Our Equality Statement
We will, through our work and practice, actively promote the principle of the equality of all life. We recognise the equal value of individuals and the equal responsibility of all, to their best ability, to consider the perspectives and needs of others in making important decisions and choices.
We recognise that powerful, historically rooted, norms tend to create (in societies, communities and organisations) “in groups” and “others” – often with devastating consequences. We do indeed support the elimination of unfair and unlawful treatment to people on the grounds of their age, race, religion and beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, socio-economic circumstances and any other aspect of their identity.
The foundation of this commitment goes deeper that the question of discrimination: it is our belief in the deep interconnectedness and inter-being of all life. In all our work, we aim to promote the thinking and practice of truly recognising the right of “the other” – whoever that may be – to respect, dignity, compassion and a voice in matters affecting our mutual condition, whatever the outcome of particular situations. We recognise and value diversity in the context of this deeper understanding of equality. We recognise also that deeper equality and respect for diversity require a genuine willingness to find ways to include the widest range of people possible in access to decision-making, resources, power and influence.
Most of all, we promise to remember that the purpose of equality and diversity work is ultimately to bring people together, not separate them. It is to encourage willing engagement, the best anti-dote to fear of the “other”; and to do so in the spirit of equality and connection. It is to dignify every part of the greater whole so it can play its full part in the dance of life.