< Previous | Contents | Next >

Race Equality Advisory Forum

5 Fundamentals for a Fairer Future

The Forum believes there are several reasons for the lack of progress in the promotion of race equality and anti-racism in Scotland. Of these, two seem particularly important to any understanding of past public and other sector approaches.

First, the small size and scattered geographical distribution of Scotland's minority ethnic communities has been used by some to deny that racism and racial discrimination are a problem or even an issue in Scotland. It is the Forum's view that this is not an acceptable or justifiable basis for policy development, service design and service delivery.

Secondly, specific cultural, linguistic and religious needs of minority ethnic communities are not met by purely "neutral" approaches. Such approaches have also hindered the development of an understanding of the effects of racism and inequality.

Such attitudes and approaches, combined with other institutional and structural barriers, have prevented Scotland's minority ethnic communities from enjoying equitable access to public services. They have also prevented communities from being provided with services which genuinely meet their needs. The Forum's work has led it to conclude that there are a number of fundamentals which must now be put in place or strengthened if Scotland's minority ethnic communities are to enjoy a fairer future. These are:

• an acknowledgement by all in Scottish society that institutional racism and racial harassment are issues which need to be addressed;
• a commitment from political and organisational leaders to tackle the root causes of racial discrimination and remove the conditions that allow racial harassment and racist behaviour to flourish;
• the development of structures, policies and practices to act positively against racism and overcome institutional barriers; and
• action to promote race equality, anti-racism and equality of opportunity for all communities.

< Previous | Contents | Next >