Cork East Fine Gael TD and Minister of State at the Department of Justice, David Stanton, launched the Diversity Charter in the Institute of Technology Blanchardstown (ITB) in Dublin yesterday.
The signing of the Diversity Charter is a voluntary commitment by signatories. In signing the Charter, organisations join their European counterparts in publically stating their commitment to diversity.
At the 7th EU Diversity Charters’ Annual Forum in Dublin Castle last October, the Institute signed this Charter on foot of recommendations by the Institute’s Diversity and Equality working group.
“In keeping with the other members who have signed it, the Institute continually seeks to improve diversity and equality competency which is why we are here today, to mark this event at the college and to raise awareness of the significance of the Charter.
“The Institute has a very diverse cohort of students and staff, reflecting the population of its locality which is home to one of the highest proportion of migrants nationwide with 16% of the student body being non-Irish nationals.
“Signing the Diversity Charter is the first step in a journey to put in place frameworks to ensure inclusion, prevent discrimination and promote equality within the Institute and embed these principles across the organisation. The Institute has also gained access to a network of organisations on a National and European level, with whom they can engage and share information to continue to develop best practice in managing diversity, prevent discrimination and promote equality.
“Although it is clear that Diversity is part of the DNA of the Institute, the time has now come to officially and explicitly state this and I wish them well in embedding the Diversity Charter in the Institute.”
