TCD marks Anti-Racist Workplace Week 2007

Posted on: 05 November 2007

Anti-Racist Workplace Week 2007 takes place on 5-12 November. Following the success of last year’s Anti-Racist Workplace Week, a series of events has been organised .

“Trinity College Dublin is committed to promoting a respectful work and study environment where all members of the College community can develop their full potential. Respect and dignity in the workplace are key parts of Trinity’s ethic and policies, with a commitment to ensuring that no member of staff or student should suffer discrimination for their gender, religion, age, marital and family status, disability, sexual orientation, race or ethnicity or for being a member of the Traveller Community”, explained Karen Campos McCormack, Equality Officer, TCD.

“Anti-racist Workplace Week is an annual event, which is run by the Equality Authority in the Republic and Northern Ireland, in order to highlight issues of racism in the workplace. Anti-Racist Workplace Week is a key element of the National Action Plan Against Racism, which aims to develop a more inclusive intercultural society in Ireland,” Karen continued.

Events during TCD’s Anti-Racist Workplace Week 2007 include

Guest Speaker
A public talk by Bisi Adigun, director of Arambe Theatre Productions and co-author of the new version of the Playboy of the Western World currently playing in the Abbey, on the topic of ‘Arambe Productions: Re-imagining the fear gorm in the contemporary Irish imagination.’ (Swift Theatre, Monday 12 November at 6.00pm).

Anti-Racism Focus Group
One of the outcomes of last year’s Anti-Racist Workplace Week was the creation of an Anti-Racism Focus Group. The group comprises staff from different areas in College, soon to be enlarged to include more student representation, and has met on several occasions to discuss policy and awareness issues. As part of its on-going activities the group will be holding a special meeting with Counselling Services, Peer Support and the Senior Tutor to discuss responses to harassment or discrimination (November 14).

Photographic Competition
This week also coincides with the photographic competition ‘Changing Perspectives: equality and diversity in my University’ which is taking place in all seven Irish universities to celebrate the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All 2007.

Cross-Cultural Awareness
ICOS, the Irish Council of International Students, is providing a training course to Trinity on ‘Cross Cultural Awareness: skills for working with international students’. The half-day workshop is aimed at student services, tutors, counsellors and other staff who come into contact with students. Places are strictly limited, for further details contact the Equality Officer (11 December 2007).

Racism Free Zone
This year the Equality Authority is promoting a ‘Racism Free Zone’ campaign. College departments and administrative units will be encouraged to take part actively by displaying the materials provided: posters, stickers, postcards and coasters.

For more information, including a time table of events, please visit www.tcd.ie/equality