EQUALITY UPDATES 3rd December 2009 View online at http://enf.org.uk/blog/ 16 Days of Action for the Elimination of Violence Against Women http://digbig.com/5bapfm ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ GLASGOW NEWS ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From CONSULTATION INSTITUTE: Consultation: Before & After: 9th December, Glasgow. A Masterclass about anticipating and planning well enough so that a consultation can deliver information and data that is relevant and useable, so making a genuine difference. The Course is ideal for anyone likely to have to manage consultation projects of any size or sensitivity; extremely useful for any consultation and engagement professional to have on their CV. It is also one of the mandatory courses for the Institute’s Certificate of Professional Development (Management Route). See attached Masterclass information sheet. This course is also excellent for building teams of consultation or public participation staff, and we offer a special discount for “Tables of Four” who can work together on the exercises. http://digbig.com/5basft ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From GLASGOW SOCIAL CARE PROVIDERS FORUM: ENABLE Scotland: The Journey So Far: 15th December, 3pm - 5pm, Glasgow. Norman Dunning, Chief Executive ENABLE Scotland will discuss the journey so far in social care. The move from institutions, to people receiving services, to people now becoming involved in designing and leading in their own care. What does personalisation mean for the people we work for and how do we ensure that people get the support they need to lead the lives they want. How can providers move from more traditional methods of service commissioning and delivery to becoming flexible creative and innovative in supporting people to reach their goals. This presentation will be supported by the premier of short animated film “My Life”, where individuals with learning disabilities through animation will highlight their dreams and ambitions and what they hope to achieve through the personalisation process. This event will be of interest to individuals with learning disabilities their friends and families and those people who share their lives. Places are limited to 40. For a booking form contact Elizabeth McKenna Tel: 0141 221 8769 Email elizabethmckenna@gscpf.org.uk ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From CULTURE AND SPORT GLASGOW: CSG’s Equality Policy, Action Plan And A Summary Version Now Online: http://bit.ly/6dtPFR From GLASGOW COMMUNITY PLANNING PARTNERSHIP: Glasgow Tobacco Strategy 2009 – 2014: The final version of the Glasgow Tobacco Strategy 2009 – 2014 is now available. The original Glasgow Tobacco Strategy was published by the Glasgow Alliance in 2005. Since then a number of changes have taken place and many sections of the strategy required updating. The revised strategy takes these into account and has also been altered following an Equality Impact Assessment. Glasgow City Council Corporate Policy Health Team will be working jointly with the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Improvement Tobacco Team to monitor the implementation of the strategy. The full version and summary can be downloaded from http://digbig.com/5bashg A limited number of hard copies are available from Mairi Peteranna, phone 0141 287 0411. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL: Council Grants Integration Project (CGIP): A Report on the CGIP was considered yesterday (02/12/09) at the Finance and Audit Scrutiny Committee - seeking the Committee’s views on the CGIP proposals prior to consideration by the Executive Committee. Items regarding the Equalities Impact Assessment, targets for equalities and the impacts of equalities are discussed and responses from the Survey included in the Report. http://enf.org.uk/blog/?p=1039 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From TRANSFORMATION TEAM: Gaza Now Photo Exhibition: The opening ceremony of the Gaza Now Photo Exhibition, which will mark the first anniversary of the Gaza siege, takes place at Glasgow Central Mosque on Friday, 11th December at 5.30pm. The schedule for the evening is: 5pm Welcome and refreshments; 5.30pm Short speeches by Glasgow Central Mosque Representative; Pauline McNeil (MSP); Denis Rutovich (Founder of Edinburgh Direct Aid); Satellite link-up with officials in Gaza; Nicola Sturgeon (Deputy First Minister); Ismael Patel (Chair of Friends of Al-Aqsa, Senior Advisor to the Conflicts Forum); Dr Colin Cooper (Aid worker currently in Gaza); 7pm Q & A. After the Opening Ceremony, two exhibitions will be available: An insightful and emotive photo exhibition "Gaza Now", comprising of stills and videos captured during and shortly after the siege on Gaza in December last year. Please RSVP to info@centralmosque.co.uk or call Asid Khan on 07870 601 799 if you would like to attend this ceremony, so that I can send you an official invitation with further details. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From EQUALITY NETWORK: Can Glasgow Really Be B)Othered? By Jennie Kermode: Organised by Scottish-Canadian writer/photographer Sandra Alland, b)other looks at the intersection between LGBTI experiences and disability. It is accompanied by a zine, A Spot of b)other, which can now be found in LGBTI and arts venues around the city……. Yet this celebration of the work of artists facing multiple challenges has been marred by a series of problems which suggest mismanagement or even prejudice at the top of the organisations that commissioned it…..Read on at http://digbig.com/5basgx ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ SCOTTISH NEWS ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From SCOTTISH REFUGEE COUNCIL: Continued Detention Of Children ''A National Disgrace'' (01/11/09): In advance of Sandra White''s motion on the Detention of Children at Dungavel (S3M-05109#), to be raised and debated tomorrow at the Scottish Parliament (Wednesday, 2 December), Scottish Refugee Council issued a statement. http://www.scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk/press/ New Advice Leaflet To Help Women Overcome Violence And Abuse (02/12/09): A new information leaflet produced by Scottish Refugee Council in association with the London School of Tropical Medicine will help asylum-seeking women who have experienced violence, depression and stress to access help and support. http://www.scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk/press/ Refugee Puts Human Rights On The Agenda This St Andrew''s Day (28/11/09): Professor Alan Miller, chair of the Scottish Human Rights Commission, met Patience Tsungu, a refugee from Zimbabwe, today as part of Scottish Refugee Council’s HOME visit scheme. http://www.scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk/press/ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From LGBT NETWORK: Why Stonewall Are Getting It Wrong (22/11/09): Last week Pink News had an exclusive that Stonewall had decided to fight for religious civil partnerships. On its face it sounds like good news, right? That’s a significant difference between marriage and civil partnership, and with many faith groups fully inclusive of LGBT people, it seems there is no reason to disallow a ceremony in a church or synagogue that is willing to conduct it. http://www.lgbtnetwork.eu/?p=3667 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From EQUALITY NETWORK: National LGBT Forum: Race, Religion And Belief: 5:30 - 8:30pm, 14th January 2010, Stirling. This meeting of the forum will look at the topic of race, religion and belief. As well as a panel of speakers from ethnic minority, religious and LGBT communities, part of the forum will be a roundtable discussion on the topic. We’re looking for your ideas and suggestions on what areas you would like to see on the table for discussion. http://www.scottishlgbt.org/Events/Details.aspx?id=382 Transgender Representations In The Media Survey: When was the last time you saw a transgendered person on TV? Trans Media Watch, in association with the Scottish Transgender Alliance, is running a survey looking at the effect of the media on transgender people''s lives. This could help to establish the evidence needed to challenge transphobic publishers and programme-makers. Please consider taking part. The survey will run until the end of January. http://www.transmediawatch.blogspot.com https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=O4tOK_2fwGheCBcql1J3GO4w_3d_3d Scottish Women''s Aid Asks: Urge Your MSP To Support Domestic Abuse Motion: Cathy Peattie MSP has tabled a motion in the Scottish Parliament (http://digbig.com/5basgs) noting the results of the Scottish Women''s Aid census day, and SWA asks: "we would really like to see widespread Cross-Party support for this issue. If you could take a few moments to contact your MSP and ask them to support this motion that would be great" *S3M-5277 Cathy Peattie: Scottish Women’s Aid Census—That the Parliament welcomes the publication of Scottish Women’s Aid census day statistics, collected over a 24-hour period on 24 September 2009" (Women refused at refuges as domestic abuse rate rises 8%: http://digbig.com/5basgt An Uncertain Mix: Equality And Scottish Devolution: 6 - 8pm, 15 Dec, Scottish Parliament, Committee Room 6. "Has devolution helped to achieve a fairer Scotland? Would Scotland be a fairer place if the Scottish Parliament had greater equal opportunity powers?" Research commissioned by the Equality and Human Rights Commission suggests that the Scottish Parliament’s impact in tackling inequality over the last ten years, while positive, has been limited. Uncertainty about the scope of devolved equal opportunity powers and limited accountability are seen as important barriers to progress. The Commission warmly invites you to hear more about these findings and to debate these issues with them. http://www.scottishlgbt.org/Events/Details.aspx?id=390 Glasgow: Imaan - The Support Group For Muslim LGBT People: 2 - 4pm, 6th Dec, St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art, 2 Castle St. Pav Akhtar, the Chair of Imaan, will speak about the realities and challenges of being a LGBT practising Muslim, what Imaan does to support its members and the opportunities presented by the Single Equality Bill for LGBT communities. http://www.scottishlgbt.org/Events/Details.aspx?id=363 Police And LGBT Community Conference: ‘Ensuring The Safety Of LGBT People: Policing And Beyond’: Thursday December 17th, Tulliallan Police College. The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland are holding their two-yearly LGBT community conference in association with LGBT organisations including the Equality Network, Stonewall Scotland, and LGBT Youth Scotland. All LGBT community members and groups with an interest in policing issues, such as community safety and hate crime, are cordially invited. You can find more details here, including details of how to get to the venue, and, at the bottom of the page, a registration form: http://tinyurl.com/ydhm6fz ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From INCLUSION SCOTLAND: Free Personal Care Costs To Be Published (STV 25/11/09): The Scottish Government is preparing to publish new figures on the cost of free personal care. http://www.inclusionscotland.org/news/story.asp?id=2498 TV Sets New Representation Targets (24/11/09): http://www.inclusionscotland.org/news/story.asp?id=2496 YouTube Introduces Automatic Captions For Deaf Viewers (BBC News 24/11/09): YouTube''s parent company Google has announced on its blog that automatic captions are to begin to roll out across the site. http://www.inclusionscotland.org/news/story.asp?id=2495 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From MEN''S HEALTH FORUM SCOTLAND: Bridging The GAP – A New Equalities Learning Resource: Bridging the Gap is a well researched and referenced equalities in health learning resource developed by NHS Education for Scotland (NES). Although intended for pre-registration nurses, midwives and allied health professionals (NMAHPs) in Scotland, the web-based resource may be of interest to anyone working in the wider health and social care fields concerned with developing a better understanding of health inequalities and the contribution they can make in helping to reduce them. To access Bridging the Gap, go to http://www.equalityinhealth.scot.nhs.uk/nmap/section1menu.aspx Partner Exploitation And Violence In Teenage Intimate Relationships: A landmark research report from the University of Bristol and the NSPCC. Partner exploitation and violence in teenage intimate relationships is the first study in Great Britain to provide a detailed picture of the incidence and impact of teenage partner violence. http://digbig.com/5bashc ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT: Equal Opportunities 17th Meeting, Tuesday 1 December 2009: Agenda included: Carers; “All Our Futures: Planning For A Scotland With An Ageing Population"; Work Programme Access documents at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/s3/committees/equal/index.htm ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT: Residential Care Proposals (02/12/09): High-level group to improve outcomes for looked after children. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2009/12/02102618 Forum Chair And Commissioners Appointed (01/12/09): Pilot forum for adult survivors of abuse in residential care. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2009/12/01152528 Housing Statistics For Scotland - Quarterly Update (27/11/09): http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2009/11/27092630 Prison Statistics Scotland 2008-09 (27/11/09): http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2009/11/27094202 Building A Safer And Stronger Scotland (26/11/09): Moves to ensure Scotland is safer and stronger moved closer today as the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Bill passed Stage One of the parliamentary process. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2009/11/26161950 Scottish Household Survey 2009 Quarter 2 Data Release (26/11/09): http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/11/SHS2009Q2 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ UK NEWS ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From UK PARLIAMENT: House Of Commons 2nd December: Equality Bill Transcript at http://digbig.com/5basje ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From EQUALITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION: Commission Issues Compliance Notices To Three Local Authorities On Gender Inequality (01/12/09): Councils face enforcement action. The Commission has issued compliance notices to three local authorities warning that they need to take steps immediately to address gender inequality in their community or face legal action for failing to comply with the Sex Discrimination Act. The Commission believes Arun District Council, Chiltern District Council and East Cambridgeshire District Council are in breach of the Act’s Gender Equality Duty. This duty requires public authorities to address gender inequality in their communities, for example by providing specialist services such as domestic violence and rape crisis centres for women who have experienced violence. Read on at: http://www.wired-gov.net/wg/wg-news-1.nsf/lfi/DNWA-7YBJ6E Equality Bill May Give Option To Recruit Under-Represented People (01/12/09): Commission holds positive action seminar http://digbig.com/5bashs Commission To Investigate Disability Related Harassment And Role Of Public Authorities (03/12/09): Commission to hold Inquiry into harassment of disabled people http://digbig.com/5basht ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From BRITISH DEAF ASSOCATION: Add Your Voice To The Petition On AA And DLA (26/11/09): There has been lots of concern among the Deaf community about the possible implications of the Government''s consultation Green Paper Shaping the future of care together, which is why the BDA wrote to the Government www.britishdeafassociation.org.uk/news.php?action=view&news_id=151 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From REFUGEE ACTION: Refugee Action Response To Quarterly Asylum Statistics (26/11/09): In response to the third quarterly asylum statistics 2009 released today, Sandy Buchan, Chief Executive of Refugee Action, said: These statistics show that the top countries of origin for asylum seekers are Afghanistan, Iran and Zimbabwe, countries where devastating conflict and human rights abuses are regularly in the news. http://www.refugee-action.org.uk/news/2009/quarterlystats.aspx ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From YWCA: Getting Home Safely: YWCA Welcomes Taxi Campaign (01/12/09): As the Christmas party season approaches, YWCA urges young women to keep safe by drinking within their limits and not using illegal minicabs to get home at night. http://www.ywca-gb.org.uk/news/Getting_home_safely Building Career Hopes (27/11/09): YWCA Wolverhamton''s young women don hard hats and get working http://www.ywca-gb.org.uk/news/building_career_hopes ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From REFUGEE COUNCIL: Strategy Fails To Recognise Needs Of Refugee Women Fleeing Violence (26/11/09): www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/news/news/2009/November/25112009_zz.htm Refugee Council Response To Asylum Statistics (27/11/09): http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/news/news/2009/November/27112009.htm Safety Of Child Asylum Seekers Given Boost After Court Ruling (27/11/09): www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/news/press/2009/prnov2009/27112009_b.htm ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From POLITICS.CO.UK: Gay Rights Concerns Over Equality Bill As It Returns To The Commons (02/12/09): Gay rights groups protested against several clauses in the equality bill as it returned to the Commons for one day of debate. http://digbig.com/5bashr ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From RETHINK: Watering Down Of Equality Bill Means Continued Misery For Job Applicants With Mental Illness (26/11/09): http://digbig.com/5basjq ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From SCOPE: Scope Welcomes EHRC''s Inquiry Into Harassment Of Disabled People (03/12/09): http://www.scope.org.uk/cgi-bin/np/viewnews.cgi?id=1259830710 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From THE GUARDIAN: The Equality Bill Is Less Than Equal: Peter Tatchell On Comment Is Free (02/12/09): By excluding lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, the proposed legislation sadly fails to live up to its name http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/dec/02/equality-bill ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From WOMEN’S RESOURCE CENTRE: New Project To Support Women With No Recourse To Public Funds Launches: The Sojourner Project is a pilot scheme run by Eaves and funded by the Home Office, and will be operational from Monday 30 November 2009 until 28 February 2010. Eaves will be working in partnership with a range of other voluntary providers to co-ordinate support, accommodation and subsistence for women and their dependents throughout the country. More info at http://digbig.com/5basaq Asylum Aid Launches New Women''s Asylum Charter Report: http://digbig.com/5basar Beautiful Star Fundraising Album For Why Women And Fawcett Society: now on itunes http://bit.ly/4rKHIp and video at http://bit.ly/7H2WUO ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From FAWCETT: Closing The Gap - Does Transparency Hold The Key To Unlocking Pay Equality? (03/12/09): Nearly forty years on from the introduction of the Equal Pay Act, the pay gap is a persistent thorn in the side of workplace equality. This Gender Equality Forum thinkpiece asks: could transparency hold the key to unlocking pay equality? http://www.fawcettsociety.org.uk//index.asp?PageID=1022 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From UK PARLIAMENT: Inquiry Into Preventing Violent Extremism Begins (30/11/09): Committee looks at the effectiveness of government policy in preventing violent extremism http://digbig.com/5basep Speaker’s Conference Publishes Interim Report (25/11/09): The Speaker’s Conference has called for political parties to be required to make public the number of women, people from ethnic minorities and disabled people who come forward for selection as parliamentary candidates. In an interim report published today, the committee of MPs looking into ways to encourage a more diverse range of people into Parliament, says it will table a new clause to the Equality Bill, currently going through Parliament. http://digbig.com/5basen ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From LEONARD CHESHIRE DISABILITY: ''Era Of Austerity'' Must Not Affect Programmes To Support Disabled People Into Work (03/12/09): On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the charity Leonard Cheshire Disability has issued an urgent call to ensure that programmes that support disabled people into employment are maintained and developed. http://www.lcdisability.org/?lid=11154 John Pickup Of Amputees In Action Wins £50,000 Stelios Award For Disabled Entrepreneurs 2009 (27/11/09): http://www.lcdisability.org/?lid=11142 Have You Ever Had Problems Accessing Goods And Services?: Leonard Cheshire Disability is carrying out research into disabled people’s experiences of accessing goods and services. We would like to talk to disabled people who have faced problems - this might have been when visiting a local shop, bank or post office, for example, or when using public transport. We would also be particularly interested to hear from people who have taken, or have considered taking, legal action against a service provider. Participants will be asked a series of questions about their experiences. The interview should take 15-25 minutes to complete and people will receive £5 for their time. We are looking to conduct around 20 interviews so numbers are limited. If you would like to express an interest in taking part please contact Eleanor Gore, eleanor.gore@LCDisability.org, telephone 020 3242 0373 or write to us at: Eleanor Gore, Leonard Cheshire Disability, 66 South Lambeth Road, London SW8 1RL ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From THE INDEPENDENT: The March Of The New Feminists (29/11/09): Women''s groups are thriving for the first time in a decade as young Britons rediscover gender issues. They are the Topshop generation: young girls more used to partying than protesting; keener on women''s looks than women''s lib. But now they have had enough. A new wave of feminists, some still in their teens, are putting the struggle for women''s rights back on the agenda for the first time in a decade. Read on at: http://digbig.com/5basas ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From JOSEPH ROWNTREE FOUNDATION: Monitoring Poverty And Social Exclusion 2009: The annual report on the state of poverty and social exclusion in the United Kingdom from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the New Policy Institute. http://www.jrf.org.uk/publications/monitoring-poverty-2009 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From WOMEN’S GRID: Video Of National Women’s Liberation Conference 1970: Its the 28th of February 1970 and women’s groups from around the country have assembled at Ruskin College, Oxford, for the first ever National Women’s Liberation Conference. Posted by Journeyman TV http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eq9AMH3JfAo ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From INSTITUTE OF RACE RELATIONS: Swiss Poll Crushes Minarets: (30/11/09): Graham Murray writes from Switzerland as the country votes to ban the building of minarets. http://www.irr.org.uk/2009/november/ha000043.html The EU Security-Industrial Complex (26/11/09): This report is an indispensable reference manual on the threats posed to citizens by the convergence of neo-con ideology, power and technology in the name of national security. http://www.irr.org.uk/2009/november/ha000039.html People Must Be Entertained (26/11/09): We publish below a talk on ''Early 19th century theatre and racial attitudes'' given by Dr Hazel Waters at the Museum of London, Docklands on 19 November. http://www.irr.org.uk/2009/november/ha000041.html Dickensian Poverty In The Twenty-First Century (26/11/09): The asylum support system destroys hope and sanity. http://www.irr.org.uk/2009/november/ha000042.html Swiss Youth Erect Geneva''s First New Minaret (03/12/09): The Network of Genevan Youth Associations (GLAJ) immediately registered its shock at the result of the Swiss referendum on the banning of minarets by erecting a minaret made of cardboard, wood, paper and tissue in Geneva''s New Square. http://www.irr.org.uk/2009/december/ha000006.html INQUEST Wins The Longford Prize (03/12/09): INQUEST, the organisation which assists the families of those who die in custody, has been awarded the 2009 Longford Prize. http://www.irr.org.uk/2009/december/ha000005.html Yorkshire Youth Event A Great Success Against All The Odds (02/12/09): A ground-breaking civil rights conference, planned by and for young people in Yorkshire, went ahead despite difficulties placed in its path by the local council. http://www.irr.org.uk/2009/december/bw000004.html Death Of Chinese Woman At Heathrow Under Investigation (26/11/09): The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has begun an investigation into the death of a Chinese woman following her release from custody after being arrested at Heathrow airport. http://www.irr.org.uk/2009/november/ha000040.html ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From VOICE4CHANGE: Campaigning Research Programme (01/12/09): Voice4Change England has made a strong case to reinstate the Campaigning Research Programme and called on the Minister for the Third Sector, Angela Smith to honour the Compact Codes of Practice on BME VCS and Funding & Procurement. In a letter to the Minister, Voice4Change presents the impact of the quarter of a million pound funding loss on the small BME groups and asks how the Government plans to repair its broken promises. http://www.voice4change-england.co.uk/crp.html ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From HOME OFFICE: National Identity Card Launched In Manchester (30/11/09): http://press.homeoffice.gov.uk/press-releases/national-id-manchester Immigration And Asylum Statistics Released (26/11/09): http://digbig.com/5basdy ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From MIND: Wellbeing Is Here To Stay (03/12/09): Delegate Edward Pinkney was inspired by the discussion on new approaches to mental health at the Mind conference. http://www.mind.org.uk/blog/2496_wellbeing_is_here_to_stay Is ''Wellbeing'' The New ''Recovery''? (01/12/09): Mind conference delegate Alison Faulkner asks if wellbeing really is the business of mental health policy or services. http://www.mind.org.uk/blog/2484_is_wellbeing_the_new_recovery Do You Live In Cumbria? (01/12/09): We''d like to hear your views on mental health services in the area. http://www.mind.org.uk/news/2491_do_you_live_in_cumbria Perspectives On Wellbeing: Things Our Grandmothers Knew (29/11/09): Anger has its place, but the more powerful, sustainable and persuasive fuel for changing the world is hope. http://digbig.com/5baseb Mind Looks To The Future Of Wellbeing And Mental Health (27/11/09): Mind''s annual conference helps launch a fresh debate around ''wellbeing'' and the prevention of mental distress. http://digbig.com/5basec Marcus Trescothick: A Sackful Of Sporting Trophies Won''t Beat Off Depression (27/11/09): http://digbig.com/5based ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From EQUALITYBILL.COM: Equality Bill Moving To The Lords (02/12/09): The Equality Bill is now going through its final debate in the Commons. After this, the bill will move to the Lords, where we will be seeking amendments. As you may have read already in the papers, our primary focus will be on lifting the current ban on Civil Partnership Ceremonies from taking place in religious buildings. http://equalitybill.com/2009/12/02/equality-bill-moving-to-the-lords/ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From OPERATION BLACK VOTE: Casting Prejudice Aside (27/11/09): A new report highlighting the level of caste discrimination has led campaigners to call for the issue to be addressed in the government’s Equalities Bill. http://digbig.com/5basea ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From OPERATION BLACK VOTE: Young, Gifted, Black And Betrayed (03/12/09): Lee Jasper argues that Britain’s education system has betrayed the youth… so now it’s time to open our own schools run on our values http://digbig.com/5basja ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From BRITISH INSTITUTE OF LEARNING DISABILITIES: Learning To Tell - A Handbook For Inclusive Storytelling: To support the development of inclusive storytelling, this new and exciting resource from BILD has been specifically designed to help people to find personal meaning in traditional stories, and so make links between a legend and their own lives. http://www.bild.org.uk/ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From PINK NEWS: Equality Bill To Be Debated Today In House Of Commons (02/12/09): The Equality Bill has reached the report stage and will be debated in parliament today. This stage follows four weeks of debate by a committee and will allow the House of Commons to consider further amendments. http://digbig.com/5basjd World AIDS Day: This Year''s Biggest HIV And AIDS News Stories (01/12/09): http://digbig.com/5baset One In Five People With HIV Harassed Or Threatened (30/11/09): A survey into stigma around HIV has found that one in five people living with the disease has been harassed or threatened in the last year. It also found that a similar number had been refused medical treatment. http://digbig.com/5baser David Cameron''s World AIDS Day Message (30/11/09): www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/11/30/david-camerons-world-aids-day-message/ Gordon Brown Raises Anti-Gay Laws With Ugandan President (26/11/09): http://digbig.com/5baseq ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ INTERNATIONAL NEWS ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From AWID: Switzerland: Sharp Criticism Follows Swiss Vote To Ban New Minarets (New York Times 30/11/09): Switzerland’s political leaders on Monday faced a chorus of criticism at home and abroad over an overwhelming popular vote to ban construction of minarets. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/01/world/europe/01iht-swiss.html?_r=2 Czech Government Expresses Regret For Illegal Sterilizations Of Romani Women (Romea 24/11/09): http://www.romea.cz/english/index.php?id=detail&detail=2007_1398 Uganda: Right-Wing Evangelicals Challenge President Over Anti-Gay Bill (Ekklesia 19/11/09): http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/10640 Argentina: Buenos Aires Grants First Marriage License To Gays (Huffington Post 16/11/09): www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20091116/lt-argentina-gay-marriage/# USA: Abortion Amendment ''Throws Women Under Bus'' Say Activists (AFP 09/11/09): http://digbig.com/5basdp Iceland Tops Gender Equality List, US Ranks 31 (Feminist Majority Foundation 02/11/09): http://www.feminist.org/news/newsbyte/uswirestory.asp?id=12037 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From NATIONAL SEXUALITY RESOURCE CENTRE: Common Claims: Polanski And Rape In Early America (20/11/09): http://digbig.com/5basfx ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From ABOUT FACE: “Why Do You Want To Look Like Someone Else?”: A friend of mine recently sent me this video in which little Sophie, with the help of her mother, sends out an important message via YouTube http://about-face.org/blog/archives/2058 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From EUROPEAN DISABILITY FORUM: 3 December: Europe Celebrates The Day Of Persons With Disabilities: To mark the European Day of People with Disabilities, the European Commission organises a policy conference in the first week of December each year, in close cooperation with the EDF.This year''s Conference will take place in Brussels on 3 and 4 December and it will deal with "Creating conditions for independent living". The Conference''s goal is to contribute to a better understanding of issues related to independent living, in particular economic autonomy, community services and assistive technologies. http://www.edf-feph.org/Page_Generale.asp?DocID=13854&thebloc=23156 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AGENCY: Statement On The Occasion Of The International Day Of Persons With Disabilities, 3 December 2009 (03/12/09): http://fra.europa.eu/fraWebsite/home/infocus09_0312-2_en.htm ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From PINK NEWS (INTERNATIONAL): Trans Recognition Laws To Come Before Irish Parliament (30/11/09): http://digbig.com/5bases ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From ILGA EUROPE: The First International Treaty Banning Sexual Orientation Discrimination Comes Into Force Today – The Treaty Of Lisbon (01/12/09): http://digbig.com/5basjt World AIDS Day 2009 – People All Around The Globe Commemorate And Stands Together In The Fight Against AIDS And HIV (01/12/09): http://digbig.com/5basjs ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From EUROPEAN DISABILITY FORUM: Human Rights: Historic Ratification By The European Community (26/11/09): The European Community has just ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Unprecedented step forward for the first human rights treaty ratified in the history of Europe and a great signal sent to all EU Members States. http://www.edf-feph.org/Page_Generale.asp?DocID=13854&thebloc=23109 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From INTERNATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION: Remember Positive And At-Risk LGBT On World AIDS Day: http://digbig.com/5basjc ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From ECRE (European Council on Refugees and Exiles): Statement By The European Commission Against Racism And Intolerance On The Ban Of The Construction Of Minarets In Switzerland (01/12/09): The ECRI wishes to express its deep concern about the results of the Swiss popular initiative which approved the inclusion, in the Federal Constitution, of a new provision banning the construction of minarets. http://digbig.com/5basjf ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From SOROS FOUNDATION: ROMA INITIATIVES: November: Reasons To Remember (30/11/09): The commemorations, reflections and ruminations around the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall and the Velvet revolutions overshadowed another November 20th anniversary of profound historical significance: the United Nations adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. http://digbig.com/5basjh ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From ASSOCIATION FOR WOMEN''S RIGHTS IN DEVELOPMENT (AWID): Women’s Rights Are At The Core Of Addressing The AIDS Pandemic: A recent report by the World Health Organization revealed that AIDS is the leading killer of women of reproductive age in poor and middle- income countries http://digbig.com/5basjw ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ The EQUALITY UPDATES e-newsletter is produced on behalf of the Equality Networks Forum (ENF) The ENF: Glasgow Black and Ethnic Minority Voluntary Sector Network; Glasgow City Council; Glasgow Disability Alliance; Glasgow Women’s Voluntary Sector Network; West of Scotland Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Forum This message may contain information that has been sent to the ENF Communications and Resource Worker by third parties. 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