Equality Commission Conference marks ten years 

Ten years ago today the Equality Commission was established, bringing together responsibility for a number of different equality issues and the Commission marks its anniversary with a Conference today at the Hilton Hotel, Belfast.

Secretary of State Shaun Woodward MP, in a message to be delivered by DVD today to the Conference, has said that the work the Commission does is central to the transformation of Northern Ireland from a divided past to a shared future in which ‘equality for all’ is its bedrock and foundation.

“Some see ‘equality’ as a threat: a zero sum game of winners and losers,” he said. “Others as too little too late to redress historic disadvantage, real and perceived. Both are wrong. Without equality you cannot have fairness and justice. And without fairness and justice, you cannot have long term peace, stability and prosperity.”

Evelyn Collins, Chief Executive of the Equality Commission, will open the Conference with an assessment of the achievements and challenges of the past ten years. “Ten years ago, many of the people we have been able to help over the past decade would have faced discrimination with no law to protect them and no organisation to assist them to challenge it,” she said. “People who were told that they were too old for a job, that they couldn’t attend a particular school because they were disabled, or that they would not receive a vital medical procedure because they had HIV, would not have had the opportunity to contest those decisions and assert their right to fair treatment.”

“Things are very different today. We can mark a very significant record of achievement in the ten years since 1999 and the lives of many people are better as a result. Laws now protect people in the situations I’ve just described, and there is a requirement on all public bodies to promote the equality of opportunity as an essential ingredient in decision making and service delivery throughout Northern Ireland. “

Bob Collins, Chief Commissioner of the Equality Commission will introduce the Secretary of State’s message, and welcome delegates to the Conference.
Bruce Robinson, Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, will address the Conference on the government’s contribution to equality, including legislation. Belinda Pyke, a senior official from the European Commission, will provide the Conference with a European perspective on equality; John Kremer of Queen’s University, Belfast will assess ten years of changes and future developments in the Northern Ireland workplace; and High Court Judge the Honourable Mr Justice Weatherup will examine some key equality law issues for the 21st century.

Tony Bell, an HIV-positive man, will speak about his successful legal case, taken with the support of the Equality Commission, so that he could gain access to vital medical procedures. Shannan Kincaid, aged 13, will speak about her campaign for safe playgrounds and streets in her home area of Shankill, Belfast; and Gordon Milligan of Translink will give an employer’s experience of using the Commission’s services for advice, support and workforce monitoring.

“Creating an environment where positive change can happen is a vital part of our work. Today we will be discussing what changes are needed to end the inequalities which still affect too many people in our society and examining the challenges which lie ahead if we are to ensure that the people in Northern Ireland enjoy the benefits of true equality of opportunity.” Evelyn Collins said.

ENDS

Conference speech by the Commission’s Chief Executive, Evelyn Collins CBE

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Note

• The Commission came into existence on October 1, 1999, replacing the Equal Opportunities Commission for Northern Ireland, the Fair Employment Commission, the NI Disability Council and the Commission for Racial Equality for Northern Ireland.