Affirmative Action Around the World
| Affirmative Action Project Home | Affirmative Action Around the World |
| Australia | Brazil | Canada |
| European Union | India | South Africa |
Many countries around the world use affirmative measures to address problems of discrimination and inequality. For example, the Indian Constitution explicitly provides for affirmative action programs aimed to provide equality to oppressed castes, and the South African Constitution also endorses affirmative action. In 2000 the European Union adopted two directives, the “Racial Equality Directive” and the “Employment Equality Directive,” which provide for positive action measures. International treaties also embrace affirmative measures. Both the International Covenant for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the International Covenant for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women mention and provide for affirmative measures. The United States is one country among many that employ affirmative action programs in response to problems of discrimination and inequality.
Terminology
There is no consensus regarding the term "affirmative action," which is most commonly used in the United States. The policy has been described in various terms over the years; some of these terms include positive discrimination, positive action, protective discrimination, and multiculturalism. As the terminology varies by region, so differs also the definition, meaning and legal justification of this concept.
Information and Resources on Affirmative Action Around the World
Affirmative Action: A Global Perspective—Global Rights—2005
Kennedy-Dubourdieu, E. (Ed.) (2006). Race and Inequality: World Perspectives on Affirmative Action. Burlington, Vermont: Ashgate Publishing.
Employment-Equity Sites—workinfo.com
