Bringing people together
We are pleased to announce the publication of our first full year business plan, following its approval by our Board of Commissioners.
About the business plan
The plan sets out our aims and strategic priorities for our first full year of operation: what we see as our 'take-off' period. It describes what we want to do, how our work is relevant to Britain's entire population and how we will use our resources to best effect.
This plan is about bringing people together - working with others to narrow equality gaps, breaking down barriers between communities and tackling the root causes of prejudice and intolerance. It focuses on the need, for all who live in Britain, to have a deeper sense of mutual commitment and respect based on shared values with fairness at their core.
This commitment runs through all aspects of our plan and the work we will carry out over the next 12 months.
You can download a copy of the business plan below.
If you would like to order a printed copy of the business plan or if you need it in an alternative format please contact one of our helplines.
Our priorities and key delivery targets for 2008/9
We have four strategic priorities:
- Analyse, define and target key equality and human rights challenges
- Change policy and organisational practice to provide better public services alongside and efficient and dynamic economy
- Engage and involve the public from disadvantaged communities and areas
- Anticipate social change, develop new narratives and reach new audiences in ways that strengthen equality and human rights
To help us achieve our strategic priorities we have developed 12 key delivery targets to cover all areas of our work. These range from lobbying for landmark legislation, including a new Equality Act, to developing a multimedia digital strategy.
What you have told us so far and how we used your responses
To develop the plan we worked closely with our Commissioners, staff and stakeholders to gain their views on our strategic direction. In January and February 2008 we ran a series of events for stakeholders in Cardiff, Glasgow, London and Manchester, and over 70 organisations sent representatives. We have tried to include as many of the things that you have told us as possible in our business plan and many of the issues raised will form the basis of discussions over the next year on our strategic plan.
What happens next
Over the next 12 months we will continue to work with and involve a range of organisations across all areas of our remit to create our first three-year strategic plan. By ‘involve’ we mean ways of engaging with people that go beyond traditional paper-based consultation. We will use innovative methods of reaching people to help us work with as many different groups and individuals as possible.
Our forthcoming strategic plan will determine our long-term priorities, such as how we use our enforcement powers, and will help us to shape key debates. It will also explore how we strengthen positive attitudes towards diversity and human rights.
Contacting us
If you would like further information about our business plan, or to comment on it, email us at businessplanning@equalityhumanrights.com or write to:
Business Planning Team
Equality and Human Rights Commission
2nd Floor Arndale House
Arndale Centre
Manchester
M4 3AQ
Or you can call one of our helpline numbers