Vision and Mission

The Race Equality Network aims to create a safe, inclusive and diverse working environment that encourages a culture of respect and equality for all staff regardless of race or ethnicity, in alignment with the University’s commitment to upholding the HEA Anti-Racism Principles in Higher Education.

The REN believes in the power of conversation and connectedness to motivate transformative change. It will work towards providing spaces for those conversations to happen in an open and inclusive manner. The Race Equality Network is welcoming to all UCC staff but has a focus on the lived experiences of race inequality faced by all ethnic minorities/people of colour in our community, including Irish Travellers, and others who might face discrimination on the basis of ethnicity, language, religion, tradition and cultural practices. It also welcomes majority ethnic staff who are committed to being allies and providing support for broader societal change against racism.

It aims to:

1. Create a space to enable solidarity and coalition-building for ethnic minority staff members privately and with allies;
2. Organize events and activities on race equality that will promote networking, information sharing and peer support;
3. Increase the visibility of questions of race inequality in wider society by centring ethnic minorities;
4. Advocate for race equality and anti-racism in the university and as a focal point for conversations internally about curriculum and other developments;
5. Engage with other groups and bodies across the university and beyond, e.g., ULT, Colleges, ACE, staff and student societies in UCC and other further and higher education institutions in Ireland and globally to share information and best practice;
6. Act as a consultation forum on employment and welfare related issues regarding ethnic minorities and race equality for the wider university including Human Resources, and other areas;
7. To encourage and contribute to the development of a culture of allyship and cooperation among all staff, regardless of ethnic background, to work towards a safe, inclusive, and diverse working environment.