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Equality Strategy: Working together for Equality

Conclusion

The Equality Strategy outlined in this document provides a means by which effective action can be put in place. It describes what the Executive hopes to achieve and details the areas where action will be taken, what will be done, and over what timescale.

The underpinning values of the strategy are consistent with the underpinning principles of the Parliament - openness, inclusivity and accountability. The strategy forms the core of an ongoing process and a framework for putting principles into practice.

The strategy has been developed through consultation and steps were taken to make sure that people with most experience of discrimination have had a direct input. The Executive has learned much from the people who have taken part in shaping the strategy and it will build on this in future work. The consultation process provided a clear mandate for much of the way ahead:

• the need to be strategic but realistic
• to integrate achievable, measurable targets and improve research and information
• to encourage mainstreaming which is sensitive to the diversity of needs of different groups
• to work in partnership
• to raise understanding and awareness through staff training, public awareness raising and other means
• to consult and communicate effectively

On this basis, the strategy explains how mainstreaming is to be implemented across the Scottish Executive, and the proposals for working with partners to extend and support mainstreaming in the public, voluntary and private sectors.

This will be achieved by integrating an equality perspective into the everyday work of the Executive. That includes departmental business and budget plans as well as consultation procedures, policy, programmes and legislation. Staff training, guidance and support will be provided to assist this process, and the Executive will develop the necessary research and statistical base.

The strategy outlines how the Executive will be open and inclusive in its equality work. It seeks to engage communities and people with direct experience of inequality and discrimination by developing effective consultation mechanisms. It seeks to work collaboratively with those with specific knowledge, expertise and interest in equality issues. It is through this collaboration that the Executive will develop more effective and responsive policy and practice.

Our approach emphasises the need to roll out the strategy across the public sector and in all communities.

Finally, the strategy outlines how the Executive will be accountable, by asking for tangible outcomes and then ensuring that a report is available on progress. This is important not just for the government to show visibly its commitment to making a real difference, but also so that everyone can learn from the work that is being done.

The next stage is to implement the strategy, and the Executive has proposed measures to take this forward. Over the coming months, the Executive will also identify the actions that it intends to take that are of relevance to particular equality interests.

The Executive's plans are ambitious and challenging. They have to be if they are to fulfil the commitment to improving the lives of the people of Scotland.

By implementing the strategy, the Executive's policies and programmes will be more responsive to the needs of all communities, respect for diversity and difference will be fostered, and new partnerships for change will be forged.

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