EQUALITY UPDATES 28th January 2010 View online at http://enf.org.uk/blog/ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ GLASGOW NEWS ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL: Glasgow City Council - Draft Budget 2010/11: This is being considered at the Council meeting on 28th January, 1.30pm. A few of the items included are: 10GF36 Grants Integration Project - Work undertaken by the Grants Integration Working Group will allow us to reduce the duplication of grants to external bodies. A 20% reduction is planned over the medium term; 10SW28 Learning Disability Day Centres - Proposals developed by CHCPs would reduce the number of centres to seven; 10SW13 Purchase of Services (excluding Cordia) - This represents a comprehensive review of Purchased Services across all client groups - including a review of nursing home placements - with a view to reducing costs and identifying with providers more efficient services; 10RL16 CSG Efficiency Savings - The CSG Review of Venues proposal includes in an early phase the closure of 12 facilities - Bellrock Community Centre, Invercraig Tenants Hall, Cadder Community Centre, Argo Recreation Centre, Garthamlock Recreation Centre, Cathkin Recreation Centre, Lorne St Community Centre, Overnewton Recreation Centre, Wyndford Recreation Centre, Red Road Recreation Centre, Ledgowan Tenants Hall, and Knightswood Swimming Pool; 10RL18 GCSS Efficiency Savings - Efficiencies in staffing costs; 10RL24 Glasgay For full details go to http://digbig.com/5bbacw (click Item 1 - 2010-11 Revenue and Capital Budget at the top of the page for the Draft Budget document) ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From WOMEN’S SUPPORT PROJECT: Please Save The Women’s Support Project!: The Women’s Support Project’s core funding has been affected by local authority budget cuts, with Glasgow City Council cutting its contribution by 100%. The Project is seeking alternative funding to continue the service, and is also launching this funding appeal based on individual giving. Read on at http://digbig.com/5bbade ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From GIANT: Creative Twilight Training @ The Giant Workshop Space: March 2010: Whether a nursery worker, primary teacher or support worker within mainstream and SEN education, a play worker, or someone who uses creative approaches with children within your group or organisation; then Giant’s twilight training is for you. These two hour sessions are specially developed to allow some time in a busy schedule for some creative inspiration! Book before Monday 1st February then you receive a 25% discount! Book all four courses you get one free AND still receive the 25% discount! Introduction to Creative Play: Thursday 4th March Making Story-time Interactive: Thursday 11th March Making Your Mark: Thursday 18th March From The Prop Box: Thursday 25th March For more information go to or to book contact: 0141 552 8231 | info@giantproductions.org Full description of courses at: http://bit.ly/TrainingGiant Giant are a Glasgow Culture & Sport funded organisation. www.giantproductions.org ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From UNISON: Defend Glasgow’s Services: Lobby Of Council Budget Meeting: Thursday 28 Jan, 12.15pm, City Chambers, George Square. Glasgow City Council and its Arms Length Organisations intend to make significant cuts to services over the next three years. The 2010 cuts include: 12 Community Centres, a Pool and Library to close; Cuts in home care services and support to disabled people; Welfare Rights jobs lost and Community Workers cut by 50%; Grants to voluntary and community organisations slashed; Over 600 jobs in the city lost. The citizens of Glasgow should not be asked to pay for the bail out of the banks and the mistakes of bankers. We need to fightback and defend Glasgow’s services. No cuts in services! Organised by UNISON Glasgow Branch, Public Services Trade Union enquiries@glasgowcityunison.co.uk Tel: 552 7069 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From EQUALITY NETWORK: Hate Campaign: "It’s As If They Want Me Executed" (22/01/10): Bridget McConnell, head of Culture and Sport Glasgow, has been receiving a daily flood of abusive mail since July, when a public row was created over "Made in God''s Image", the religious art exhibition associated with sh[OUT] at the Gallery of Modern Art in Glasgow. The police are concerned at the targeting of McConnell: one group of anti- LGBT campaigners openly declare their intention is to have McConnell removed from her post. McConnell says "The menace, intimidation and misogny expressed in a great deal of the correspondence is deeply worrying." (Times http://digbig.com/5bbacr) ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From GLASGOW COUNCIL FOR THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR: Glasgow In The Making: A season of events celebrating the contribution made to Glasgow’s life - and the city’s development - by the many cultural groups that have settled here. Venue: The Albany, Learning and Conference Centre, 44 Ashley Street, G3 6DS, 7pm to 8pm. Reception from 6.30pm 4 February – Enriching Glasgow: is about the distinct cultural heritages, traditions, faiths and cultures brought to the city by Pakistani families. Bashir Maan, Farkhanda Choudry, and Shamaila Noorane will talk about their experiences of living and working in Glasgow. And, Punjabi artist Bash Khan will be showing his DVD Pardesi Heroes. 18 February – It wisnae us!: Glasgow’s Merchant City, tobacco, the slave trade and abolition. Researcher and author Stephen Mullen takes us on an historical journey of discovery highlighting the largely untold story of Glasgow and slavery. 2 March – ­The Chinese Diaspora in Glasgow: Pamela So artist and founder of Ricefield will use images and words to tell us about the Chinese Diaspora in Glasgow. The work presents the lives of first, second, and third generation Chinese Scots, offering snapshots of their experiences, interests, and history. For this evening, the focus is on Glasgow. 4 March – The Scottish Italians: Talk and film clips presented by Sergio Casci – one of the River City writers - illustrating the expectations, experiences, and successes of different generations of Italian Glaswegians. 16 March – Document 8: the issues platform: A compilation of film clips introducing the work of the International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival and its plans for the future. It is the time that the festival invites film submissions and ideas for the next event. http://www.gcvs.org.uk/whats_new/events/glasgow_in_the_making ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From SENSE SCOTLAND: LUV Fete Returns To TouchBase Saturday 13th February, 12 noon – 4pm, LUV Fete - annual charity fundraiser for Sense Scotland childrens’ services, enter at TouchBase reception on Milnpark Street, Kinning Park (between Portman St. & Middlesex St.) Glasgow G41 1EE http://www.sensescotland.org.uk/news/luv-fete-2010.php ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ SCOTTISH NEWS ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From NHS HEALTH SCOTLAND: Conference: Gender Equality And Health In NHS Scotland: Making The Gender Equality Agenda Fair For All: 23rd February, 09.30 – 4pm (registration 9am), Hilton Grosvenor Hotel, Grosvenor St, Haymarket, Edinburgh EH12 5EF. Keynote speakers: Dr Sarah Payne, Reader in Social Policy, University of Bristol; Professor Alan White, Professor of Men''s Health, Leeds Metropolitan University. The event will focus on the Gender Equality Duty and the effect it has had on the NHS in Scotland over the last two years. It will also consider gender equality issues and themes that the NHS in Scotland can explore and incorporate into future gender equality practice and activity, particularly since public bodies are required to review their Gender Equality Schemes in 2010. Main aims/purpose: Invigorate the gender equality agenda in NHS Scotland; Increase understanding of concepts of gender equity and equality; Highlight examples of practice that demonstrate progress and support the NHS to look at health topics with a gender perspective. The event will be of interest to a wide audience, including NHS equality leads and teams, planners, managers, policy makers and health practitioners with a remit for gender equality across health, local government, equality organisations and the voluntary/community sectors. The audience specifically includes frontline staff and middle/senior managers in targeted settings. A draft version of the programme is available to view here: http://www.healthscotland.com/documents/3977.aspx Parallel sessions will focus on the following topics from a gender perspective: Gender indicators and outcomes; Gender-based violence; Mental health; Transgender equality; Workforce and gender equality; Coronary heart disease. Booking form available by emailing events@health.scot.nhs.uk or call 0131 536 8790. To exhibit in the marketplace area contact Jo Bartlett at jo.bartlett@health.scot.nhs.uk or call 0141 354 2923 Dimensions Of Diversity: Population Differences And Health Improvement Opportunities: This report provides a concise overview of basic information about 13 characteristics or groups of the population of Scotland, linking users to sources of further information. It covers: age, asylum seekers and refugees, carers, disability, ethnicity, language, literacy, migrants, poverty, prisoners, religion and belief, sex and gender, and sexual orientation. There are some data for all population groups, but while much information is robust, much is unsatisfactory, being based on broad estimates, out of date or requiring generalisation to Scotland from the rest of the UK or beyond. The most important, recurring, theme for health improvement is the damage done to mental health and wellbeing by the pervasive and insidious effects of personal prejudice, collective discrimination and structural exclusion. http://www.scotpho.org.uk/diversityreport/ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From CHILDREN IN SCOTLAND: Enquire Conference: Families As Learning Partners: 9th March, Hamilton, South Lanarkshire. This is an important event for all those with an interest in making sure that children and young people having a hard time at school get the extra support they need to achieve their potential. This year the conference theme is ''Families as Learning Partners''. Parents and carers have a key role to play in children''s learning and can have a dramatic positive effect on educational outcomes. This is especially true for those children and young people with additional support needs. Moreover, parental rights are a key strand of the Additional Support for Learning Act. The conference aims to look at the successes and challenges for family/carer involvement. To find out more and book a place, visit http://www.enquire.org.uk/conference/ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From ENGENDER: Women Campaigning For Change: 1st February, 7.30pm – 9.30pm, Committee Room 5 of the Town House, Broad Street, Aberdeen. Free interactive session with Engender in Aberdeen. Engender is a national women''s organisation which champions equality and aims to increase understanding among local women about the budgeting process and how to scrutinise budgetary decisions for their impact on women''s lives. The evening''s programme "Who holds the Purse Strings ?" includes a DVD which shows the real changes that women can make through campaigning. Engender will also up-date us on their report to the UN Commission on progress on the commitments made at the Beijing conference on Women in 1995. Please contact Sandra Bruce by Wednesday 27 January on 523039 or email at sandrab@aberdeencity.gov.uk to book a place ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From CJSCOTLAND: Petition On Extension Of Domestic Abuse Policy To Male Victims: Evidence To Be Taken (28/01/10): http://digbig.com/5bbadd Guidance For Coordinated Working To Prevent Violence Against Women Published By SG (28/01/10): Scottish Government. A Partnership Approach to Tackling Violence Against Women in Scotland: Guidance for Multi–Agency Partnerships (January 2010) http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/01/22135945/0 Scottish Government. Safer Lives: Changed Lives: A Shared Approach to Tackling Violence Against Women in Scotland (June 2009) http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/06/02153519/0 Women’s Support Project Funding Under Threat: Ruth Wishart: A body at real risk that we must save (Herald http://digbig.com/5bbadf) Please save the Women’s Support Project! (GWVSN http://digbig.com/5bbade Stalking Amendment To Criminal Justice Bill Proposed: Stalking to be made a crime in Scotland” Times 26/01/10 http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/scotland/article7000018.ece ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From SCOTTISH TRANSGENDER ALLIANCE: LGBT Lives Seminar: Call For Abstracts: LGBT lives: The biographies and life course of sexual/gender dissidents, 28th May, The University of Edinburgh. You can book a place online at http://www.crfr.ac.uk/events/lgbteventbook.html For more info about submitting an abstract go to: http://www.scottishtrans.org/Article.aspx?id=52 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From EQUALITY NETWORK: Edinburgh: Writing Our Histories: 7 - 9pm, Wednesdays 3rd Feb 17th Feb & 3rd Mar. Jo Clifford, Ellen Galford and Sophia Walker lead three workshops exploring drama, story and poetry. These classes will delve deep into LGBT history and how this comes to life on the page. Booking essential. There will also be a Drop In history talk on Monday 8th Feb 6 - 7pm by Edinburgh''s Living Memory Association. www.lgbthealth.org.uk Edinburgh: Global Politics Of LGBT Human Rights: 7:30-9:30, Mon 1st Feb, at the Quaker Meeting House, Victoria Terrace. Matthew Waites, Senior Lecturer in Sociology at University of Glasgow, talks about the Global Politics of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Human Rights. A Scottish Humanist Society event for LGBT History Month. Contact: edinburgh@humanism-scotland.org.uk ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From SCOTTISH REFUGEE COUNCIL: Big Lottery Funds Groundbreaking New Project For Asylum-Seeking Children (20/01/10): Scottish Refugee Council has been awarded crucial funding from the Big Lottery Fund to help vulnerable unaccompanied children through the asylum process. http://www.scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk/press/ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From INCLUSION SCOTLAND: Public Sector Equality Duty Specific Duties - Inclusion Scotland Response: http://www.inclusionscotland.org/reports.asp ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From SURF: SURF Annual Conference 2010: Sustaining And Reinventing Community Regeneration: Wednesday 24th & Thursday 25th March, Edinburgh http://www.scotregen.co.uk/events/default.asp?ItemID=1099 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From SCOTTISH WOMEN’S AID: Accredited Learning Opportunity – Gender Justice, Masculinities & Violence: 15th & 16th February and 3rd & 4th May. Scottish Women’s Aid and Queen Margaret University have collaborated to develop an credit rated module validated by Queen Margaret University. The aims of the module are: To introduce an overview of gender based violence as global and social injustice; To explore and critically examine explanatory frameworks for understanding male violence against women; To explore and critically examine the links between theory and practice in tackling male violence against women; To provide a foundation for critical reflection and engaged action in commitment to gender justice. For further information and an application form please contact Nel on 0131 226 1633. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT: Equal Opportunities Committee: 26 January 2010 2nd Meeting, 2010: Includes items: 3. Economic impact of migration/trafficking: The committee will take evidence, in a round-table discussion, from Gordon Smail, Portfolio Manager (Local Government), Audit Scotland; Mhoraig Green, Policy Officer, Cosla’s Strategic Migration Partnership; Chris Oswald, Head of Policy & Parliamentary Affairs, Equality and Human Rights Commission; Dave Moxham, Deputy General Secretary, STUC; Elaine Dougall, Regional Women & Equalities Organiser, Unite the Union; and then from Inspector Brian Gibson, and Superintendent David Stewart, ACPOS; Jane Renton, HM Assistant Chief Inspector, HMIE; Heather Rolfe, Research Fellow, the National Institute of Economic and Social Research; Seonad Forbes, Project Coordinator, New Migrants Action Project, Positive Action in Housing; Cathie Cowan, Director, South-East Glasgow Community Health Care and Partnership. 4. Sexualised imagery in goods aimed at children: The Committee will consider a draft report. Proposed future business: At its next meeting on 9 February, it is expected that the Committee will consider a response from the Scottish Government on its report into female offenders in the criminal justice system and its work programme. http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/s3/committees/equal/index.htm ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT: Cornton Vale Prison and YOI report (27/01/10): Inspection finds prison not up to standard and fails to provide adequate conditions. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2010/01/26103853 Report: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/01/15135941 Response To Cornton Vale Report (27/01/10): Inspection highlights challenges of overcrowding in women''s jail. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2010/01/26112700 Self-directed Support (Direct Payments), Scotland, 2009 (26/01/10): http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/01/25130907 Lessons From The Fairer Scotland Fund (21/01/10): Case study 84: Tackling Concentrated Disadvantage in Dumfries and Galloway: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/01/21103206 Case study 85: Tackling Concentrated Disadvantage in South Lanarkshire http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/01/21103334 Case study 86: Tackling Concentrated Disadvantage in Clackmannanshire http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/01/21103607 Case study 88:Tackling Concentrated Disadvantage in Moray http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/01/21103740 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ UK NEWS ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From UK PARLIAMENT: Equality Bill: Day Four Of Lords Committee Stage (26/01/10): House of Lords defeated Government on three votes on employment and religion http://digbig.com/5bbaek Committee Questions Minister On Human Trafficking (26/01/10): Human Rights Committee follows-up earlier work on human trafficking with Alan Campbell http://digbig.com/5bbaej Fuel Poverty Inquiry Announced (23/01/10): http://news.parliament.uk/2010/01/fuel-poverty-inquiry-announced/ Debate On Progress Made Preventing Violence Against Women (23/01/09): Vera Baird reports on how Government has been tackling prevention of violence against women http://digbig.com/5bbaeh ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From EQUALITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION: Launch Of Detailed Research Into Inequalities (27/01/10): The Commission welcomed today''s report by the National Equality Panel, which it believes is the most detailed research yet completed into the complex nature of inequality and disadvantage. http://digbig.com/5bbafh Fundamental Changes To Employment Policies Proposed To Benefit Older Workers (25/01/10): The Commission is today launching a set of proposals for fundamental changes to employment policies to open up more work opportunities for older Britons and address the challenges of an ageing workforce. http://digbig.com/5bbafg European Court Decision On Voting Rights Yet To Be Implemented (25/01/10): The Equality and Human Rights Commission has intervened in a case in the European Court of Human Rights which concerns whether prisoners should have the right to vote. http://digbig.com/5bbaff Voluntary Measures Proposed For Publishing Pay Gaps (19/01/10): Employers that choose to analyse and report publicly their gender pay gaps will receive limited immunity from investigation, the Commission has announced today. http://digbig.com/5bbafe ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From EQUALITY NETWORK: Equality Bill: Discrimination Claimed As A Religious Obligation (27/01/10) Today the House of Lords debates an Equality Bill exemption (27/01/10) that would allow taxpayer funded faith schools in England and Wales to discriminate far more in employment than private organisations with a religious ethos. (Ekklesia http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/11113) This exemption is opposed by the Accord Coalition for inclusive schooling. www.accordcoalition.org.uk Savi Hensman says "The bishops have been energetic in resisting attempts to clarify equality law in line with the European Union''s requirements and what many would regard as basic decency. Churches are allowed to discriminate against lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) people in appointing ministers of religion and recruiting for a limited range of lay posts. But senior clergy have become concerned that faith-based organisations might not have enough freedom to exclude those who do not fit their ''guiding doctrine and ethos''" Read on at Guardian http://digbig.com/5bbacs ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From NATIONAL LGBT FORUM: House Of Lords Decision To Approve Amendments To The Equality Bill (27/01/10): Rev Sharon Ferguson, Chief Executive of the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement (LGCM) has denounced the reactionary vote in the House of Lords to approve amendments to the Equality Bill which will enable churches and other religious bodies to discriminate in matters of employment. Read the press release at http://digbig.com/5bbaee http://www.scottishlgbt.org/Events/News ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From GOVERNMENT EQUALITIES OFFICE: Government Responds To National Equality Panel Report (26/01/10): The Government today welcomed a comprehensive new report on inequality which shows that the trend of rising growth in inequality dating back to the 1980''s has been halted and that, as a result of policy action, progress has been made to tackle poverty and make Britain a fairer society. http://www.wired-gov.net/wg/wg-news-1.nsf/lfi/410621 The National Equality Panel Report (27/01/10): An Anatomy of Economic Inequality in the UK, was published today. The Panel sets out evidence on the relationships between inequalities in people''s economic outcomes - such as earnings, income and wealth - and their characteristics and circumstances - such as gender, age, ethnicity - and the ways in which who you are affect the resources and opportunities available to you. http://www.equalities.gov.uk/news/national_equality_panel_report.aspx Ending Age Discrimination In Services And Public Functions - A Consultation (27/01/10): http://www.equalities.gov.uk/news/age_consultation.aspx Equality Bill: Making It Work Policy Proposals For Specific Duties Policy Statement (25/01/10): http://www.equalities.gov.uk/news/policy_statement-_spec_duties.aspx ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From STONEWALL: Stonewall Statement On The Equality Bill''s Progression In The House Of Lords (26/01/10): http://www.stonewall.org.uk/media/current_releases/3642.asp FIT: First Ever Film For Schools To Tackle Homophobia (22/01/10): http://www.stonewall.org.uk/media/current_releases/3638.asp ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From FAWCETT: Leading Women Rights Campaign Calls For Government Action On Both Class And Gender Inequalities (27/01/10): Speaking at the launch of the independent National Equality Panel report today, The Fawcett''s Society''s Chief Executive, Ceri Goddard, will highlight the importance of tackling the stark economic and class inequalities revealed by the report. http://www.fawcettsociety.org.uk//index.asp?PageID=1041 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From MINISTRY OF JUSTICE: Combined Fund To Support Victims Of Sexual Violence (27/01/10): Government funding for voluntary agencies that provide support to victims of sexual violence will be streamlined with the establishment of a one-year combined fund for 2010/11. http://www.wired-gov.net/wg/wg-news-1.nsf/lfi/DNWA-824LTX ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From LEMOS & CRANE: Gypsy And Traveller Communities: Effective Service Models In Housing, Health, Education, And Policing: 9 June, Inmarsat Conference Centre, 99 City Road, London EC1Y 1AX ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From RETHINK: Charity Victory Heralds New Dawn For Job Applicants With Mental Health Problems (18/01/10): Mental health charity Rethink is celebrating today in light of the government’s decision to ban employers from asking job applicants about their medical history prior to inviting them for interview. http://digbig.com/5bbafc ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From RAPE CRISIS ENGLAND & WALES: Government Funding Announcements - Services For Victims Of Sexual Violence And Abuse (28/01/10): The Office for Criminal Justice Reform and the Government Equalities Office have joined forces to create a single fund for voluntary sector organisations that provide support to victims of sexual violence and abuse. http://www.rapecrisis.org.uk/news_show.php?id=40 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From WOMEN’S NATIONAL COMMISSION: Consultation On Single Sex Services: Women have been telling us that they are worried about their women-only services. We know that women value services provided by other women because their needs would not be met if women-only services did not exist. We wanted to ask you about your experience of women-only services: whether you would choose a women-only service, should you need to. Your help on this would be really valuable and enable us to tell Government how important they are for you. Deadline 2nd March http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/R86N6BF ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From JOSEPH ROWNTREE FOUNDATION: Could Online Marketplaces Tackle Poverty?: The case for accessible Internet marketplaces which could create economic opportunities for people in poverty. http://www.jrf.org.uk/publications/online-marketplaces-poverty ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From RADAR: Lynn Gilderdale And Assisted Suicide: Hard Cases Make Bad Law (27/01/10): Amidst the clamour for the laws on assisted suicide to be changed following the case of Lynn Gilderdale, RADAR wishes to state its commitment to the principle that those who have a hand in the death of another person, regardless of that person’s disability or the stated motivation of the perpetrator, should have to answer for their actions before a court of law. http://www.radar.org.uk/radarwebsite/ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From EMPLOYERS'' FORUM ON DISABILITY: Making The Most Of The Talents Of Disabled People Is Crucial To Tackling Inequality (27/01/10): Employers and policymakers need to work together to develop the talents of disabled people if inequalities are to be tackled, says Employers'' Forum on Disability (EFD). http://digbig.com/5bbafb ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From MENCAP: Mencap Response To Andrew Gardner Verdict (25/01/10): "We are appalled and saddened to see that yet again, a vulnerable adult with a learning disability has been forced to live in misery, and ultimately had his life taken by his tormentors. http://www.mencap.org.uk/news.asp?id=12926&pageno=&year=&menuId=91 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From MIND: Why I Love Being An Inpatient (25/01/10): The chance of a break from having to internally manage my self- demolition urges is irresistible. http://www.mind.org.uk/blog/2816_why_i_love_being_an_inpatient Men And Mental Health Conference (25/01/10): Mind and Men''s Health Forum are running a conference on how men''s mental health needs can be met. http://www.mind.org.uk/news/2817_men_and_mental_health_conference Police Mental Health Champion Wins Social Justice Commendation (22/01/10): PC Richard Harwin has been Commended by the Una Padel Award for his work with City and Hackney Mind. http://digbig.com/5bbaeb Racial Equality In Mental Health Stuck At A Standstill (21/01/10): The results of the Care Quality Commission''s latest Count me in census. http://digbig.com/5bbaea ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From INSTITUTE FOR RACE RELATIONS: The Reality Behind The ''Knife Crime'' Debate (27/01/10): The media portrayal of, and government response to, the ''knife crime epidemic'' creates a distorted image of the reality on the ground, according to new research undertaken by the Institute of Race Relations http://www.irr.org.uk/2010/january/bw000027.html Putting John Denham''s Speech In Context (21/01/10): How progressive is John Denham''s apparent shift from ''race'' to class strategies? http://www.irr.org.uk/2010/january/ha000024.html Experiences Of Black Teenagers In Prison (21/01/10): The disproportionately high number of Black teenagers in custody is growing and this group is still more likely to face negative treatment than young White people, according to a recent report. http://www.irr.org.uk/2010/january/ha000025.html Plans For Third Detention Centre Near Gatwick Meet Opposition (21/01/10): Controversial plans for a removal centre in Crawley have come under fire from local campaigners. http://www.irr.org.uk/2010/january/ha000026.html Compensation For Some, Deportation For Others? (21/01/10): The High Court''s acknowledgement that control orders based on secret evidence are unlawful, and the possibility of compensation for those affected, doesn''t help those facing deportation on the basis of secret evidence. http://www.irr.org.uk/2010/january/ha000023.html ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From GAY AND LESBIAN HUMANIST ASSOCIATION: Gay Humanists Question “Rasputin” Tactics Of Religious Lobby (21/01/10): GALHA has queried the last-ditch tactics of religious lobbyists trying to extend the "religious opt outs" to the Equality Bill currently before the House of Lords. http://digbig.com/5bbafd ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From PINK NEWS: National Trans Police Association Criticised Over State Funding (27/01/10): http://digbig.com/5bbaex David Cameron Says Children Should Be Taught About Gay Relationships (27/01/10): Tory leader David Cameron told a recent meeting on education that schoolchildren should be taught about gay relationships and equality. http://digbig.com/5bbaew Government Will Consider Religious Civil Partnerships (26/01/10): The government has agreed to consider allowing civil partnerships to be held in religious premises after a debate in the House of Lords last night. http://digbig.com/5bbaes Social Attitudes Survey Finds Far Greater Acceptance Of Homosexuality (26/01/10): http://digbig.com/5bbaer Government Defeated In 3 Votes Over The Ability Of Churches To Deny Jobs To Gay People (25/01/10): The Government tonight lost three votes in the House of Lords over legislation that would have restricted the ability of churches to deny jobs to LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgenered) people. http://digbig.com/5bbaeq Senior Bishops Call On Lords To Retain Gay Employment Exemptions (25/01/10): http://digbig.com/5bbaep Ann Widdecombe Says Gay Laws Threaten Christian Freedom Of Speech (25/01/10): http://digbig.com/5bbaen ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ INTERNATIONAL NEWS ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AGENCY: New FRA Study On Holocaust And Human Rights Education Released In Auschwitz (27/01/10): At a Ministerial Conference being held in Auschwitz from 26-28 January, the FRA is releasing the findings of the first ever EU-wide study on the role of historical sites and museums in teaching about the Holocaust and human rights. http://fra.europa.eu/fraWebsite/home/infocus10_2701_en.htm ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From DECADE OF ROMA INCLUSION: "Life on the Edge" Documentaries Now Online (27/01/10): Full versions of two films produced by tve with support from the OSI Roma Decade Matching Fund are now available on this website. The documentaries followed filmmaker Arpad Bogdan as he explored his own identity and looked for answers to a series of murders of Roma in Hungary. http://www.romadecade.org/life_on_the_edge_documentaries_now_online ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From EUROPEAN COUNCIL ON REFUGEES AND EXILES: Dutch Council For Refugees Welcomes Better Protection (28/01/10): The Dutch Council of State, the highest Court in asylum cases in The Netherlands, has ruled that indiscriminate violence in the area of Mogadishu, in Somalia, has reached such a level that anyone who is returned there can be at risk. http://www.ecre.org/resources/press_releases ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From SIYANDA: 30 Years Of The Convention On The Elimination Of All Forms Of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), Issue No. 83, Dec 2009 - Jan 2010: http://www.siyanda.org/ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From UNIFEM: Online Discussion – Women in Power and Decision-Making (19/01/10): …. part of a series of UN online discussions hosted by WomenWatch, dedicated to the fifteen-year review of the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995), as well as outcomes of the twenty-third special session of the General Assembly (2000). The discussion will run for four weeks and address the following issues: 20–27January: Achievements; 28 January – 4 February: Gaps and Challenges; 5–12 February: Future Actions; 12–18 February: Summary of the Discussions http://www.unifem.org/news_events/story_detail.php?StoryID=1013 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 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. While we do everything possible to ensure the transmission of accurate and appropriate material, we do not take responsibility for its content. 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