IMPLEMENTING EQUALITY Niall Crowley

Agenda Social power implementing equality State power implementing equality The issue of diversity

Economic Power Social Power State Power THE ECONOMY: Allocation of resources and control of production and distribution Socialist Pathways Social Democracy pathways Social Economy pathways

SOCIAL POWER IMPLEMENTING EQUALITY

Economic Power Social Power State Power THE ECONOMY: Allocation of resources and control of production and distribution Socialist Pathways Social Democracy pathways Social Economy pathways

Social Power Would greater social power lead to more equality? What are the barriers to greater social power realising this ambition? What would be required to ensure greater social power leads to more equality?

Values Values are the beliefs or ideals that we hold to be important. Personal values guide our attitudes and behaviours. They motivate us and inform our choices Values guide the policies, procedures and practices of organisations. They inform the issues that organisations prioritise.

Values Values of equality and human rights do not have significant public or political traction Values can link equality & human rights.  Dignity – respect and caring relationships.  Autonomy – freedom, choice, and agency.  Inclusion – building community and accommodating diversity.  Democracy – participation, voice and accountability.  Social justice – redistribution.

How Values Work Values are universal Values can be temporarily engaged When a particular value is temporarily engaged it can strengthen neighbouring values and associated behaviours When a particular value is temporarily engaged opposing values and associated behaviours can be suppressed

How Values Change Repeated engagement of values over time is likely to strengthen them Our experience of various aspects of our society will strengthen particular values The experience of particular institutions and policies can shape perceptions of what is possible, normal, desirable Civil society can influence values

Engaging with Values Explore values – make our values visible, give meaning to values, bring values into practice Nurture intrinsic values – communication, how we organise, what we promote Challenge extrinsic values –advertising, media, education, institutions See the big picture – short term gain vs. long- term systemic change Work together – impact requires collaboration

Implications New ways of working for civil society – Overcome fragmentation and silos – Engage with people and their values – Communicating from a values perspective – Advocacy from a values perspective – changing the values of institutions – Organising internally from a values perspective

Key Source Common Cause Public Interest Research Centre (PIRC)

STATE POWER IMPLEMENTING EQUALITY

Economic Power Social Power State Power THE ECONOMY: Allocation of resources and control of production and distribution Socialist Pathways Social Democracy pathways Social Economy pathways

State Power Would greater state power lead to more equality? What are the barriers to greater state power realising this ambition? What would be required to ensure greater state power leads to more equality?

An Equality Infrastructure Legislation Institutions – statutory and non-statutory Policy mechanisms - mainstreaming Plans – targeting

Legislation Employment Equality Act Equal Status Act Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act – new duty on the public sector European Convention on Human Rights Act Charter of Fundamental Rights International human rights instruments

Legislation - Issues The ground of socio-economic status Individual complainant model & need for a comparator Under-reporting Equality of opportunity vs. Equality of outcome Positive action allowed

Legislation Issues Prioritising particular human rights instruments – civil and political vs. economic, social and cultural Respect, protect, AND fulfill human rights Ratifying international instruments Incorporating international instruments into domestic law

Institutions Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Office of Children’s Ombudsman Office of Ombudsman Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality & sub-committee on human rights Department of Justice and Equality Department of Foreign Affairs and Standing Committee on Human Rights Civil society

Institutions - Issues Ambition – Statutory bodies and social change Scope – Combat Poverty Agency abolished Effectiveness – Cutbacks, Resources, Powers Independence – Accountability Fragmentation of equality and human rights; the danger and the challenge of integration Dissent discouraged – Alignment, Service level agreements, Tendering, Measure of success

Policy Mechanisms Positive duty to have regard to eliminating discrimination, promoting equality of opportunity and protecting human rights Social impact assessment – National Anti- Poverty Strategy Gender mainstreaming – European Structural and Investment Funds Equality mainstreaming – Equality Authority pilot initiatives

Potential – Positive Duty Advance achievement of equality and fulfillment of human rights. Support evidence-based policy-making by public bodies. Secure quality, inclusive, accessible and accountable public services. Improve employee diversity in public bodies. Drive cultural change within public bodies Bring a wider perspective to policy-making, employment procedures, and service provision.

Policy Mechanisms - Issues Implementation – Tick box exercise – Capacity – Cutback in supports Process vs. Impact Enforcement – absence of sanction New approach – Values based, Planned and Systematic

Plans National Reform Europe 2020 National Action Plan for Social Inclusion National Women’s Strategy National Action Plan against Racism National Disability Strategy 2004 Task Force on the Travelling Community, 1995

Plans - Issues Incorporating an equality and human rights dimension in National Reform Programme Mid-term review of Europe 2020 Implementation Time frames Gaps

Implications Protect, rebuild and enhance the infrastructure Secure implementation of legislation, policy mechanisms, and plans Comprehensive perspective that includes socio-economic status Integration of equality and human rights Renewal of and innovation in plans

Key Source Equality and Rights Alliance

THE ISSUE OF DIVERSTIY

Diversity Economic equality for who? Particular issues for specific groups? Particular implications for specific groups?

Discrimination Discrimination constructed around difference Individual discrimination – Less favourable treatment – Individual attitudes and behaviours Institutional discrimination – Policy, procedure, practice – Less favourable impact Internalised – Accept and live out stereotypes

Diversity Difference – Identity – the values, beliefs and aspirations shared by the group – Experience – the relationships between the group and wider society – Situation – the status of the group in terms of resources Difference has practical implications

Diversity - Issues We don’t deal well with difference in Ireladn Open to all; Treat everyone the same; Neutrality Stereotyping, assimilation, segregation Tolerance Fragmentation of grounds vs. Intersectionality Socio economic status vs. identity

Particular issues Women – Gender Pay 14.4% in 2013 – Unpaid work Lone Parents – Level of 63.2% deprivation rate – expensive and inadequate Migrants – Legal status – Recognition of qualifications

Particular Issues Travellers – 84.3% in 2011 – Cultural difference and the Traveller economy Trans people – Stigma – Recognition in the gender with which they identify People with Disability – Cost of 207 Euro per week, 35.4% of disposable income – 22% in 2013

Particular Issues Older people – Ageism – Dependency – Pension Young people – Ageism – Dependency – Welfare payment

Implications Move from tolerating difference to celebrating difference Making reasonable accommodation Focus on groups at the intersections Research and analysis, organisation and mobilisation, policy and programmes, employment and service provision