Engaging Diversity

Successful conferences sharing diversity best practice

We’re pleased to report that both Engaging Diversity conferences proved to be a valuable, well-attended events. Over 150 delegates joined us in Cardiff and Llandudno to hear the results of the project and from top level speakers conveying their ideas about diversity, equality and learning.

Both conferences were officially opened by current AMs. In Cardiff, Gareth Jones AM, expressed how important it is that Wales “has a modern workforce with positive inclusive attitudes towards promoting equality of opportunity and combating discrimination”. In Llandudno, Mark Isherwood AM emphasised the “real and pressing need” for diversity training in the workforce in Wales.

Highlights in Cardiff included Kate Bennett, Wales Director of the Equality and Human Rights Commission revealing how the new commission will help us to build a more equal Wales. Also, Andy Klom, from the European Commission Office in Wales also provided useful insight into the European perspective for diversity and the history of the EU. Dr John Fazey from the Oxford Learning Institute introduced different approaches to learning.

In Llandundo, Judy Ling Wong CBE (Director, Black Environment Network) gave an inspirational talk discussing how we could bring passion and excitement into the subject of diversity and how we could help people to look upon it as an ‘adventure’ rather than a duty . Anna Morgan, Training Advisor at the Welsh Local Government Association gave an ‘insider view’ of difficulties training advisors can face when trying to raise awareness of diversity.

Delegates also heard the main conclusions of the Engaging Diversity Project from project leader, Pete Butler. It was an opportunity to learn about key aspects such as effectively raising awareness, approaches to eLearning deployment and best use of eLearning communities and the learning platform.
During the afternoon session, delegates joined workshops led by practitioners where they were able to explore the practicalities of implementing eLearning and engaging people with diversity learning.

The findings and achievements of the project represent a 2½ year commitment from our partners working together to develop powerful eLearning and help people of all different backgrounds to engage with diversity issues. We would like thank everyone who has helped to make the project and conferences a success.

We’re pleased to report that our first conference for sharing the results of Engaging Diversity proved to be a valuable, well-attended event. Over 100 delegates representing a range of organisations and disciplines joined us in Cardiff to hear the results of the project and from top level speakers conveying their ideas about diversity, equality and learning.

Gareth Jones AM, Chair of the Enterprise and Learning Committee opened the event and discussed the importance of building a workforce in Wales that understands diversity issues. Kate Bennett Wales Director of the Equality and Human Rights Commission explained how the new commission will help us to build a more equal Wales. Andy Klom, from the European Commission Office in Wales also provided useful insight into the European perspective for diversity and the history of the EU. Dr John Fazey from the Oxford Learning Institute introduced different approaches to learning.

Delegates also heard the main conclusions of Engaging Diversity from project leader, Pete Butler. It was an opportunity to learn about key aspects such as effectively raising awareness, approaches to eLearning deployment and best use of eLearning communities and the learning platform. Delegates watched presentations of the learning modules and tried out lessons themselves during the lunchtime session.
The findings and achievements of the project represent a 2½ year commitment from our partners working together to develop compelling eLearning and help people of all different backgrounds to engage with diversity issues. Sharing our experiences and gaining feedback from the wider community of diversity, learning and HR practitioners during workshops sessions was an especially useful. We would like to thank everyone who joined us in Cardiff for helping making the day a success.

Full conference reports will be available shortly in the ‘Results’ section of this website. You can also watch the keynote presentations from the event via our webcasts which will be available soon.

Mark Isherwood AM, Member – Equality Committee, WAG

Born in 1959, Mark lives in Flintshire, North Wales, with his wife Hilary and their six children. Before election to the National Assembly for Wales in 2003, he was employed as a Building Society Area Manager in North Wales.

A politics graduate of Newcastle University, Mark is also an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers. Mark takes a keen interest in economic, current and social affairs. He is a former Treuddyn Community Councillor, former School Governor (and Chair) of Ysgol Parc y Llan and former Voluntary Board Member of Venture Housing Association, where he remains a Member.

Mark is also the Ambassador in Wales for the Royal School for the Deaf, Ambassador for the Girl Guides Clwyd, Vice President of the North Wales Play and Playing Fields Association, Patron of the Tyddyn Bach Respite Centre in Conwy and the founder of CHANT (Community Hospitals Acting Nationally Together).

Judy Ling Wong, FRSA. OBE, Director BEN UK

Judy Ling Wong is the UK Director of Black Environment Network, an organisation with an international reputation as the pioneer in the field of ethnic participation in the built and natural environment. BEN works across diverse sectors, integrating social, cultural and environmental concerns. Judy is a major voice on policy towards social inclusion. Her contribution includes membership of the DCMS Historic Environment Executive Committee, ODPM Urban Green Spaces Task Force, National Trust Council, and the IUCN/WCPA Task Force for Cities and Protected Areas.

In June 2000 she was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire OBE as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to ethnic environmental participation. In 2003, she was made Honorary Fellow of the Chartered Institution for Water and Environmental Management. In 2005, she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Gloucester.

Anna Morgan, Training Advisor, Equalities and Social Justice Team, Welsh Local Government Association

Anna has been appointed as the Training Advisor for the Welsh Local Government Association Equalities Team since 2003. Prior to this she worked as the deputy head of the Diversity Training Team with South Wales Police. As a qualified police trainer and development officer, Anna has also successfully completed the Home Office Specialist Support Unit Community and Race Relations Trainers Course.

With an academic background in Post Compulsory Education and Training, Anna has a very keen interest in adult learning. Her current role gives her an opportunity to work across Wales at a national and strategic level, advising local authorities and the wider local government family in relation to equalities training and development.

Kate Bennett - Wales Director, Equality & Human Rights Commission

Kate became Director of the Equal Opportunities Commission in Wales shortly after the establishment of the Assembly in 1999. Prior to this she worked as a full time trade union official with MSF, as a community campaign worker and as a research journalist. She studied Industrial Relations with Politics and Government at the University of Kent.

Kate is committed to working with others to eliminate discrimination and promote equality for all women and men in Wales, whatever their background or lifestyle. Kate believes we will be able to transform Wales, economically and socially, if equality is central to policy making and public service delivery.

Gareth Jones AM - Chair – Enterprise & Learning Committee, Welsh Assembly Government

Gareth Jones was born in Blaenau Ffestiniog in 1939 and currently lives in Conwy. A former secondary school headmaster, Gareth graduated with a BA from the University of Wales, Swansea and is leader of the Plaid Cymru Group at Conwy County Borough Council.

Gareth has held several posts within Plaid Cymru. A member of the party's National Executive Committee, Gareth was Assembly Member for Conwy between 1999 and 2003 and was Shadow Minister for Education.

View video of Gareth Jones at Cardiff

Andy Klom, Head of the European Commission Office in Wales

Andy Klom was appointed as the Head of the European Commission Office in Wales in 2005. He is a civil servant of the European Commission, which has 35 representational offices throughout the 27 Member States of the European Union. Since joining the European Commission in 1993, Andy Klom spent most of his career working in the European Commission's External Relations department, which is in charge of the EU’s relations with countries outside of the EU. He was responsible for a variety of negotiations and diplomatic relations with Latin American countries (Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Mercosur), but has also worked on EU energy policy. Before he joined the European Commission Mr Klom worked for the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and for an international bank based in the Netherlands.

Andy Klom was born to Dutch parents in Queensland, Australia, but has lived and worked for most of his life in Europe or the Americas. He currently speaks six languages and is now working on his seventh (Cymraeg).

Discover how the latest learning technologies will help us to build the diversity aware workforce in Wales at our free 1 day conferences:

Unable to attend? Click here for a free demonstration of the diversity training emodules

29 November – Cardiff, Marriott Hotel

4 December – Llandudno, Venue Cymru

Today’s workplaces are rich in diversity and bring together people of different ages, genders, beliefs, cultural backgrounds, races and ethnicities. Creating a ,p>culture where people can work together cohesively and individuals flourish is vital to the success of every organisation.

Engaging Diversity forged a dynamic partnership between a leading training consultancy and 18 large-scale public and private employers to create a powerful diversity eLearning programme that would be deliverable and meaningful to high volumes of workers in Wales.

Ultimately, over 4,000 learners trialled the programme and now we’d like to share our conclusive findings and achievements with you at our 1 day conferences.

For training managers, HR Managers, diversity practitioners and anyone responsible for eLearning/ eLearning strategy, this conference will:-

• Provide you with a highly effective model and plenty of best practice ideas/ success stories
• Demonstrate how eLearning can build understanding of diversity issues in your workforce
• Show you how you to successfully engage a large and varied workforce with eLearning
• Introduce a dynamic hosted online learning platform for quick and easy implementation of your training

For policy makers and business strategists in Wales—if your work is concerned with the strategic development of learning, diversity or equality, this conference will:-

• Introduce a powerful bilingual diversity eLearning programme specifically created for audiences in Wales
• Demonstrate how the latest eLearning technology effectively changed attitudes and deepened understanding across large, multi-level workforces in Wales
• Show you a viable, cost effective approach for employers to embrace diversity, create effective working practices and meet current diversity legislation

See live demos and try out high impact online diversity modules

Join workshops on best practice for implementation and enhancing learning

Benefit from latest thinking of UK learning specialist, Dr John Fazey (University of Oxford)

“This programme has provided us with a firm foundation to develop an eLearning strategy.”