Good Relations Strategy 2012 – 2016
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Northern Ireland Assembly Commission Good Relations Strategy 2012 – 2016 1. Introduction 1.1 Under Section 75(2) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission (‘the Commission’) is required to have regard to the desirability of promoting good relations between persons of different religious belief, political opinion or racial group. This Strategy sets out how the Commission proposes to fulfil this duty in relation to the functions for which it is responsible. 1.2 Good Relations Action Plan (2010-2011) This plan covered a one-year period. Following the end of the 2010-2011 plan period a progress report was issued to the Equality Commission in September 2011 setting out the progress made towards the actions detailed within the plan. 1.3 Good Relations Action Plan (2012-2016) The Commission has now developed new targets and actions in this current plan which spans a 4 year period in line with our Corporate Strategy. This Good Relations Strategy contains the Commission’s Good Relations Policy and its second Good Relations Action Plan for the 2012 – 2016 period. 2. Context 2.1 The Commission’s purpose is to serve and support the Assembly in its role of representing the interests of the electorate; making effective legislation; and influencing the Executive and holding it to account. 2.2 The Commission’s vision is to be at the forefront of providing outstanding and progressive parliamentary services. The Northern Ireland Act 1998 states, “there shall be a body corporate known as the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission (“the Commission”) to perform: (a) the functions conferred on the Commission by virtue of any enactment; and (b) any functions conferred on the Commission by resolution of the Assembly.” 2.3 The Commission is the body corporate of the Northern Ireland Assembly. It has the responsibility, under section 40(4) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, to provide the Assembly, or ensure that the Assembly is provided, with the property, staff and services required for the Assembly to carry out its work. The Commission may delegate any of its functions to the Speaker or a member of staff of the Assembly and may determine its own procedures. The Commission is chaired by the Speaker and consists of five other Assembly Members: Chairperson, The Speaker: Mr William Hay Mr Peter Weir, Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) Mr Barry McElduff, Sinn Féin Mr Leslie Cree, MBE, Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) Mr Pat Ramsey, Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) Mrs Judith Cochrane, Alliance 3. What is Good Relations? 3.1 The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland’s working definition of Good Relations is “The growth of relationships and structures for Northern Ireland that acknowledge the religious, political and racial context of this society, and that seek to promote respect, equity and trust, and embrace diversity in all its forms.”1 3.2 Section 75 (2) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 places a statutory duty on public bodies, such as the Commission, to proactively address good relations. Section 75 (2) formalises the shift from managing diversity and difference to promoting diversity and integration. It involves considering steps to promote good relations amongst, for example, employees, service users and others affected by our policies. 4. Policy 4.1 The Commission is committed, through its Equality Scheme, to the principles of equality of opportunity and good relations. This document sets out the policy of the Commission in complying with its obligations and responsibilities in relation to Section 75 (2) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 commonly referred to as the ‘the Good Relations Duty’. 1 http://www.equalityni.org/archive/pdf/Good%20Relations%20Summary%20Guide.pdf 5. Vision 5.1 The Commission is committed to equality of opportunity and good relations. In that context the Commission will aim to ensure that the entire community can have full and fair access to, and participate in, the operations of the Northern Ireland Assembly. 5.2 To assist in achieving its vision, the Commission, at its meeting of 10 December 2009, reiterated and formalised its commitment to Good Relations, it stated: “The Northern Ireland Assembly Commission is committed to the promotion of good relations between persons of differing religious belief, political opinion or racial group and is committed to challenging sectarianism and racism.”2 6. Key Principles 6.1 The principles that inform this policy are those which are common to good relations work in Northern Ireland. The Commission is committed to, and supports, the principles of equity3, diversity and interdependence4, through the promotion of good relations within its work, in the secretariat and with all other stakeholders affected by our policies. 6.2 Through this policy the Commission, when delivering its services and policies, will integrate these principles into daily practice. 7. Commitment 7.1 The Commission is fully committed to the effective implementation of this Good Relations Action Plan. All necessary resources in terms of people, time and finance will be made available for this purpose. 7.2 The Commission will ensure the effective communication of the Good Relations Action Plan to all staff and will provide training and guidance for staff in relation to their responsibilities. 2 http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/commission/2007mandate/minutes/2009/091210.htm 3 Equity is about ensuring that all sections of society have equal opportunities to participate in economic, political and social life through redressing inequalities arising independently from people’s choices. Diversity is about acknowledging how our differences as individual human beings and as members of groups can improve the quality of our lives. Interdependence is about recognizing that we are shaped by our relationships, and that our potential as human beings and as a society is dependent on the quality of our interactions with one another. 4 The Equity, Diversity and Interdependence Framework: a Framework for Organisational Learning and Change, 2002, Future Ways Programme, University of Ulster and International Fund for Ireland Community Bridges Programme. 7.3 The Commission confirms its commitment to submitting an annual report to the Equality Commission on the implementation of this plan as well as carrying out a four year review of this plan. 8. Monitoring 8.1 The Commission is committed to monitoring and reviewing our policies and practices to ensure that we deliver an effective and efficient service.The Commission and Corporate Support Unit (CCSU) will be directly responsible for the day-to-day monitoring of compliance with the statutory duties and reporting on progress to the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland. 8.2 This plan sets out the actions that the Commission plans to take forward over the next four years. This plan will be monitored and reviewed on an on-going basis and reported on annually through the submission of a progress report to the Equality Commission. This report will be published on the Assembly’s internet and intranet websites. 8.3 The Good Relations Action Plan will be regarded as a work in progress and amended and updated as necessary to reflect any further consultation comments received and any issues emerging from the Commission’s engagement with representative groups, staff, visitors and the public. 8.4 The Commission recognises that some actions contained within the plan may come under multiple aims. Where this is evidenced a * will denote where a duplication of aims has occurred. 8.5 A copy of the Good Relations Action Plan and our annual progress Report to the Equality Commission will be made available on our website at www.niassembly.gov.uk. 9 Consultation 9.1 The Commission is committed to carrying out all consultations in an open, timely and inclusive manner and in accordance with the guiding principles set out by the Equality Commission. We are also committed to engaging effectively with representatives in the drafting, implementation, monitoring and review of this Plan and will ensure that this engagement continues in the future. When consulting on this Strategy, the Commission will: Circulate consultation documents to all of those on the Commission’s consultee list (included at Appendix 2); Seek the views of Secretariat staff; Seek the views of Commission Members; Make the consultation documents available on the Assembly’s internet and intranet websites; and Advertise this consultation in the three main regional newspapers. 9.2 The Commission will also continue to engage with stakeholders, whilst implementing and reviewing the plan, over the four year period covered by this plan. Through this we hope that these actions will enable us to: better understand the views and experiences of stakeholders; identify any further useful actions that our Directorates can take forward to promote Good Relations; and monitor and review how effective our actions have been. 10 Point of Contact The point of contact in relation to the implementation, review and evaluation of this Good Relations Action Plan is: Name: Maria Bannon Title: Equality Manager Address: Room 152 Parliament Buildings Ballymiscaw Stormont Belfast BT4 3XX Telephone Number: 028 9041 8377 Textphone Number: 028 9052 1209 Email address: [email protected] The Commission’s Good Relations Action Plan will be made available on request in alternative formats (such as in large print, in Braille, in audio format or on computer disc). Please contact the Assembly Commission and Corporate Support Unit