RACE EQUALITY SCHEME - MINISTERIAL FOREWORD
The Scottish Government is focused on improving the outcomes for the people of Scotland. The new concordat with local authorities and its work with partners aims to promote equality and to create a Scotland that is free from inequality and discrimination - a successful Scotland in which all can flourish.
We value the diversity of our nation and recognise that minority ethnic communities have and continue to contribute so much to Scotland - economically, culturally, and socially. We believe it is important that we create an environment where this contribution can grow to its full potential, to the benefit of all. However race equality is not just about, or the responsibility of, minority ethnic communities. We all have a responsibility to foster good relations across communities, to value and respect each other, to better understand what we share in common and those aspects of our lives on which we differ. Perhaps most importantly we all have a responsibility to challenge negative attitudes and prejudices as well as working to remove the institutional and systemic barriers which limit potential and opportunity.
The Scottish Government's overarching purpose is to focus Government and public services on creating a more successful country, with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish, through increasing sustainable economic growth. Within this purpose we have 15 National outcomes which clearly state what the Scottish Government wants to achieve. A number of the 15 National Outcomes are relevant to equalities work, but one focuses on this specifically; we have tackled the significant inequalities in Scottish society.
The race equality public sector duty is a very important tool for public bodies to use to achieve this outcome and this revised scheme outlines how we in the Scottish Government will take forward race equality across the range of our responsibilities over the next three years. We look forward to working with our public sector partners, the range of voluntary sector organisations and the Equality and Human Rights Commission in progressing race equality in Scotland.
We have all been moved by the historic significance of the election of Barack Obama to the Presidency of the United States of America. What it demonstrates is that change is possible and that progress can be made. I hope that, inspired by the moment, that all of us will renew our efforts to make a real difference.
NICOLA STURGEON, MSP
CABINET SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELLBEING
NOVEMBER 2008