'Aberdeen - A Fair and Just City' Conference - 13th November 2007

European Year of Equal Opportunities for All 2007 The Aberdeen City Alliance

A One-Day Conference on Equalities and Regeneration
13th November 2007, Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre

Event Feedback

The Audience

'Aberdeen - A Fair and Just City' Conference
- 13th November 2007 at the AECC

2007 was the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All. In October the new Commission for Equalities and Human Rights was launched, which brought together the six equalities strands under the one Commission.

This event gave the chance for delegates:

Voices to be heard in setting the agenda around Equalities and Regeneration in Aberdeen.
To work with other organisations and groups to improve our practice.
Celebrate the successes in Equalities and Regeneration
To join up the approach to Equalities and Regeneration in the City

The outcome of this Conference marked the Year of Equal Opportunities for All and was the launch of a Joined-up Agenda for Action. Read the Programme.

This was an excellent and successful day with over 160 delegates. The evaluations were all very positive, with delegates reporting that they felt a sense of optimism that progress is being made and that the different equality and regeneration networks are connecting. With the exception of one presentation, the key speakers and the Chair were rated very highly by all.

Participants particularly commended the warm, welcoming and open environment of the World Café.

Full notes from the table discussions at the World Café on the issues raised and the Action Plans are available on request from Sandra Bruce, on (01224) 523039 or e-mail sandrab@aberdeencity.gov.uk

Key Action Points from the Conference to take to The Aberdeen City Alliance (TACA) included the need to:

Make equality visible in community planning
Ensure we deliver on our responsibilities to mainstream equality
Put in place the right structures and processes to make the mainstreaming of equality possible

Please click here to read the full paper which was presented to the Aberdeen City Alliance at the Stakeholders' conference 'Focus on Community Planning - Refreshing the Community Plan' on the 13th December 2007 at the AECC.

Evaluation forms indicated that there needs to be a means of carrying the momentum and enthusiasm from this Conference forward. To ensure that the outcomes from the conference are translated into action, the membership of the Council’s Equality Action Network has been broadened to include members of TACA and representatives of regeneration and communities of interest groups.

This means all will have a role in monitoring the delivery of Equality Schemes and Action Plans.

It was recognised that the conference would have been even better with the participation of the private sector and representative of TACA. Other learning points from the day included the need to

find a way round delegates not using their places through booking and not turning up e.g. deposits, booking fees, etc.
have speakers who are available to take questions and stress the need for them to follow agreed format and guidelines and to submit presentation a week before.
find a way of encouraging women to participate in Question & Answer session – invite questions to be submitted in advance of conference.