Why is Race Equality Week important?
Last year was the first time Southwark had participated in Race Equality Week. The council used the opportunity to deliver events that were designed to promote the importance of individual accountability, and highlight key actions that staff could undertake to actively contribute towards tackling racism and discrimination within the workplace. Southwark will continue to celebrate Race Equality Week as we recognise that there is still more work that needs to be done to address racial inequalities whilst promoting the importance of workplace equality through a variety of events that both educate and engage staff across the workforce.
Why is this year’s Race Equality Week theme #ActionNotJustWords so important?
Accountability and responsibility are central to ensuring we actively embed change for the long term. This year’s theme resonates with Southwark as we recognise that empowering our colleagues and encouraging them to get involved and facilitate action is essential for improving the experience of our Black, Asian and ethnic minority colleagues and the residents that use our services. The Council has already committed to proactively implementing change through our Southwark Stands Together programme. The aim of the programme is to tackle and eliminate racial inequalities both within the workforce and our local communities.
What are Southwark's plans for Race Equality Week?
The council will be marking this occasion with a week-long series of virtual events, seminars and interactive discussion forums that will focus on race, intersectionality and several common issues. The following events will be taking place:
- A career conversation event which aims to inspire our Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic colleagues to reach senior-level positions in the council
- Dyslexia and Race Webinar
- Socialising the council’s new EDI workforce statement
- Playback session on the Annual Workforce Report
- An update on our Southwark Stands Together programme
Southwark Council's plans for REW 2022
What do you hope to achieve as a result?
The overall aim is to provide real experiences and valuable as well as practical information that will make a positive impact on our staff. We are aiming to achieve this by delivering a variety of engaging events to encourage and facilitate discussions amongst our workforce, so colleagues can understand their role with facilitating meaningful change. As well promoting the work that the council has done over the last 12 -16 months to address inequalities amongst the workforce.