We need an EU that looks like Europe Josie Channer 14% of Europe is non-white, yet there are no non-white Commissioners

out of 28. Isnt time we had a European Commission that looks like Europe I recently went to Brussels a two day trip to the European Parliament with the Fabian Womens network. We had some free time to explore the city and I went on the hunt for some Belgium chocolates. While browsing the city, I was reminded of how diverse Europe is with rows of North African style cafs and a range of West African delicacies for sale. However, I was unsettled by the overwhelming scenes of hardship Black people seemed to be facing in the city. The midday sun did not provide any warmth in the bitter cold wind at Midi Station in the centre of Brussels, to the small groups of Black men huddled together around the station and on the street corners. I wondered if high unemployment, poor quality housing and education is a situation experienced by Black people throughout Europe. On the second day of our two day trip, I spoke to someone who has been living in Brussels and has worked for the European Parliament for many years. She told me how the city has a large Congolese community who settled in Belgium after the Belgian Congo gained independence in 1960. She described Brussels as a city divided in two. Black Belgians are living in what we would consider ghettos in the surrounding areas, out of site and mind of those working in the Parliamentary district. I asked one of Labours MEPs for London, Mary Honeyball who sits on Womens Rights and Gender Equality committee why there was not a committee that looked a racial equality. She agreed that racial equality is an issue that Europe needs to put on agenda. Claude Moraes one of the other MEPs for London chairs the European Parliament's All Party Groups (Intergroup) on Anti-Racism but this is different to the statutory committees that the parliament has. That afternoon we also met with the European Womens Lobby who proudly listed their many achievements and campaigns, which included getting more female MEPs, Commissioners and research on womens issues that was now at the heart of European policy. They are currently fighting for a Womens Rights Commissioner. I was inspired by the boldness the European Womens lobby displayed, they are demanding

to be heard and I fully support their demands. However I only needed to walk half a mile to find a Black community that also needed to be heard in the Parliament buildings that tower over the city. Sanchia Alasia one of the Labour MEP candidates for London, is a mentee on the European Political Mentoring Network, the first ever Europe-wide network of this kind, run by the European Womens lobby. The program aims to empower women from a wider range of ethnic backgrounds to get involved in politics across Europe in preparation for the European elections in 2014. Out of the 766 Members of the European Parliament, fewer than 20 are not White, no Black women and only 2 Black men. This is neither reflective, nor representative and this alone justifies the action. Black European citizens have paid a high price for austerity throughout Europe with 50% of young Black men unemployed in the UK, I also fear that Black Europeans will be the last to feel the effects of any economic growth. 14% of Europe is non-white, yet there are no non-white Commissioners out of 28. Isnt it time we had a European Commission that looks like Europe. In May 2015 national governments across the EU will be putting forward their candidates for the Commission. As part of that process Im asking national governments and MEPs to consider the diversity of Europe when making their appointments to the Commission. To join the campaign for a European Commission that looks like the people of Europe: 1. Sign the online Look Like Europe petition: : http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/look-like-europe 2. Like our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/eu.petition