DPR News
Signing of Anti-Racism Principles for Irish Higher Education Institutions
University College Cork (UCC) has reaffirmed its commitment to challenging racism and embedding a culture of race equality by signing the Anti-Racism Principles for Irish Higher Education.
UCC President Professor John O’Halloran officially signed the principles at an event with representatives from the Higher Education Authority which launched the Anti-Racism Principles for Irish Higher Education Institutions earlier this year.
The Principles seek to challenge race inequality across higher education and call on HEI leadership to actively acknowledge that race inequality exists in higher education and acknowledge the power of universities to take action and to influence Irish society.
UCC is committed to enhancing diversity and promoting equality and inclusion amongst all staff and students. By signing up to these Principles, UCC acknowledges that race inequality exists in Irish higher education institutions and undertakes to embed a commitment to substantive race equality as part of the institutional culture and strategic priorities.
Speaking at the signing, UCC President Professor O’Halloran said: “We acknowledge that the progressive achievement of equality for staff and students can only be realised through meaningful action. By endorsing these principles, UCC aims to be a leader of positive change, to embed and drive anti-racism initiatives and policies that focus on long-term culture change.”
By singing up for the Principles, UCC commits to action across key areas including – a commitment to embedding race equality as part of the university’s culture and strategic priorities; educating staff and students in relation to structural, institutional, and historical dimensions of racism, as well as individual racism seen in acts of abuse and discrimination; fostering an intersectional and intercultural approach when developing anti-racism actions and policies.
UCC established the first Race Equality Forum in an Irish HEI in 2019 with the aim of listening to and learning from the experiences of staff and student of racial and ethnic minorities, learning from their experiences and ensuring UCC a welcoming space. This Forum was set as part of a joint priority action between the UCC Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Unit and the UCC Equality Committee in response to an identified need for anti-racist action to improve race equality across higher education.