The "For diversity. Against discrimination." Campaign in Ireland

National Working Group

The Irish National Working Group has been consulted in order to develop the National Action Plan for the campaign in Ireland. The Directives were transposed into Irish law in July 2004 when the Equality Bill was signed.  The changes to the legislation include revised definitions of sexual harassment / harassment, indirect discrimination and reasonable accommodation for people with disability. In addition there is provision for the shifting of the burden of proof on all grounds where a prima facie case of discrimination in established by the complainant.

In the national working groups the national stakeholders, which include representatives of the social partners (employers and employees), non-governmental organisations and national ministries meet in order to discuss strategies, target groups, time schedules and activities for Ireland.

National Working Group Meetings

• Initial NWG meeting held in the EC Representation in Ireland offices on July 2nd 2003.
• Second NWG meeting held in city centre hotel on 14th May 2003.
• Third NWG meeting held in the EC Representations office in Dublin on 11th May 2004.
• Fourth NWG Meeting was held on the 29th November 2004.

National Campaign Objectives and Strategy

The key objectives and strategy of the Irish phase of the campaign is to inform target groups about the discrimination problem in the workplace and the advantages of diversity at work. We also wish to  create awareness on the transposition of the European Directives into Irish Law and to inform target audiences about the European Commissions work against discrimination. One of the most important aspects of our campaign and one which found good support from the members of the NWG was the aim of informing employers and employees of their new responsibilities and rights under the new legislation. 

Although the campaign will keep the focus on discrimination in employment it „opens itself“ for a new target group, youth, which means 16-25 of age. The National Youth Council of Ireland has accepted an invitation to become a member of the NWG. The National Youth Council of Ireland is the umbrella group for Irish youth organisations and their participation in the campaign will allow for the specific targeting of the youth sector. The NWG identified a focused information and sensitization of younger citizens and potential employers as one field the campaign could profile or close a gap in comparison to the national activities in Ireland.

Main Target Groups

One main strategic focus of the campaign in 2005 will be on the Youth sector specifically those in the 16-25 age group.

However, while the main target of communications will be directed toward the Youth sector, the campaign will continue to inform the

• General Public
• Employers / Employees
• Youth Employees / Employers

Sub-Groups

• Legal Profession
• Shop Stewards
• General Public
  

Media Activities

There has been a number of media activities carried out in Ireland including the issuing of a press release regarding the Journalist Award. The focus of the campaign is to build contacts with various journalists working in the field of discrimination and social affairs, providing a point of contact for journalists wishing further information on discrimination issues and including comment on the campaign in articles and features.

Event Activities

The campaign has participated in a number of events including

• Attendance at conferences organised by employers, trade unions and youth organisations such as the International conference for People with Disabilities in Ireland, possible international speaker
• “Beyond the Local” , Bringing a Global Perspective to Anti-Racist Youth Work Conference to Celebrate International Day against Racism 2005 organised by the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI)

Diversity Ambassadors

Diversity Ambassadors including Senator David Norris, a member of the Irish Senate and a leading human rights campaigner. We are also hoping to include Niall Crowley, Chief Executive of the Equality Authority have been recruited.