Equal-Works guest:
Trevor Phillips, Chairman, Commission for Racial Equality, and Chairman-elect, Commission for Equality and Human Rights
Moderator:
Jeremy Harrison, Equal-Works Editorial Director, Tribal Education and Technology
Trevor Phillips, chair of the Commission for Racial Equality and chair-elect of the new Commission for Equalities and Human Rights was the guest on the first live Equal-Works debate on 21 November. He answered questions and discussed issues raised by Equal DPs and visitors to the site for an hour. Trevor Phillips’ theme was living and working together in a diverse society. ‘There are two challenges – how we live on the planet, and how we live together’, he said.
The debate ranged over ethnic and cultural diversity, wealth creation, the continued problem of ethnic stereotyping in career choice and work itself, and the situation of ethnic minorities in rural communities.
It also went into the challenges and barriers faced at work by women from minority communities, and the difficulties small ethnic minority firms face in accessing the business and procurement opportunities they need to grow.
Trevor Phillips emphasised the changes that have improved the lives and work of men and women from minorities during his lifetime. ‘It’s no longer OK to be prejudiced and bigoted …….some kinds of racism are more subtle, indeed more wounding. But a lot of things have changed for the better. Having said that, we still have a substantial degree of inequality.’
He strongly welcomed the contribution of Equal DPs to the practical business of making diversity a reality in learning and work settings. ‘Good practice,’ he said, ’that’s everybody else ought to know about.’
He also confirmed the interest of the CRE and the new CEHR in EQUAL DPs’ work - diversity materials, career choice supports and business and procurement innovations.
The whole debate is now available to be replayed by clicking here.
Further information on the debate topic
