In line with a European Union directive to all member states, the Italian government has created a national office against racial discrimination. The office has a contact centre, with a free phone number, which will begin functioning on 10 Dec and will be open daily from 10.00 20.00. The service will be available in nine languages and will offer immediate help, information and eventual legal support to the victims of racial discrimination.

The new office was launched in a ceremony in Rome in the presence of government ministers and several well-known foreigners who are resident in Italy, journalists, sports personalities, dancers and actors. The mayor of Rome, Walter Veltroni, in a speech in which he welcomed the new office, reminded those present that 55 per cent of all babies born in the capital city in 2003 had at least one foreign parent.

National office against racial discrimination tel. 800 901010