Equality and Standards

Equality is about us as people. It is about our lives it is about our hopes and dreams, our loves and hates, our ideas and beliefs, our drivers and motivators, work and play, our memories and ambitions, flashes of guilt and sparks of genius. We all experience these and it is our right not to have them distorted through inequality practices.

The Role of Equality

Creating Equality in the future will demand capacities and developing capabilities that until now have just been options. We live in a time of rapid and vast changes (climate, global, demographic and technological) — all of which are dramatically affecting on the people. We need to be able to cultivate our capacities and developing capabilities within the country.

A route to creating an equality hub is through Network Equality. There is already much activity and resources going into equality and there needs to be a more co-ordinated, consistent approach where people can share good practice and get a common understanding of what equality is and how it can practically work effectively.

We have identified a 5-element approach. These 5 elements are

  1. Standards
  2. Critical thinking skills
  3. Communication Channels
  4. Purpose
  5. Leadership

These are not in any particular order and also cannot be considered stand-alone. In fact if any one of the above is missing or distorted then the delivery will fall short. Uncoordinated approaches waste enormous amounts of time and money and results in unproductive outcomes

The delivery approaches used today are quite often based on assumptions that are no longer relevant and are based on delivery models that fall short of the requirements of the 5 elements. (this is highlighted in the Equalities Review Feb 2007) The introductions of an ‘integrated, focused and networked’ approach will bring people and existing “functionally silo’ projects together. The strength will come through the delivery of the Network Equality Hub and the application and engagement with the 5 elements. This will drive through the Equality and Social Inclusion agenda in the UK.

Summary of the five Elements of Equality and their attributes

Standards

Strength attribute: This contains the subject matter, accurate, relevancy, knowledge, credibility, legislation etc.

Deficit attribute: If we do not have standards we will carry on perpetuating inaccurate or out of date information. This leads to wasted resources and inequality of outcomes.

Critical Thinking Skills on Equality

Strength attribute: Tools (tool kit) and techniques, this contains applications, checklists and actions on how to think about Equality. These give individuals the thinking skills to question and reframe issues. The ability to apply the skills to evaluate and apply the standards.

Deficit attribute: If we have no focused or critical thinking around Equality we will always do the same thing this will mean no change will take place.

Communication Channels

Strength attribute: How do we find out information? Getting updated information out etc. The correct message is vital for the region. People need accurate, up to date relevant information.

Deficit attribute: If we have no focused communication channels how do we expect people across the region to keep up to date and avoid duplication etc.

Purpose

Strength attribute: What is in it for me? What are the consequences, ethics, morals, Social Inclusion and human rights?

Deficit attribute: If we do not know or understand the reasons and purpose behind Equality why should we engage with it and be motivated to work towards the required objectives.

Leadership

Strength attribute: Direction, champions, this region needs to champion Equality. The region needs to make its mark in the global market – accountability and responsibility

Deficit attribute: Without leadership we may put in unfocused effort, and this may result in working hard but in the wrong direction.

Engagement with the 5 elements: Progressive realisation

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