Taking forward a framework for Equity and Rights: meeting policy practice and public demands

1. Taking forward a framework forEquity and Rights: meeting policypractice and public demands Rowena Arshad OBE Director of the Centre for the Education for Racial Equality in Scotland (CERES) & Senior Lecturer, University of Edinburgh 29th March 2004: Prague

2. Scotland “A small country but not a country of small minds” 29th March 2004: Prague

3. Essentially egalitarian • By dint of being Scottish- essentially egalitarian • Denial of the existence of racism or other ‘isms’ - however a recognition of poverty and dominance by England e.g. voting patterns • Public policy did not really engage with issues of difference, diversity or equality 29th March 2004: Prague

4. A crisis of confidence • Carol Craig talks of the Scots as a nation that has a crisis of confidence, a lack of self-belief, not having a ‘can do’ attitude- the cup is always half empty rather than half full • In the past 40 years, over 1million Scots left the country- The Brain Drain 29th March 2004: Prague

5. Devolution and the Scottish Parliament • When Scotland voted for the setting up of it’s own Parliament- it voted for the right to be different Inclusion and social justice became a corner stone of it’s policy and political machinery 29th March 2004: Prague

6. Race relations and Scotland • Legislative changes ( Race Relations (Amendment)Act 2000 and the public duty) • Civic acceptance of the issue- Stephen Lawrence Inquiry • Political will - the Scottish Parliament 29th March 2004: Prague

7. POWER TO THE PEOPLE • Setting up of the Race Equality Advisory Forum - chaired by a Government Minister • http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library3/social/reaf-00.asp • Membership of progressive and radical practitioners, community activists and academics prepared to use terms like ‘anti-racism’ rather than just ‘multi or intercultural’ 29th March 2004: Prague

8. Step…by….step… • Public awareness campaign www.onescotland.com • Research on how racism affects barriers to progression in schools, colleges, universities, employment, housing etc… http://www.scotland.gov.uk/cru/kd01/red/auditethnic-00.asp 29th March 2004: Prague

9. Step…by….step… • Staff development Creation of websites for teachers and student teachers e.g. www.antiracisttoolkit.org.uk • Using community scrutiny e.g. police community panels • Anti-discriminatory work within Black/minority ethnic communities e.g. gender, disability related 29th March 2004: Prague

10. Making changes at all levels 29th March 2004: Prague

11. LEGISLATIVE DRIVER • Not just another piece of legislation - places onus on institutions to prove they are being proactive - imposes duties on those that audit and monitor to include race equality 29th March 2004: Prague

12. MAINSTREAMING • Impact assessment and equality proofing • Using equality straplines • e.g: University Equality and Diversity Committee monitors and liaises directly with the Senior Vice- Principal - can create structural change- time for reflection at the University of Edinburgh 29th March 2004: Prague

13. Change and Challenges • Toleration or genuine diversity • Maintaining momentum • Ensuring more systemic change : root and branch • Moving to an anti-racist approach • Multiple identities and discriminations • Delivering to raised expectations - particularly from those so long excluded and unheard • Majority tolerance level shifts quickly - some minorities now acceptable and others not 29th March 2004: Prague

14. SMART, SUCCESSFUL SCOTLAND • Challenging racism - good for the political, civic, economic and social life of the country • Creating a nation of people comfortable with diversity and able to conduct themselves in the global market and community 29th March 2004: Prague

15. SMART, SUCCESSFUL SCOTLAND • Diversity Good for Society: Good for Business 29th March 2004: Prague

16. Some measures for change.. • Positive action into public appointments, public positions • Racist crime- greater sentence • Mainstreaming into policies e.g. school anti-bullying policies, health and housing policies • Bilingual staff used but with career prospects • Well funded Interpreting and Translation services 29th March 2004: Prague

17. REALITY • Window of opportunity for change might be closing -we have ‘done’ race/complacency, resentment • Mixed messages - challenge racism but treating asylum seekers poorly is less contentious • Continued issues of exclusion, tokenism and degrees of patronisation • Polite racism: Equity and Rights or calculated tolerance- ‘this far and no more…’ 29th March 2004: Prague

18. POLICY DEMANDS • Evidence based policy development • Creating change on wishes rather than real cash • High output for little cash • Changing agendas to fit political demands 29th March 2004: Prague

19. PRACTICE DEMANDS • Adequate and appropriate funding- not short-term funding • Practitioners able to be helicopters! • Meeting the needs of an increasingly diverse but astute communities and individuals 29th March 2004: Prague

20. COMMUNITY DEMANDS • Immediate and tangible changes • Representation • Power sharing 29th March 2004: Prague

21. CENTRE FOR EDUCATION FOR RACIAL EQUALITY IN SCOTLAND(CERES) Tel: 0131 651 6371 Fax: 0131 651 6371 E-mail: ceres@ed.ac.uk www.education.ed.ac.uk/ceres 29th March 2004: Prague