Under
the theme of mainstreaming equality there will be an exchange on approaches
to and lessons learnt from (a) the implementation of the statutory duty
in Northern Ireland and (b) the development of equality proofing initiatives
in Ireland.
Regarding
the theme of the integrated equality agenda there will be co-operation
in research and joint initiatives that: (a) contribute to how each body
can learn from the other's experience in implementing the integrated equality
agenda; (b) raise the public profile of the individual groups promoting
an equality agenda and (c) improve organisations' abilities and skills
to measure progress in achieving equality.
Section 75 promotes equality of opportunity between persons with disability and persons without
Under
the theme of EU Structural Funds allocations, the Equality Authority and
the Northern Ireland Equality Commission will work jointly to (a) improve
ways of supporting the implementation of gender mainstreaming developments;
and (b) contribute to mainstream outcomes from the Equal Community Initiative
which aims to promote, and in due course to mainstream, new means of combating
all forms of discrimination and inequality in connection with the labour
market. Funding will be available to support suitable innovative projects,
put forward by geographical or sectoral partnerships, which are designed
to foster a labour market open to all.
The
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights applauded the Good Friday Agreement for putting equality and human rights at the heart of the Agreement.
Discrimination between Catholics and Protestants has been one of the problems
at the heart of the conflict and successive governments have used a variety
of legislative approaches to eradicate it. The equality provisions in
the Agreement constitute a legal and political shift in governments' approach
to inequality in Northern Ireland. Instead of addressing inequality with
traditional anti-discrimination legislation the government has opted for
mainstreaming. The difference between the two is that mainstreaming concentrates
on achieving equality by integrating the equality agenda into public policy
decisions rather than eliminating discrimination.
Equality Commission headquarters at Equality House in Belfast
When the Executive launched its first Programme for Government on 24 October 2000 it indicated its intention to begin consultation on a Single Equality Bill that would harmonise all anti-discrimination laws. Responsibility for the consultation process rests with the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister.
The proposal for a Single Equality Bill is supported by the Equality Commission which, since its foundation in October 1999, had pointed up the need to rationalise the seven different pieces of legislation that its powers are drawn from. Under current legislation equality law is to be found in over 70 legislative provisions.
As part of its contribution to the consultation process the Equality Commission held a number of round table discussions on key areas with a range of individuals and organisations. The Executive plans to introduce the Single Equality Bill in 2002.
