Equality and Diversity

“I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear: knowing what must be done does away with fear” - Rosa Parks

Equality and Diversity is about knowing what needs to be done and translating these into actions. Equality and diversity is also about knowing why it is important to carry out these actions.  It is based on a set of interactions and processes that influence how we relate to each  other.  Creating a greater understanding and evidencing these processes is what we aim to do.

We know that knowledge alone will not solve all the problems of prejudice and discrimination but if we combine that knowledge with appropriate actions and practices we will develop skills and abilities that will not only give us insights into how we can work to eliminate hatred, prejudice and discrimination but will also increase our wellbeing.  This is what we refer to as applied equality.

We have found that the processes are easier to express in actions than express in words.  To enable us to combat inequalities we need to develop and expand our skillset as well as building up a body of knowledge.  This is why we have developed and are working with the ideas of applied equality. 

In this our aim is to inform, educate and provide guidance in equality but also make sure we develop the skills and abilities to use the knowledge gained.

Equality and Diversity in the 21st Century

This is certainly a time of instability and we can see the growing diversity all around us. We need to approach this diversity with an attitude of learning rather than just teaching. Cultural competence shows us we need to be curious and respectful and constantly open to the possibilities of diversity, different views and different pathways. Celebrating diversity is an oft-quoted phrase which holds within it many grand aspirations. For these aspirations of diversity to be met, we must understand how to engage people, win their trust, respect and liking. The changes we aspire to happen inside us, this is why information, guidance and understanding the issues surrounding equality and diversity is vital.

The Equality Act 2010

After much anticipation on 8 April 2010, the Equality Bill received royal assent. This now gives a basis of organisations to build their equality themes on. 

The Equality Act strengthens protection against discrimination by:

• Introducing a new public sector duty to consider reducing social economic inequalities;
  
• Putting a new integrated Equality Duty on public bodies;
  
• Using public procurement to improve equality;
  
• Banning age discrimination outside the workplace;
  
• Requiring gender pay and employment equality publishing;
  
• Extending the scope to use positive action;
  
• Strengthening the powers of employment tribunals;
  
• Protecting carers from discrimination;
  
• Clarifying the protection for breastfeeding mothers;
  
• Banning discrimination in private members’ clubs;
  
• Strengthening protection from discrimination for disabled people; and
  
• Protecting people from dual discrimination – direct discrimination because of a combination of two protected characteristics

The above can be used to leverage applied equality and create better working environments and a better society for all of us.

Equality and diversity is crucial to the effective running of all organisations and your role within this is vital.

We are passionate about working towards integrating equality, diversity inclusion and helping organisations make the social changes required to achieve this. We do this through being a key resource of information, training (including providing accredited equality programmes at levels 2, 3 and 4) and consultancy.  Whilst we are doing this we are constantly evidencing and showing how equality, diversity and human rights has relevance to the organisation.

Applied Equality

As the theories and ideas around equality, inequality, diversity, social equality, prejudice and discrimination grow, Applied Equality is about using these theories and ideas and making them real.  It is about applying the insights gained to our lives in all settings including work.  Applied equality is really important the challenge facing all of us at this time needs the frameworks, models and plans that applied equality generates.

Equality and Diversity is a powerful force if delivered appropriately.  With the correct signals the impact can have dramatic impact on our lives, emotionally and physically.  This impact resonates through all areas of our lives, education, crime, health work and play. This is experienced through the power and force of inequality.  This brings in many of the issues around class or social economic factors.  The Equality Blogand the forum in Network Equality is set to explore these issues further.

Changing mind sets is a vital part of realising equality – our work, information, Equality Resource, Equality Blog, Network Equality and training courses do this by bringing together ideas and theories from many disciplines to challenge and engage with people’s understanding and prejudices whilst also taking into account the impact of current equality based legislation. We know that the diversity message has to penetrate the wall of skepticism and disinterest and influences that make up the clutter of our lives.

In a cluttered world, we need to know we are spending our time learning what is a appropriate. The books available on equality, diversity and human rights are many, see Gallant2000 Equality @ Amazon for recomendations. We need to combine emotional benefits with rational thinking. This way, we will not only acquire skills and knowledge that contributes to our well being, we will also be able to work towards the aspirations that lie behind our mission, purpose and intent.

We need a shift in the way we think and the way we want to see true equality and diversity in all organisations. In order to ensure people understand and commit to equality, standards are vital. It is our mission to create standards that are rigorous and form the basis of service delivery. Applied equality is about making equality real it is about our emotions our feelings our loves and hates.  This is where the Brand of Equality comes in.

It is difficult however sometimes to argue the business case for it as the benefits are complex and multifaceted.  Our network highlights why equality practitioners are professionals and the importance of the role of equality and diversity within an organisation.

Social Equality

Social Equality is about how we see ourselves in the world and is reflected back on us as how the world sees us.  It is about our social economic (socio economic) status and our social status and it is at the basis of many of our decisions and determines our life’s path.  It affects our wellbeing and our dignity.

As we move beyond the first decade of the twenty first century our knowledge and understanding or certain technologies has never been greater.  In particular computing and brain scanning techniques have escalated greatly. This means that we are at the stage where we can gain useful insights into our inner worlds.  This means that we can peer albeit through a mist into our hopes, fears and dreams.  We can begin to build a picture of what the effects are of stress and anxiety, we can begin to get glimpses of happiness and motivation.  Armed with these insights social neuroscience is contributing to Equality, Social Equality and inequality.  The following quote highlights this very well.

We learn best in stimulating environments when we fell sure we can succeed.  When we feel happy or confident our brains benefit from the release of dopamine, the reward chemical, which also helps with memory, attention and problem solving.  We also benefit from serotonin and improves mood and from adrenaline which helps us perform at our best.  When we feel threatened, helpless and stressed our bodies are flooded by the hormone cortisol which inhibits our thinking and memory.  So inequalities in society and in our schools have a direct effect on our brains on our learning and on our educational achievements.

The Spirit Level R.G. Wilkinson and K.Pickett 2009

It is up to us now to be able to apply these insights and this forms part of applied equality and tells us why equality matters.

Equality Matters

Equality matters because it is about how we lead our lives.  Inequality in its many forms is a destructive force.  A measure of this is highlighted by the cost of inequality and the mechanism and biochemical outcomes through social inequality and social neuroscience.
We are all disadvantaged when harassment and bullying comes out of the shadows into our lives.  As inequality grows trust and dignity diminishes.  It is up to us and we have the choice about the society we live in.  If we tolerate prejudice and discrimination and allow hate, bullying and harassment to be common place then we will choose a society where we allow inequalities to flourish.  Equality matters because it benefits all of us.
Diversity
Our history as people starts a long time ago, and so does our diversity.  Diversity is a way of describing our differences.  At various times these difference markers have been visible and no visible.  We can mark out differences by referring to our genes, skin pigments, castes, class, or any other status or characteristic we can use our imagination to form.
Prejudice and discrimination then arise when the treatment or judgements are made based on the difference marker rather than the individual.
Diversity Initiatives are needed to make amends for this unjust judgement or treatment taking place for groups of people.  This takes place in an environment of inequality.

What's On The Site?

On this site you will see a link to Network Equality which is a social network based around understanding and exchanging views on current equality and diversity issues.  There is also a link to the Equality Blog, which explores and expresses views, opinions and provides information on equality, diversity and social issues.

In the Equality Resources, we have a assembled links and other sites for equality information. The Gallant2000 Equality at Amazon page will keep you up to date and informed about equality, diversity and human rights books.

The equality download area contains samples, demos and tools around equality and diversity.  In the “contact and connect” section you can find how to follow the ideas on equality, diversity and human rights on Facebook, Twitter and Network Equality. The about us expands our activities into;

• What we do
• Who we are
• Who we work with

Values, Mission, Purpose and Intent

Our values also hold firm; we are committed to putting back some of what we learn in the work we do.  It is with this in mind that we invite and support disadvantaged people and hard to reach categorised individuals to take part in our project and programmes giving back to the community.

It is also why we feel it is really important to make the information we have acquired over the past ten years readily available and this is done through the network, forums, blog's, information available in the equality download section and our activities in Facebook and Twitter.

Our belief is that everyone has something to offer; Equality, Diversity and Human Rights is really important to our everyday lives, what people need to do is appreciate  and experience what it is like when inequality is experienced.

Talent and potential and the suppression of talent and potential is a key issue here. Our aim is to ensure that no talent or potential is suppressed because of discrimination and prejudice. Recent research, particularly into the cost of inequality and insights gained from social neuroscience provide us with the evidence that talent needs to be nurtured and hostile environments such as poverty, bullying, harassment and any form of discrimination or prejudice, prohibits talent from thriving.

We are an Equality and Human Rights Centre, working across all sectors, (particularly the public sector) focusing on the issues of Social Inclusion, Diversity, Equality and Human Rights. 

We see our role as bridging the gap between the theoretical (including legislation) and the practical through applied equality practices.  We are first and foremost a service delivery organisation; we produce information, facilitate our Network Equality we place Social Inclusion, Social Economic with Diversity, Equality and Human Rights at our core.  All of us are very experienced in related fields.

Our Mission is to enable the spread of knowledge, understanding and skills needed to deliver Equality and Diversity.

It is our Purpose to dedicate ourselves to promoting equality and combating inequality and social injustices, appreciating diversity.

It is our Intent to cultivate and develop our capacities and capabilities to be able to make the aspirations that lie behind equality, diversity and human rights a reality.