The Scottish Executive are keen to encourage a wide ranging debate on equality issues and in particular the development of the first Equality Strategy for Scotland. Consultees are therefore invited to comment on any issues of concern to them in the development of the strategy. It would however be of particular assistance in drawing up the strategy if consultees could also respond to some particular issues raised as set out below. Where possible consultees are asked to make their views known as specifically as possible on these points. It would also be especially useful to learn more about consultees’ views on the existing legislative frameworks in the devolved areas which they consider promote or hamper the promotion of equality.
In developing its Equality Strategy the Scottish Executive is committed to the following:
Questions for issue 1
Q1. How do you think those commitments can best be met in the Scottish context?
Q2. Who do you consider are the key partners who should be involved in contributing to the development of the Scottish Executive’s Equality Strategy?
Q3. What makes an effective partnership and how should partnership working on equality be developed by the Executive?
Q4. What are your ideas for widening representation in public appointments and in particular addressing the under representation of groups such as women, ethnic minorities and disabled people?
There is to be a further specific consultation on the public appointments system in the New Year so it would be helpful in responding to this question if consultees could focus on their ideas for promoting greater equality and views on specific barriers to participation.
As part of a cross-cutting, phased approach to the development of the Equality Strategy the following will form the main strands of the work programme in the early stages:
Questions for issue 2
Q4. How do you think these key strands can best be developed by the Executive?
Please comment on each strand if you can and indicate if there is anything you could contribute to the development of work in these areas.
Q5. How do you think the Scottish Executive can promote a better understanding of the needs of specific groups?
Q6. Do you have enough data and information on equal opportunities in Scotland?
Q7. How could the data and information on equal opportunities be improved?
Q8. How should the Scottish Executive promote a better understanding of equal opportunities?
The Scottish Executive is aware of the value of recognising and promoting awareness of good practice. It can lead to improvements overall in the quality of services as well as in the development of policies appropriate to Scottish circumstances. The Executive is therefore interested in learning more about consultees’ views of what constitutes good practice in the equality field and any outstanding examples which you think could be of value in the development of the Equality Strategy. This could be across all equality issues or in relation to a particular area such as health, social work or housing. It needn’t be someone else’s good practice. If you think you or your organisation is particularly effective in promoting greater equality we would be pleased to hear from you. The Executive would be pleased to see examples of any explanatory leaflet, policy document, code of practice or guidance, which you think might be helpful.
Q9. What do you think constitutes good practice in the equality field and can you supply the Executive with examples of good practice?
In support of the work programme to develop the Equality Strategy the Scottish Executive will look to develop and build on the following:
The Scottish Executive already maintains a database of Scottish organisations with a particular interest in women’s issues. A number of other organisations such as the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) and Disability Scotland also maintain information on organisations and interested groups in their area of expertise. In developing and building on existing networks and taking forward work on a communications strategy for equality issues the Scottish Executive would welcome your views on the scope for sharing such networks or the case for developing these within the Scottish Executive itself.
Q10. What existing networks in your area of interest or part of Scotland could be relevant to the development of the Equality Strategy and who is the contact?
Q11. Do the existing equality networks meet your needs? If you answered Yes could you please explain why? If you answered No could you indicate what networks would best suit your particular area of interest or part of Scotland?
Q12. What experience do you or your organisation have of effective consultation and how do you think the Executive can develop and improve its consultation methods and mechanisms on equality?
Q13. What should the Executive be considering in order to develop effective communication on equality?
In addition to the ongoing mainstreaming and developmental work, the Executive may wish to consider specific projects or thematic work on equality for future development.
Q14. What should be the focus of such project or thematic work?
We have a real opportunity to shape an effective equality strategy and in so doing help to develop a more inclusive Scotland. A Scotland where the richness of our diversity can be celebrated through ensuring equality of opportunity.
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from the Equality Unit at the address below.
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Responses
The closing date for responses is 4 April 2000.
Responses to this consultation document can be sent by post to:
The Equality Unit
Room 045
St Andrew’s House
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG
Responses can also be e-mailed to EqualityConsultation@scotland.gov.uk
Under the code of practice on open government, any responses will be made available to the public on request, unless respondents indicate that they wish their responses to remain confidential.