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CERES: Centre for Education for Racial Equality in Scotland 
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RESPONSE FROM THE CENTRE FOR EDUCATION FOR RACIAL EQUALITY IN SCOTLAND (CERES)
CERES appreciates the opportunity to comment on the Scottish Parliament's proposal for mainstreaming equality issues and perspectives in its committee structure and processes.
Overall, the mainstreaming initiative is welcomed as an important element in achieving a more inclusive and social justice oriented approach to the initiating, overseeing and monitoring of the effects of legislation, and in the scrutiny of the activities of the Scottish Executive.
SPECIFIC COMMENTS
Introduction
(1)The Equal Opportunities Committee(EOC) paper provides a clear and helpful introduction emphasising the importance of embedding equality perspectives in the key roles and functions of Parliamentary committees
(2)Point13 of the Introduction it is acknowledged that the production and the issue of the Mainstreaming Equality Guidelines is the beginning of a process 'encourage...committees to use them'. CERES is aware that the EOC and the Equality Unit recognise that the achievement of equality outcomes is an interactive, dynamic and developmental process which is in some areas long term, in others, less so CERES therefore wishes to encourage the Parliament to implement the proposed guidelines as comprehensively as is possible and supports the provision of high quality equality/diversity training (point13 Introduction) to all political and civil service personnel who staff committees.
Such training should be seen as one element in bringing about a 'culture change' in an institution's approach to mainstreaming equality, the aim of which is to minimise tokenism and the 'tick-box' response to implementation, while encouraging an informed and empathetic orientation to eliminating discrimination and promoting equal opportunities.
The programme of staff development currently being undertaken by Scottish police forces in response to the Stephen Lawrence Enquiry may provide valuable insights in this field. We stress the importance of recruiting trainers who are competent in training methodology but more importantly should have analysis and experience of subtle forms of discrimination as well as a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practice behind mainstreaming.
CERES would be pleased to share our training expertise and our expertise on equality issues in Scotland with officers in the Scottish Parliament who are taking forward staff development for MSPs and others in this area.
(3)Equality Guideline 1-Primary Legislation. The Guideline is seen as a valuable contribution towards the aims of inclusiveness. In encouraging responsiveness to the 'integration of EO principles, strategies and practice'(Introduction, point6) into the framing and implementation of legislation .It should assist in reducing the marginalisation and disempowerment of key groups of people living in Scotland.
However it will be in terms of its practical impact that the Guideline will be judged. If it results in effectively widening access to the law-making process, thereby producing better legislative outcomes with less negative(if 'unwitting') effects it will be of value. If its requirements are taken on board only grudgingly, the effects will be negligible or even negative-should cynicism set in.
To maximise the positive impact of the Guideline will ,in CERES's view, require a sustained, committed and skillful effort on the part of those supporting the initiative. CERES would be pleased to play our part in providing support particularly in the area of race equality and education.
(4)Equality Guideline 2-Information Base
CERES fully supports the development of an appropriate EO-related data base and is encouraged that the resources of the Central Research Unit are being applied to this task.
CERES considers that the gathering and refinement of data in the equalities field, vital as it is in the framing and monitoring of policy, should be accompanied by greater interaction and interchange between the Scottish Parliament and those representing the variety of Scotland's communities. The heightened significance given to improving information on the constantly developing field of equality legislation is also welcomed.
(5)Equality Guideline3-Consultation
The specific attention to EO considerations in the consultation processes undertaken by committees is welcomed and viewed as a concrete step towards inclusiveness.
CERES believes that the value of embedding EO in a wider consultation process outweighs any difficulties, which may be encountered. Again, it should produce better outcomes in terms of legislation, enquiries and scrutiny. It will be important, however, to ensure that there is a genuine broadening of access for those formerly unrepresented.
GENERAL COMMENTS
CERES supports the mainstreaming initiative both as a sign that a lead in this field is being given 'from the top' and, hopefully, as a practical measure which will improve the attention given by the Scottish Parliament to equality issues.
CERES does not see these matters as marginal but rather as at the core of questions relating to Scottish identity, and of decisions regarding the economy, social relations, the law and education.
The field of education and race equality is our particular concern, where greater awareness of and attention to such factors as language diversity, access to learning opportunities/employment and curriculum content (among many others) could eventually result in a better understood and resourced multicultural and anti-racist educational environment in Scotland.
We believe that in mainstreaming equality issues in the business of its committees the Scottish Parliament is taking a mature and important step in improving its efficacy across the spectrum of its activities. Too often the inclusion of an equality perspective has been 'ad hoc' and dependant on the commitment and presence of particular individuals, mainstreaming, if conducted routinely and seriously will begin to institutionalize equality issues.
September 11 2002
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE CERES RESPONSE, PLEASE CONTACT
ALAN BELL, DEVELOPMENT OFFICER CERES, Charteris 2:5 Moray House School of Education University of Edinburgh Edinburgh EH8 8AQ Tel: 0131 651 6371 Fax: 0131 651 6511 E-mail: Alan.Bell@ed.ac.uk