Management of Diversity Research Project

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• Management of Diversity Research Project

Dr Billy Leonard
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INCORE was set set up in 1993 by the United
Nations University and the University of Ulster.
Its overall function is to carry out research on
- conflict resolution
- public policy matters in such situations
- post conflict transition
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Management of Diversity
To assess policy needs in areas which could help
manage diversity in NI
Taking stock / scoping study
Funded by OFMDFM
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Cross cutting issues

• Education
• Land Management
• Participatory Practices

• Equality
• Culture
• Policing

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Cross cutting issues

• Utmost importance of managing diversity in next
  few years
• language of diversity to be taken further e.g.
  we are not just talking about pluralism
• we have more than a two community diversity
• OFMDFM vital as driving force

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continued

• Need both top-down and bottom-up approaches
• European and International laws / conventions
  helpful in our context
• responsibility taking importance balance with
  rights
• measure of shared ambition

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Education - Options for consideration

• Assess effectiveness of Social, Civic Political
  Education
• review of teacher training for SCPE
• investigate feasibility of a group driving
  forward culture of tolerance in education.

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continued

• Investigate more holistic vision of, nature of
  learning, education and inclusive society
• review of religious education to assess how it
  reflects vision of pluralism, tolerance and
  diversity
• examine how Higher Further Education sector
  could contribute to management of diversity

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Land Management - Options

• Methodologies required for
• approach and consultative techniques for
  community involvement
• ethno-graphic profiles of areas / communities

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continued

• Avail of best international practice where race
  and planning insights are helpful e.g. GB US
• prioritise areas for pilot studies
• response strategy for private sector
• Travelling community issues

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Participatory Practices - Options

• Research Community Link idea
• review functions of local / central government
  and non-elected bodies
• research feasibility of non-territorial elections

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continued

• Clarify vision of civic society in N Ireland in
  time for review of Belfast (Good Friday)
  Agreement
• several points made on review issues e.g.
  Assembly to Civic Forum relationship.

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Equality - Options

• Research into language of equality with view to
  relatively detailed vision statement
• research how to help in promoting good relations
  duty
• research how to effectively evaluate Equality
  Impact Assessments

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continued

• Research how to convey pro-active and
  multi-dimensional nature of equality and,
  responsibility taking in proposed legislation
• consideration of measures in legislation applying
  to private sector

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Culture - Options

• Furnish context friendly vision statement of
  cultural diversity
• research model for single-identity work to move
  to interdependence with other cultural groups
• research how politics, history and religion
  impact upon culture - educational training
  material to be end product

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continued

• Research methodologies for positively
  demonstrating culture and cultural identity in
  wider context
• compile framework and criteria for funding
  bodies which integrates principles from above

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Policing - Options

• Comprehensive socio-political vision of policing
  be drawn up
• this could be the basis of mission statement type
  documents and inform police training
• PSNI and all bodies with responsibility for
  policing be designated under Sec 75 equality
  legislation

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continued

• Police training to include sociology and social
  psychology concepts, different philosophies of
  policing - main emphasis policing in and with
  society
• review research at appropriate time on how new
  structures are delivering transparent
  accountability

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continued

• Critique of Police Act 2000 implementation
  strategies to avoid difficulties in management
  of diversity context
• consider how to continue the management of change
  from RUC to PSNI

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and in conclusion
there are two essentials

• Political will

• The driving force