This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Race Equality Review
10/11/2005
An immediate programme of action following the Executive's Race Equality Review was announced today.
The key measures include:
- A new £2m Race Integration and Community Support Fund for locally based projects to support cross community integration and organisations and communities to tackle issues of racism and promote equality
- £2.3m further funding to strengthen the work and engagement of the Minority Ethnic (ME) voluntary sector and support public agencies in meeting their legal responsibilities
- Establishing a National Coalition on race equality to help shape the development of further race equality work in Scotland. The Coalition will be chaired by the Communities Minister
- Strategic Working Groups on minority ethnic communities living in rural areas and the needs of refugees and asylum seekers. These groups are in addition to the recently-established groups looking at issues affecting Gypsies/Travellers and employment issues affecting minority ethnic communities. The recommendations of these groups will be fed into the Race Equality Strategic Action Plan to be published in 2006
- Work with Non-Governmental Public Bodies, Communities Scotland and Community Planning Partnerships to enhance performance on race equality, and embed race equality duties in local authorities' Best Value delivery, to ensure full compliance with the Race Relations Act 1976 (as amended)
Communities Minister Malcolm Chisholm said:
"Today we are laying the foundations for a comprehensive set of measures to tackle disadvantage and discrimination in Scotland to make race equality a reality for everyone.
"A modern, dynamic Scotland is one that fosters integration but respects diversity; where all are able to help shape Scotland's future and to share in what it has to offer.
"Scotland is rightly proud of its distinct heritage and its willingness to embrace many cultures, religions and backgrounds. We are all the stronger and richer for this.
"We must rid Scotland of prejudice, racism and discrimination, which harms individuals and denies them opportunity. It is quite clear that many people still find their choices and opportunities limited because of their race - whether this discrimination is by design or default.
"We know from the Review where action needs to be taken to make a real difference to the lives of those experiencing discrimination who are marginalised or excluded and what more can be done to enable all our people contribute to a prosperous Scotland.
"Everything we put in place now will underpin the Race Equality Strategic Action Plan which we will publish next year.
"The Executive has a duty to show leadership to the public, private and voluntary sectors in tackling the damaging impact prejudice and discrimination can have in the workplace, in schools, in our public services and on our streets.
"We all need to challenge racism. But it is not just malicious or intended racism which creates barriers.
"We also need to look at our organisational, business and employment practices, as well as how we deliver our services. We need to maximise the support we give to ethnic minorities so that their voices can be heard more clearly and directly.
"Where barriers to opportunity exist, I want to see them torn down. No one should be held back in modern Scotland because of their race, colour or background. "Our message on tackling the evils of racism is uncompromising: there is no place for racism in Scotland and this includes intended or indirect discrimination faced or caused by employers, employees, organisations and individuals."
Mr Chisholm continued:
"We know what we have to do. To reduce racial disadvantage across the public sector, improve how the sector delivers race equality in services, the employment of staff and engaging with communities, we need to make sure public bodies talk to and learn from each other.
"The new Fund will support initiatives at a local level to help communities achieve equality, to encourage community integration and stability and to improve and support how the voluntary sector works in this area.
"We continue to build on all that has been achieved to forge good relationships and send out clear messages across Scotland. The One Scotland Many Cultures campaign categorically states that racism is unacceptable and emphasises the enormously valuable and positive contribution made by all communities to Scotland's economic, cultural and social standing in the world.
"A true One Scotland is where we as employers, colleagues, friends, providers of public or private services, ensure that no one is denied their right to equality of opportunity - the right to care and treatment, to jobs and qualifications, to achieve and to live free from fear or disadvantage."
The Race Equality Strategy and Action Plan will be published next year. It will build on the initial actions announced today and reflect on-going work with communities, minority ethnic organisations and public bodies.
Ali Jarvis, Interim Director of the Commission for Racial Equality in Scotland, said:
"The Review shows where progress has been made in race equality and gives focus to where work still needs to be done. There are many positive activities on race equality being undertaken by the Scottish Executive and this review offers a framework to allow for the bringing together of these in a way that has long-term impact and is sustainable in the light of future changes in equality legislation and structures.
"Whilst delivery of the race equality duties in the public sector is a legal requirement where we expect to see continued progress, it is heartening to see the review going beyond this to addressing the tougher issues of cultural change.
"We are delighted that the Minister is taking a leadership role on this issue and look forward to working in partnership to shape the ongoing national strategy on race in Scotland on the basis of these firm foundations."
Zaffir Hakim, Development Manager for the STUC's One Workplace Equal Rights project, said:
"The Race Equality review and subsequent actions represents a positive step to both advance and challenge race issues in the labour market and wider aspects of public life. The STUC's One Workplace Equal Rights Project will continue to reinforce and sustain key messages from the Executive's One Scotland Many Cultures Campaign messages at a work place level."