state of racism monitoring in Spain, France, the UK, Switzerland and at EU level. The panel outlined the methodologies, findings and impacts, as well as the institutional frameworks and structural challenges of the various national monitoring projects. It highlighted key differences and similarities between national monitoring approaches, including inconsistent data collection standards, varying levels of political commitment within and between countries, and different socio-historical regional contexts.   

The panel concluded with a joint discussion in which it was emphasized that research on racism in Europe needs to be firmly rooted in the experiences of affected communities to ensure that the right questions are asked, and that real impact is achieved. Data security and data ownership were emphasized, as was the need to build long-term trust and mutual confidence between academia and affected communities, and to secure sufficient funding to support research. It was noted that the guiding principle should be "empowerment first, explanation second". While a mixed methods approach to data collection is essential, the focus should be on collecting data that leads to tangible, positive change for communities. To thoroughly investigate racism and bring about meaningful change, all levels of society - from communities and citizens to law enforcement, government and elites - must be addressed and engaged. 

The following round table discussion with international public officials and NGO representatives titled “Does Equality Data Support Taking Actions to Combat Racism?” focused on strategies for mobilizing public authorities to take decisive action against racism and discrimination. Key issues included the importance of legislative frameworks, sustained funding, the role of the EU and civil society actors, and methods to ensure effective implementation of anti-racist measures.  

The final discussion highlighted the importance of a human rights approach to data collection, ensuring that it protects rather than harms those it is intended to serve. Avoiding the misuse of collected data is paramount. The discussion focused on the need for strategic data to drive real change, shape policy and give visibility to racially marginalised communities. The EU currently lacks comprehensive and comparable data on experiences of discrimination and detailed information on population composition, often relying on proxies. This results in fragmented and competing data sets, highlighting the need for harmonisation. An intersectional approach is crucial as it provides the most relevant evidence. While data is essential for policy and decision-making, it is not enough on its own, the panelists from the European Commission's Anti-Racism Team, the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) and Human Rights Watch agreed. Ultimately, data should not only capture experiences, but also inspire change and support informed decision-making. 

In his concluding remarks, Dr Cihan Sinanoğlu emphasised the key role that the German National Monitoring of Discrimination and Racism (NaDiRa) will play in promoting the continuous exchange of best practices on racism monitoring at the European level.