Equality of opportunity

The ideal that every individual has the right to an equal chance, particularly in areas such as employment and education.

"The general principle of equal opportunities contains two key elements: one is the ban on discrimination on grounds of nationality, and the other is equality for men and women. It is intended to apply to all fields, particularly economic, social, cultural and family life."
(Europa, Equal opportunities, Glossary, visited 2011-02-22)