2006 events & activities 

Anti-Racist Workplace Week 2006
Events/Activities Calendar

Police Service of Northern Ireland

1. The PSNI have organised a major internal conference on Monday 6th November ‘Dealing with Racism in Northern Ireland’ which will examine two important recent (2006) pieces of research in the area of Racism in Northern Ireland. The ‘Next Stephen Lawrence’ report by Dr Robbie McVeigh on behalf of NICEM and ‘Policing, Accountability and Black and Minority Ethnic Communities’ by the Institute for Conflict Research will be presented to delegates within the PSNI at all levels across the organisation and provide an opportunity to explore the PSNI response in terms of dealing with racism in Northern Ireland effectively. This conference will be jointly hosted by the PSNI´s Ethnic Minority Police Association and Equality & Diversity Unit
   
   
2. The PSNI has also organised a staff awareness event across 29 District Command Units and Headquarter Department including display of the Anti-Racist Workplace Week posters and distribution of leaflets to staff including support for local initiatives.
   
   
3. Emails will also be circulated during this week that highlight the issue and raise awareness as well as a link being place on the Home pages of both internal and external websites that will link directly to the Equality Commissions ARWW web pages.

Equality Commission for Northern Ireland

1. The Equality Commission has initiated a general promotion and awareness campaign focusing on registered employers across Northern Ireland. The Commission wrote to employers in September and again in October highlighting the issue of racism in the workplace and the need to promote positive actions in relation to cultural diversity and to use Anti-Racist Workplace Week 2006 as an opportunity to develop actions and activities to address the issue of racism.
   
   
2. The Equality Commission has also developed a dedicated resource page on the Equality Commission website which includes resource information on the Anti-Racist Workplace Week initiative, information for employers and employees and up to date information on recent studies and migration statistics.
   
   
3. As part of Anti-Racist Workplace Week 2006 ECNI will host a meeting between Honorary Consuls represented in Northern Ireland and the partner organisations involved in Anti-Racist Workplace Week. The roundtable will consider a number of broad agenda items to develop discussion in terms of how best to respond to the needs of migrant workers and their families, including:
   
   
   • the role of the Equality Commission and a review of current work on migrant worker issues to include policy interventions, support of legal cases and initiatives  such as ARWW;
     
     
   • the business perspective on the recruitment and employment of migrant workers and the future business development needs of the Northern Ireland economy in relation to migrant workers;
     
     
   • criminal justice issues with regard to racist attacks and the role of the Police Service for Northern Ireland;
     
     
   • how we can best respond to the needs of new residents and migrant communities in Northern Ireland.
     
     
4. The Equality Commissions Employment Development division will publish a Frequently Asked Questions guide on recruiting and employing migrant workers in Northern Ireland. This guide will answer practical questions facing employers in terms of how to employ good practice in the recruitment and employment of migrant workers.
   
   
5. Employment Development will also publish new guidance on monitoring in recruitment, selection and employment to include information on racial background and nationality
   
   
6. ECNI is providing training for employers on promoting racial equality in the Workplace. This will take place in Malone House on Tuesday 7th November.
   
   
7. The Equality Commission´s Strategic Enforcement division will make information on discrimination law available in Chinese, Polish and Portuguese.
   
   
8. As part of the European transnational Roma EDEM project, the Equality Commission is organising a roundtable seminar focusing on the issue of access to training and employment for the Traveller community in Northern Ireland.
   
   The focus of the roundtable will be to identify solutions and associated actions by the relevant actors to increase access for Irish Travellers in the areas of training, employment and further and higher education. The roundtable will include key stakeholders including relevant government departments and other public authorities, employers, Traveller NGOs and training providers.

For further information on any of the above initiatives please contact the Equality Commission on (028) 90 500 600 or e-mail information@equalityni.org
Fax: 028 90 248 687, textphone 028 90 500 589

Northern Ireland Tourist Board/Department of Employment & Learning

NITB, in partnership with the European Employment Services Unit of the Department of Employment and Learning, will organise four events for the hospitality sector around Northern Ireland.  The idea is to allow the opportunity for employers in the area to call in to the venue nearest them, and ask questions about best practice in the recruitment and integration of migrant workers.  In addition to NITB and EURES staff some of the migrant workers employed in the venue will also be available to talk about their work experiences in Northern Ireland.

The venues are:
6 NOV CITY HOTEL ARMAGH (6-8PM)
7 NOV SLIEVE RUSSELL HOTEL, BALLYCONNELL (3-5PM)
8 NOV CITY HOTEL LONDONDERRY (2-4PM)
9 NOV EUROPA HOTEL BELFAST (2-4PM)

For further information please contact: Patricia Ricketts on (028) 9023 1221 or e-mail P.Ricketts@nitb.com

Department for Employment & Learning

The Department of Employment & Learning has distributed Anti-Racist Workplace Week leaflets and posters throughout all 35 Jobcentres/Jobs and Benefits Offices in Northern Ireland. The main message is also being highlighted on Jobcentre Online, the DEL vacancy website which is used extensively by jobseekers and employers.

For further information please contact; Daragh Shields on Tel: 028 9025 7809 / 9025 7865

Northern Ireland Housing Executive

1. Anti-Racist Workplace Week posters and leaflets provided by the Equality Commission will be displayed throughout the organisation.
   
   
2. 4 training session for approx.150 staff will be held on using our telephone based interpreter service (15th & 16th November). A further 2 sessions will also be held for hostel staff from the Voluntary Sector.
   
   
3. The Race Relations officers will be running a one day Inter-cultural Awareness training course for staff in the North East Area. This is one of the first in a series of such courses to be delivered across all grades and areas within the Executive. The aim of the course is to provide staff with awareness and skills training around the provision of culturally sensitive services and the promotion of good race relations.
   
   
4. Also during the week an internal working group will meet to discuss improving language and communication with Black and Minority Ethnic individuals, migrant workers and the community sector. This will include developing an action plan to address the results of an internal Linguistic Diversity Audit carried out during European Languages Day in September.

For further information please contact Linda Hutchinson Race Relations Officer 028 90318236 or e-mail linda.hutchinson@nihe.gov.uk

STEP AND ANIMATE

1. Publication of Conference Report "Promoting Rights of Migrant Workers" Animate, South Tyrone Empowerment Programme (STEP) and the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism (NCCRI) Synergy North-South Initiative At the beginning of ARWW the above report derived from a conference attended by over 200 people on the 23 May past in Lurgan, Co. Armagh will be published and circulated. The report is a resource collating a broad range of anti-racism, employment, Trade Union, migration policy, gender, human rights, civil rights, housing, and other issues facing migrant workers across the island of Ireland.
   
   
2. Launch: SobreOViver na Ihla - Case Studies of Discrimination and Disadvantage for Portuguese Workers
   Friday 10 November 12.30 Dungannon Enterprise Centre

   Semana contra o Racismo no Local de Trabalho 6-12
   Novembro 2006
   Anti-Racist Workplace Week 6-12 November 2006
   
   Convite para o lançamento da pesquisa dos casos de estudo Invitation to the launch with case studies research
   
   SobreOviver na Ilha
   Estudos sobre discriminação na Comunidade Portuguesa da Irlanda do Norte
   Case Studies of discrimination and disadvantage for Portuguese Migrant Workers
   
   A pesquisa será formalmente lançada pelo Presidente da Câmara de Dungannon Jim Hamilton e as apresentações serão feitas pelos pesquisadores.
   O evento é informal, será providenciado um buffet, as crianças são bem-vindas. Este lançamento será em Inglês e Português – providenciamos intérpretes.
   
   The research will be formally launched by the Mayor of Dungannon Cllr Jim Hamilton and presentations will be given by researchers.
   The launch is informal, a buffet lunch will be provided, children welcome. The launch will be in English and Portuguese – interpreting provided.
   
   Para mais informações, por favor contacte com o Daniel no Animate através do telefone 87729439 ou pelo email daniel@animate-ccd.net
   

Glosik(Polish Magazine)/Confederation of British Industry Northern Ireland

The CBI in conjunction with Glosik is organising a business awards scheme on 10 November to acknowledge good practice in the recruitment and employment of migrant workers by Northern Ireland companies and service providers. Migrant workers will nominate employers and service providers in three categories;

• Corporate
• Small & Medium Sized Enterprises
• Service Provider

Polish Association of Northern Ireland

The Polish Association for Northern Ireland will hold a public meeting in the Ulster Hall on Saturday 10 November for migrant workers which will outline key Equality Legislation in Northern Ireland, access to advice and information services and Trade Union membership. This event will take place from 1.00pm to 4.00pm

For further information contact Maciej Bator on 07840695181 or e-mail: maciek@polskibelfast.pl
 

Clanmil Housing Association

As part of this Anti-Racist Workplace Week initiative Clanmil Housing Association is hosting a coffee morning on 7th November 2006 for staff and NICEM are presenting to staff on cultural awareness. Clanmil are also organising a traveller awareness training session for staff involved with their traveller group housing.

For further information please contact Karen Stilges on 028 90 876000 or e-mail karen.stilges@clanmil.org.uk
 

Northern Ireland Health & Safety Executive

An event organised in conjunction with the Health & Safety Executive and chaired by the Equality Commission will take place in the Mellon County Hotel with a key focus on employing migrant workers
 

Department of Enterprise Trade & Investment

 The DETI Diversity Board are organising a lunchtime event for all staff on Friday 10th November to raise awareness of issues around migrant workers in Northern Ireland.

DETI is also organising a promotion and awareness raising event across the organisation throughout the week. For further information please contact Beverley Trimble on 9052 9477 or Email: Beverley.trimble@detini.gov.uk
 

NICVA (Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action)

As an umbrella membership organisation, NICVA seeks to represent the general interests of voluntary organisations and community groups in Northern Ireland. In its role as a voluntary sector development agency committed to social change and community development, NICVA acts as a catalyst to promote innovation and new approaches to targeting social need. NICVA works for justice, equality and dignity throughout society by promoting opportunities for community participation in the essential decisions that affect the lives of people in Northern Ireland.

There are approximately 4,500 groups in the sector of which approximately 1,000 are NICVA members and an additional 100 subscribe to NICVA Services (Associate Members).

NICVA is promoting Anti-Racist Workplace Week 2006 by distributing promotional information to its members in the form of mail outs, publications such as NICVAnews and the Enews Briefing Service. The initiative is also being supported via information and advertising on www.communityni.org. A promotional e-mail banner on the bottom of all outgoing emails with links to the initiative has been used during October and the start of November.

In addition NICVA runs a conference facility and a reference library and will take advantage of the large number of people using these facilities during the week to promote the Anti-Racist Workplace Week initiative including an information and resource stand in the reception area, plasma screen displays and briefings to all groups using NICVA facilities.

For further information please contact Susan Lavery on 9087 7777 or e-mail susan.lavery@nicva.org
 

Northern Ireland Committee/Irish Congress of Trade Unions

 The Northern Ireland Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (NIC/ICTU) has initiated an organisational and membership awareness initiative across Northern Irelands forty Trade Unions and six District Trades Councils, distributing the Anti-Racist Workplace Week posters and leaflets and encouraging trade unions and their members to develop anti-racist activities and awareness raising events.

The NIC/ICTU) is also organising a celebration event to mark Anti-Racist Workplace Week 2006. A buffet lunch will be provided and will include live music as well as short speeches of welcome. The event will take place on Wednesday 8th November, between 12.30 and 1.30pm in Transport House, High Street, Belfast.

For further information please contact Pauline Buchanan on 90247940 or e-mail Pauline.buchanan@ictuni.org

Ulster Peoples College

 As part of Anti-Racist Workplace Week Ulster People’s College is hosting a seminar to explore how the United States has addressed the legacy of slavery. Johnston Price recently participated in a study tour organised by Concordia. The group visited Richmond, Virginia, and explored how that city has been shaped by the experience of the American Civil War, the legacy of slavery and the struggle for Civil Rights in the 1950s and 60s.

This seminar takes place on 8 November 2006 at 1 Lower Crescent, Belfast, and will explore general issues of reconciliation and dealing with the past and will consider issues of race, religion and class in the US and how these relate to similar issues in our society.

To reserve a place, please contact Tracey Loughens on tel: 028 9033 0131, email: tloughens@upclearn.org

Newry & Mourne District Council

 As part of Anti-Racist Workplace Week 2006 Newry & Mourne District Council has organised an awareness raising session on Migrant Workers and Anti-Racism training for Councillors & the Councils senior management team. The session is facilitated by David White, Concept 11.

For further information please contact Colin Moffett, Equality Officer on (028) 3031 3081 / 07739235332 or e-mail Colin.Moffett@newryandmourne.gov.uk

North & West Housing

In support of this year’s Anti-Racist Workplace Week initiative North & West Housing will launch their Interpretation and Translation Service "Language Line" on Friday 10th November.

This will coincide with an awareness session on racism in the workplace being delivered by NICEM for all managers and frontline staff within North & West Housing.

In addition, North & West Housing are also distributing a Welcome poster to all their residential units and in their head office which welcomes people in a total of 36 languages.
For further information please contact; Anna Marie Travers on 028 7126 3819 Fax: 028 7126 3362 or Email: info@nwh-group.com 

East Tyrone College of Further & Higher Education

East Tyrone College of Further & Higher Education is supporting this years Anti-Racist Workplace Week event by including an information stand in the college promoting racial equality and distributing information on racism and good relations to both students and staff.

For further information please contact; Eimear Rushe, Personnel Officer on 028 87 720622 or e-mail ERushe@etcfhe.ac.uk

Belfast City Council

Belfast City Council will publish a welcome pack for migrant communities coming to live and work in Belfast. The information pack will be launched by the Lord Mayor, The Rt. Honourable Cllr. Pat McCarthy at City Hall on Wednesday 8th November. The guide will be made available in a number of different languages and will provide information for organisations and individuals in accessing the range of services that exist within Belfast.

During the event, Tinderbox Productions will deliver a short drama sketch highlighting some of the issues that are faced by many people coming to live and work in Belfast.

Belfast City Council will also distribute Anti-Racist Workplace Week information brochures to all regional centres and staff to reinforce the Councils commitment to racial equality both in terms of staff and customers

For further information please contact Hazel Francey, Good Relations Manager on (208) 9032 0202 or e-mail goodrelations@belfastcity.gov.uk

Department for Regional Development

The Department for Regional Development has distributed the Anti-Racist Workplace Week promotional posters and leaflets throughout the organisation to highlight the issue of racism in the workplace.

Office of the First Minister & Deputy First Minister

The Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, Nigel Hamilton launched a new training package designed to raise diversity awareness among civil servants.

Speaking at the launch of the Northern Ireland Civil Service Diversity Awareness training package, which coincided with the commencement of Anti-Racist Workplace Week, Mr Hamilton said: "The core theme for Anti-Racist workplace week is integration in the workplace. Effective integration can only be achieved by developing the skills, knowledge and awareness of staff so that they can perform effectively in culturally diverse workplaces.

The training package which was produced locally includes alternative classroom and e-learning modules, incorporating locally filmed video material. The Package will be made available to all staff in the Civil Service as well as being made available, free of charge, to any employer who can make use of the package to improve awareness in their own workplace.

For further information please contact the OFMDFM Press Office on 028 9052 2659

Department of Agriculture & Regional Development

Organisation wide promotional event.

Belfast Women’s Aid

Staff awareness event.

Sherwood Systems Limited

Staff awareness event.

Northern Ireland Fisheries & Harbour Authority

Organisation wide staff awareness event.

Institute of Directors

Organisational awareness event across Northern Irelands IOD membership.

Department of Health

Promotional and awareness raising campaign across the Northern Ireland Health Sector.

Business in the Community

Promotion and awareness campaign across BITC membership organisations.

Department of Culture Arts & Leisure

DCAL will be hosting a race awareness training seminar for employees on Tuesday 7 November. Training will be provided by the Ballymena Ethnic Minorities Project

Department for Social Development

The Department for Social Development is organising an awareness raising initiative across the department including an e-mail information brief to 7000 staff, distribution and display of Anti-Racist Workplace Week literature and an information brief in the departments internal staff magazine.

Department of Education

During Anti-Racist Workplace week the Department of Education will be distributing the Equality Commission´s promotional leaflets to each of its 673 staff. Promotional posters will be displayed throughout the workplace during the week to highlight the issue of racism in the education sector throughout Northern Ireland.

Royal College of Nursing

As part of Anti-Racist Workplace Week 2006 the Royal College of Nursing is organising a Masterclass event for HPSS organisations ´Challenging Racism in the Workplace´. This Masterclass will help HPSS organisations meet key aspects of the Governments Race Equality Strategy and Strategic Framework for Good Relations for Northern Ireland. The Masterclass series is led by the RCN Professional Development Team to support the development of senior nurses in Northern Ireland.

The seminar will take place on Monday 6 November at RCN Headquarters. For further information please contact Anna Marie Boyd on 02890 668236 or Email anna-marie.boyd@rcn.org.uk

Chinese Welfare Association and Sai Pak

As part of Anti-racist Workplace Week 2006 the Chinese Welfare Association and Sai Pak are launching a new "Information Pack for Chinese people coming to live in Derry. The event will take place on Monday 6 November at 12 noon in Sai Pak new office, 2/F Ebrington Centre, Glendermott Road, Waterside, Derry BT47 6BG

For further information please contact Anna Lo on 90 288 277 or Email annalo@cwa-ni.org

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