Corporate Information

• Assembly Commission
• Secretariat Audit and Risk Committee
• Clerk/Director General
• Director General's Office
• Corporate Governance Framework
• Revised Assembly Secretariat Corporate Plan 2008/2011
• Organisation Chart
• The Information We Publish
• Freedom of Information
• Tender Opportunities
• Job Opportunities
• Principal Officers and Officials
  • Directors Expenses
• National Fraud Initiative
• Equality Scheme
• 2009-2010 Annual Report to the Equality Commission
• Disability Action Plan
• Copyright
• Resource Accounts
• NIABT
• Good Relations Action Plan
• Screening Consultation
• Complaints Procedure

Results of the Assembly Commission Consultation on the Good Relations Action Plan 2010-2011

'This Consultation has now Closed'

Dear Consultee

Northern Ireland Assembly Commission - Good Relations Action Plan

The Northern Ireland Assembly Commission (the Commission) has approved a Good Relations Action Plan for the period from 2010 - 2011 and now wishes to consult with interested organisations and/or individuals. A copy of the Action Plan is attached at Appendix 1 and details of the consultation process are outlined below. These are also available on the Northern Ireland Assembly website: archive.niassembly.gov.uk/goodrelations.htm

The closing date for comments on this consultation is Friday 4 June 2010.

It is the intention of the Commission to adopt an inclusive and transparent approach to this consultation and it has provided a number of options to facilitate your involvement in the process. The options proposed are:

1. The Commission invites written representations on the content of the Good Relations Action Plan.
   Please send your comments to:
   
   Maria Bannon
   Equality Manager
   Northern Ireland Assembly Commission Support and Compliance Unit
   Room 152
   Parliament Buildings
   Ballymiscaw
   Stormont
   Belfast
   BT4 3XX
   or submit electronically to equality@niassembly.gov.uk
2. The Equality Manager will facilitate consultation meetings, on behalf of the Commission, to discuss this document and to obtain further feedback from consultees, as required.
3. The Equality Manager will also facilitate round table events, on behalf of the Commission, bringing together similar representative organisations and/or individuals on request.

If you wish to take part in a round table event, or meet with the Equality Manager, Maria Bannon, to discuss the Good Relations Action Plan further, please contact us by either:

Telephone: 02890 418377
Text Phone: 02890 521209
Email: equality@niassembly.gov.uk

There may be a number of people in your organisation who would be interested in this consultation so we would be grateful if you could ensure that they are made aware of this consultation process.

The Commission will publish a summary of responses, following the completion of the consultation process. If you would prefer your response to be treated as confidential, please let us know, stating your reasons clearly. Any automatic confidentiality disclaimer generated by your IT system will be taken to apply only to information in your response for which confidentiality has been specifically requested.

If we are asked to disclose responses under Freedom of Information legislation, we will take any requests for confidentiality into account. However, confidentiality cannot be guaranteed.

We will handle appropriately any personal data you provide in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. For further information about confidentiality of responses, please contact the Information Commissioner's Office or see website at: www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk

These documents are available in hard copy and in alternative formats such as large print, Braille, audio or in other languages. They can be requested by contacting us using any of the methods outlined above.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully

MARIA BANNON
EQUALITY MANAGER

NI ASSEMBLY COMMISSION  

GOOD RELATIONS
CONSULTATION DOCUMENT

1. INTRODUCTION

The promotion of Good Relations is a statutory duty placed upon all public authorities in Northern Ireland. Section 75 (2) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 requires the Assembly Commission ¹ (the Commission) to “…have regard to the desirability of promoting good relations between persons of different religious belief, political opinion or racial group.” ²

The Commission’s approach to the promotion of good relations is underpinned by its commitment to equality of opportunity.

This Good Relations Action Plan sets out a framework for responding to challenges and improving service delivery over the next year. Through this the Commission’s aim is to implement a programme of work which will inform the development of a Good Relations Strategy.

2. THE ASSEMBLY COMMISSION AND GOOD RELATIONS

In March 2005, the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) published ‘A Shared Future’: The policy and strategic framework for good relations in Northern Ireland’. The overall aim of this policy is:

“The establishment over time of a normal, civic society, in which all individuals are considered equals, where differences are resolved through dialogue in the public sphere, and where all people are treated impartially. A society where there is equity, respect for diversity and a recognition of our interdependence.” ³ The Commission support this aim and wish, through this Plan, to do its part in supporting the achievement of a shared future for the benefit of all the internal and external users of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

In order to take forward this area of work the Assembly Commission approved a Good Relations Action Plan for consultation at its meeting of 21 January 2010. This plan also contributes to the corporate objective ‘to promote good relations’ as stated in the Commission’s 2008-2011 (Revised 2009) Secretariat Corporate Plan. ⁴

3. THE GOOD RELATIONS VISION FOR THE ASSEMBLY COMMISSION

The Commission is committed through its Equality Scheme to the principle of equality of opportunity and good relations. In this context the Commission will aim to ensure that the entire community can enjoy full and fair access to, and participate in, the operations of the Northern Ireland Assembly. Additionally, the adoption of this action plan will ultimately support the Commission’s vision of:

“An Assembly that strengthens democracy and engages the people (of Northern Ireland) in creating a better future for all”. ⁵

4. COMMITMENT

To assist in achieving its vision the Commission, at its meeting of 10 December 2009, reiterated and formalised its commitment to Good Relations, they 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.”

The Good Relations Plan is also inextricably linked to the value-based concepts of equality, diversity and interdependence and to the objectives and priorities of A Shared Future and the Racial Equality Strategy. ⁶

Through this the Commission, when delivering its services and policies, will integrate these values into daily practice.

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. ⁷

The Commission also demonstrates its commitment to Good Relations in line with public statements contained in its Corporate and Business Plans, leadership at Management level and devolving responsibility throughout the organisation by encouraging each Directorate and related business area to promote equality and good relations as part of their routine work. The action plan at Appendix 1 has captured good relations devolvement at Directorate level.

5. PRINCIPLES

In delivering good relations the Commission will also:

5.1 Be impartial.
5.2 Respect the backgrounds and cultures of others.
5.3 Learn from others’ experiences.
5.4 Support those with whom we come into contact with in an open and tolerant manner.
5.5 Accept that we might not always share the same views as others but we are comfortable with that acceptance.
5.6 Help to build trust and understanding within and outside the organisation.

6. CURRENT POSITION/ACTION PLAN

The Commission has approved the current Good Relations Action Plan for consultation and welcomes your views and comments. It has broken the plan into Six Shared Aims. These are:

• Promotion of Good Relations: The Commission will promote equality of opportunity and good relations in all aspects of its work by ensuring that all its services are delivered impartially and effectively.

• Equal protection: The Commission will provide equal protection to its staff and service-users by tackling any incident of racial harassment or sectarianism. The recent publication of our “Dignity at Work” policy outlines how the Commission proposes to create and sustain an environment where everyone is treated with respect and dignity. Equity, Diversity and Interdependence within the workforce will be recognised with the aim of making the most of everyone’s potential.

• Equality of service provision: The Commission will ensure equality of opportunity for all people in accessing and benefiting from its services and facilities. It will shape its policies, practices and work with other organisations, individuals and groups to enable trust and good relations to grow.

• Participation: The Commission, through its Engagement Strategy, and other relevant documents, will develop partnerships with public bodies, agencies, schools and others to foster a sense of belonging to an integrated and mutually supportive society in which diversity is valued and welcomed. Parliament Buildings hosts a large number of events and visitors each year and has a significant opportunity to play a leading role in the encouragement of dialogue, shared learning and mutual respect for different faiths and cultural backgrounds.

• Dialogue: The Commission will encourage dialogue, mutual understanding and shared learning on issues related to good relations to ensure tolerance and understanding are promoted and appropriate initiatives/activities which promote equality of opportunity are fostered.

• Capacity Building: The Commission will aim to further build capacity internally and externally, with appropriate groups, to ensure suitable partnerships can be developed to address the Commission’s commitment to Section 75(1) and (2).

7. ANNUAL REVIEW

The Good Relations Action Plan will be reviewed six-monthly by the Assembly Commission and the Secretariat Management Group. A Good Relations Action Plan will be devised for each subsequent year. The Equality Unit will lead the Commission on matters relating to its commitment to promoting and improving good relations both among staff and with external stakeholders. It is also anticipated that the Good Relations Action Plan will be subject to normal internal audit scrutiny.

8. ACTION PLAN

The Good Relations Action Plan for 2010-2011 is shown at Appendix 1.

Appendix 1

GOOD RELATIONS ACTION PLAN 2010-2011

1. The NI Assembly Commission is the corporate body of the NI Assembly. It is responsible for putting in place and maintaining the necessary corporate infrastructure to support the NI Assembly.

2. Northern Ireland Act 1998. London, The Stationery Office Limited, 1998.

3. A Shared Future: Policy and Framework for Good Relations in Northern Ireland, Office of the First and Deputy First Minister, March 2005, p.7

4. The Northern Ireland Assembly Secretariat Corporate Plan 2008-2011 (Revised 2009), p.14

5. The Northern Ireland Assembly Secretariat Corporate Plan 2008-2011 (Revised 2009), p.7

6. A Racial Equality Strategy for Northern Ireland 2005-2010, Office of the First and Deputy First Minister

7. 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

8. Timescales refer to commencement dates

• 9 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.

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