March 2004: Prague Taking forward a framework for Equity and Rights: meeting policy practice and public demands Rowena Arshad OBE Director of the Centre for the Education for Racial Equality in Scotland (CERES) & Senior Lecturer, University of Edinburgh

March 2004: Prague Scotland “A small country but not a country of small minds”

March 2004: Prague 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

March 2004: Prague 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

March 2004: Prague 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

March 2004: Prague 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

March 2004: Prague POWER TO THE PEOPLE Setting up of the Race Equality Advisory Forum - chaired by a Government Minister Membership of progressive and radical practitioners, community activists and academics prepared to use terms like ‘anti- racism’ rather than just ‘multi or intercultural’

March 2004: Prague Step…by….step… Public awareness campaign Research on how racism affects barriers to progression in schools, colleges, universities, employment, housing etc… ethnic-00.asp

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

March 2004: Prague Making changes at all levels

March 2004: Prague 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

March 2004: Prague 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

March 2004: Prague 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

March 2004: Prague 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

March 2004: Prague SMART, SUCCESSFUL SCOTLAND Diversity Good for Society: Good for Business

March 2004: Prague 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

March 2004: Prague 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…’

March 2004: Prague 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

March 2004: Prague 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

March 2004: Prague COMMUNITY DEMANDS Immediate and tangible changes Representation Power sharing

March 2004: Prague CENTRE FOR EDUCATION FOR RACIAL EQUALITY IN SCOTLAND(CERES) Tel: Fax: