Closing Ceremony

The For Diversity Against Discrimination campaign was represented at the closing ceremony for the European year for Equal Opportunities for All in Ireland. The event was held in Dublin Castle and attracted a large attendance. Addressing the crowd, the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese paid tribute to organisations and individuals who have made the Year a success adding that while the Year may be coming to an end, the work to make an inclusive and equal society must continue. Niall Crowley, Chief Executive of the Equality Authority, the National Implementing Body for the Year and member of the FDAD National Working Group also paid tribute the dedication, commitment and hard work of all those involved with the Year.

Irish Congress of Trade Unions holds its Biennial Conference

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU), a member of the Irish National Working Group for the For Diversity. Against Discrimination campaign is currently holding its annual Biennial Conference in county Donegal, Ireland.

Over 600 union delegates are attending the conference in Bundoran and the Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister), Bertie Ahern TD will also give a key note address to delegates.

The four-day conference’s primary focus is on equality in the workplace. 

ICTU represents almost 820,000 workers in Ireland and delegates will debate over 70 motions on issues affect both working life and quality of life.

National Working Member holds Diversity Seminar

The Irish national working group member, Irish Business and Employers Conferederation, IBEC, which represents the Irish business community held a highly successful seminar in May on the subject of businesses that have diversity and equality strategies in place benefit from increased productivity and reduced staff turnover.

Professor Patrick Flood of the University of Limerick who addressed the seminar said that research had shown that formal equality and diversity strategies have direct benefits for both employers and employees and that companies reap financial rewards when a diverse workforce is managed well.

The seminar marked the start of an Ibec initiative to encourage a planned approach to diversity in companies. The employers body is establishing a diversity network and will offer regional seminars to highlight good practice in the field.

National working group representative, Finola O’Donnell of IBEC said that Ireland's workforce is becoming more diverse, most obviously through the increased numbers of non-Irish nationals now working here. However, diversity management is about tapping the talent and potential of all employees, including women, older workers and those with disabilities. IBEC is encouraging its members to take a proactive approach to diversity management that will ultimately benefit their bottom line, as well as ensuring equality of opportunity for employees."

Access for All - Towards Best Practice in Accessible Public Services

30 September 2004 (09.30 - 16.30), Tullamore Court Hotel, County Offaly

This conference examined measurable and sustainable methods of maximising accessibility of public services to people with disabilities. The National Disability Authority (NDA) in partnership with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform (DJELR) is working to conclude the development of national guidelines and an award system for the achievement of improved accessibility to public services. Access for All - Towards Best Practice in Accessible Public Services aimed to raise awareness of the barriers to services which people with disabilities face and identify innovative approaches to improving accessibility.

International experts outlined best practice in accessibility and identified how change and improved accessibility has been achieved internationally. Interactive workshops addressed existing and future challenges at a national level in three key areas; access to the Built Environment, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Quality Customer Services (QCS).

The National Disability Authority (NDA) is an independent statutory agency established under the aegis of the Department of Justice, Equality & Law Reform by the National Disability Authority Act 1999.

NDA strives to ensure that the rights and entitlements of people with disabilities are protected. It has the following functions:

1. act as a national body to assist in the coordination and development of disability policy

2. undertake research and develop statistical information for the planning, delivery and monitoring of programmes and services for people with disabilities.

3. advise the Minister on standards for programmes and services and prepare codes of practice

4. monitor the implementation of standards and codes of practice

5. take the lead in both encouraging and recognising the promotion of equality of people with disabilities

Authority members are drawn from all backgrounds and include people with disabilities, parents and carers of people with disabilities and people working in the disability field.