This story was first published on August 12^th, 2006.

Anti-Racist Workplace Week 2006

There was a good turnout from local community organisations and businesses. Mirn Cuirein, Community Development Co-ordinator with the Partnership opened the session welcoming everyone in attendance and giving a brief overview about Ballymun and the Ballymun Intercultural Group (B.I.G)s role in driving the campaign for anti racist workplace week. Niall Crowley from Equality Authority introduced the background to anti racist workplace week, which encourages businesses to look at themselves in a more holistic fashion. The theme for anti racist workplace this year, which takes place from November 6^th-10^th is integration. Making local businesses and organisations increasingly aware of equality legislation Niall Crowley also mentions the legislation available is not only about non-discrimination but also about promoting equality. The significance of not only accommodating cultural divers ity in the workplace, but promoting and celebrating an intercultural ethos in the workplace will add positive value to the way we do our business. The next meeting proposes to bring a steering group together to commence discussion surrounding practical actions and implications that can be taken concerning anti racist workplace week. Such actions will form and sustain a shared ambition to combat racism in the Irish workplace and promote an intercultural society.

One of the aims of the Ballymun Intercultural Group is to support national campaigns at a local level and the group has always been active in promoting Anti-Racist Workplace Week and this year we hope the week will be a very active one.

Anti-Racist Workplace Week seeks to stimulate and support intercultural workplaces that:

• Are free from discrimination and harassment.
• Are welcoming to Black and minority ethnic (including Traveller) employers and customers.
• Accommodate and value cultural and linguistic diversity in the workplace.
• Take practical steps to achieve full equality in practice for Black and minority ethnic (including Traveller) employees.
• Communicate a message for greater equality within its wider community.

Use the links below to find out how Ballymun Intercultural Group promoted this in previous years:

New Communities Working in Ballymun.
Niall Crowley from the Equality Authority talks about Anti-Racism in the Workplace Week.