EHRC & RELIGION OR BELIEF

Wayne Vincent & Steve Bennett

Equality and Human Rights Commission

in Wales

Who are we?

• Set up by the Equality Act 2006

• Launched October 2007

• Statutory body

• Operating in Wales, Scotland & England

• Supported by statutory committees for disability, Scotland and Wales

Our vision

• A society built on fairness and respect

• People confident in all aspects of their diversity

Our aims

• Reduce inequality and discrimination in all its forms

• Strengthen good relations

• Promote and protect human rights

What we do

• Develop understanding and evidence

• Influence the development of the law and government policy

• Promote good practice

• Award grants

• Foster better relationships

• Campaign, events and communication

• Provide advice and helpline service

• Enforce the law

Bringing People Together• Spoke and listened at over 150 events

• Equality Exchange

• Who do you see?

• Allocated over 730,000 to grass roots organisations in Wales

• Human Rights Inquiry and summit

• Partnerships and collaboration

Reflections

• Link between groups

• Leadership

• Education

• Workplace

• Public services

EHRC and the religion or belief agenda Thematic and cross mandate

Human Rights Framework

Shared values and principles

Good relations

Working together

Research

Legal

Grants

Consulting on our strategic priorities and three year plan

• Building a society without prejudice - promoting good relations and fostering a vibrant equality and human rights culture in Britain

• A fairer Britain for all - reducing the gap in outcomes to secure fair life chances, access to services and dignified treatment

• Secure and implement an effective legislative and regulatory framework for equality and human rights

Consulting on our strategic priorities and three year plan

• Promote awareness and understanding of rights

• Build an authoritative and responsive organisation

RoB Prioities in Wales

• What are the major issues that need to be addressed in Wales from a religion or belief perspective?

• What do you see as the EHRC’s unique role if any in addressing the issues identified?

EHRC Helpline Wales

• Bilingual Service

• Phone:0845 604 8810

• Wales Textphone:0845 604 8820

• E-mail:

waleshelpline@equalityhumanrights.com